Post on 05-Jul-2016
Power of the people Public awareness and involvement in renewable energy in Scotland The renewables scene in Scotland is dynamic, with new projects, funding and other support packages being announced at an ever increasing rate. :,-I: :: “_ ‘.‘:,‘,f, .:k.:3;:l~‘- , Environmental Consultant and
z.,. ..i, Development Manager of the Scottish Renewables Forum look at developments from the perspective of public aware- ness and how improving understanding, and providing informa- tion and opportunities for more local involvement can facilitate development of projects large and small. They provide selected examples of projects and initiatives that are working towards improving public awareness of renewable energy in Scotland.
Scotland has vast renewable energy require resolving technical issues related to
resources - some of the best in Europe and grid capacity and stability, as well as better
the world, and should easily surpass its cur- public understanding and involvement in
rent 18 percent renewables target by 2010, projects large and small. Scotland currently
and longer-term ambitions of 30 percent generates around 13 percent of its electrici-
and beyond. Meeting these targets will ty from renewable sources: 11 percent from
hydropower, and around 2 percent from
other renewables. Much of the country’s
hydropower capacity was built between the
1920s and 1960s with development of the
‘newer’ renewables from the 1930s onwards
with government support from the Scottish
Renewables Obligation. These new renew-
ables comprise mainly windfarms, landfill
gas power stations and small hydro
schemes. There is also a chicken litter plant,
the world’s first commercial wave power
plant, and a number of individual or com-
munity based schemes. The country is also
poised to further develop offshore wind and
wave projects.
The UK’s energy policy is under review
and consultation, with the Government’s
statement on its future approach due
towards the end of this year. Renewables
are expected to make a substantial and
accelerated contribution, with Scotland
capable of meeting up to 75 percent of the
UK’s total needs due to its very large
resource. A more balanced approach in
future should also see a wider range of
renewables technologies and projects large
and small.
Public opinion and attitude surveys The predominance of large-scale, develop-
er-led projects to date has contributed to
difficulties associated with local accep-
tance. Early large scale hydropower
projects were subject to much controversy
and opposition from local communities,
landowners, and special interest groups -
much as large scale windpower develop-
ments are today - however they have
over time come to be widely accepted
and it is expected rhat the ‘new’ renewables
will too.
26 September/October 2002 REF C&:5 www.re-focus.net
FEATURE - POWER OF THE PEOPLE
Surveys conducted by organisations such
as RoyaI Society for the Protecrion of Birds
(RSPB) and Greenpeace show high levels of
support for renewable energy develop-
ments, with acceptance levels for technolo-
gies such as windpower and hydro much
higher than for coal and nuclear generation.
Public artitudes to windfarms have been
widely documented over a decade and con-
sistently show a clear majority in f&our of
wind energy. Yet while there may be agree-
ment with wind energy in principle,
NIMBY-ism (Not In My Backyard) can
sometimes prevail at a local level. A recent
Scottish Executive research study carried
around four Scottish windfarms supported
the findings of previous studies, and also
concluded that the majority of residents did
not experience any problems and the prob-
lems they anticipated did not materialise in
the vast majority of cases.
Industry commenrators generally note
that Scotland has a grearer understanding of
the benefits of renewable energy than other
parts of the UK. There is an appreciation of
the environmental benefits, and with major
Scottish companies now involved in manu-
facturing and development, an increasing
realisation that there are substantial jobs to
be had from renewable energy. The support
of Highlands and Islands Enterprise is
indicative of how Scotland is moving to
capitalise on renewables to bring new man-
ufacturing jobs. Support for Vestas-Celtic to
set up its assembly plant in Campbeltown,
development of the Marine Energy Test
Centre in the Orkney Islands, and the tak-
ing on of the lease of Arnish fabrication
yard on the Isle of Lewis so that the yard can
bid for wind and wave development work,
shows the commitment of the agency to act
as a catalyst to this growing industry.
Such targeted support builds on a 2001
study Highlands and Islands Enterprise
commissioned from ERM Energy and
ETSU. This showed that renewable energy
could bring up to 3,800 direct jobs and
4,400 indirect jobs, t500million of inward
investment and between E28 and f129 mil-
lion of electricity revenues.
