A £28.5M project is aiming to turn Orkney into the UK’s first “smart energy island”, by eliminating the use of all fossil fuels.

The ReFLEX (Responsive Flexibility) Orkney project will use new energy technology, including domestic and large-scale batteries, vehicle to grid chargers, electric buses and e-bike schemes, and an industrial-scale hydrogen fuel cell.

It is hoped the project will eventually eliminate the need for fossil fuels on the island.

“FlexiGrid” software is also being deployed to manage the island’s renewable energy grid and charge batteries to be installed across the island.

The archipelago is already hosting many trial projects, including wind and marine energy schemes.

The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) – which is leading the project – already manages a marine energy testing site off the cost of the islands which form one of premier sites in the world for testing new tidal-stream technology.

The “smart energy island” project is being part funded by UKRI through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund and private funding.

Energy and clean growth minister Claire Perry said the island was testing what could become the future energy system for the entirety of the UK.

“These smart systems are a key part of our modern Industrial Strategy and will provide cheaper, greener and more flexible access to energy for everyone,” she said. ”What we learn from these innovations could one day be rolled out across the UK and exported around the world and we’ll be able to say it was ‘Made in Orkney’.”

EMEC managing director Neil Kermode added: “This new model will demonstrate how we can better interact with, own and manage our integrated energy systems locally, both at individual and community level.

“Fifty per cent of the project is being funded privately, indicating the appetite that exists within the partners to make this project work. Orkney has already demonstrated high commitment for local sustainable energy solutions and the county is well on its way to decarbonising each aspect of the energy system.

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