Tourism and recreation Scotland is renowned for its landscape and
scenery, and tourism and recreation, which
depend on precisely these features, are
important to local economies in many
areas. Concerns have been expressed that
renewables projects will adversely affect
tourism, yet it is people living in these often
remote communities who stand to benefit
Enrthship Eye. A demonstration and community education faciliy which aims to tzrise awawties and he& tackle
many oftbe social and institutional barriers facing the implementution of sustainable building and renewable ” _ energy technologies at this scale
most from the significant opportunities for
economic regeneration that these projects
bring. Opinions are divided and there is lit-
tle evidence to support the view that renew-
able energy projects adversely affect tourism
and recreational activities. Rather, evidence
on the ground shows that tourists respond
positively to renewable energy, and Scottish
projects are increasing people’s positive
views of local areas and Scotland as a whole.
Developer-led projects Most reputable developers incorporate pub-
lic consultation and exhibitions into the
project development and environmental
assessment process. This process of local
consultation allows people to learn about
renewable energy technologies and their
benefits, and to have their views and local
knowledge influence the project design.
Opinion surveys taken during public exhi-
bitions at proposed windfarm sites reflect
the findings of other independent surveys,
with very high proportions of exhibition
visitors supporting renewable energy
development as well as local projects.
ScottishPower proposals for two large wind-
farms close to the central belt of Scotland,
where the majority of the country’s popula-
tion is concentrated, provide examples of
this approach, and also include pIans for
visitor and recreation facilities. Whitelee
Windfarm will include a visitor centre pro-
viding information and displays on renew-
able energy and sustainable development,
and greater public access through provision
of footpaths and cycle-ways. The outline
plans show the centre will have a caf6 and
meeting facilities, changing rooms for run-
ners and cyclists, and an electric tour bus.
Black Law Windfarm will restore a large
area of abandoned open-cast coal mine,
improve the local environment, and provide
an educational visitor centre and bird
reserve at the site.
Community and island-based projects Local community schemes, the exception
rather than the norm in Scotland and the
UK to date, are seen as important in raising
awareness and creating further economic
and employment benefits as well as tackling
social issues such as fuel poverty. The
remote highIands and islands of Scotland
with their excellent wind and wave
resources, but in many areas no grid con-
nection or insufficient capacity, provide sig-
nificant opportunities for such schemes.
Many @grid Scottish islands can benefit fi-om renewables
September/October 2002 REFOCUS www.re-focus.net 27
FEATURE - POWER
lslay renewable and hydrogen power supply The island of Islay off the west coast of
Scotland supports a population of around
3,000. Electricity demand is supplied by a
sea-cable connection to the mainland grid
via a nearby Island, a 6.2MW standby diesel
generator and the world’s first commercial
wave power station - Wavegen’s 500 kW
LIMPET oscillating water column device.
Plans are now being developed to meet all of
the island’s needs from renewables within
five years - including the energy intensive
whiskey distilling industry. The overall
scheme will incorporate wind, wave and
tidal power and energy crops. It will also
include hydrogen production and fuel cell
technology to power everything from elec-
tric vehicles to public and residential build-
ings. The project provides an excellent
opportunity to demonstrate a hydrogen
future and how a range of renewables and
associated technologies can be matched to
variety of needs. The pOWhtd for
replication on other European islands will
also be investigated.
Two 26kW turbines on Muck (courtesy of Ingenco Ltd)
OF THE PEOPLE
Aerial view of Murk
Isle of Muck wind diesel system The 38 islanders on Muck, a small island off
the west coast, have no grid connection and
prior to installation of their new wind-diesel
power system in 1999, relied on diesel gen-
erators for all their electricity needs. The
new system, comprising two 26kW turbines
with a back-up diesel generator, supplies 19
homes, the local primary school and other
island buildings. Householders are notified
by telemetry of excess capacity and have the
option of heating storage heaters. The
scheme has improved conditions for the
islanders and reduced their electricity costs
from 14 to 4 pence/kWh. There are a num-
ber of remote Scottish islands and mainland
communities that could benefit from
autonomous schemes such as this.
Earthships and community education The Earthship Fife Project is a demonstra-
tion and community education facility
which aims to raise awareness and help tack-
le many of the social and institutional barri-
ers facing the implementation of sustainable
building and renewable energy technologies
at this scale. The Earthship concept is a very
low impact building, which incorporates
passive solar design, renewable energy sys-
tems, rainwater catchment and sustainable
sewage treatment systems. Its most innova-
tive feature is the use of used car tyres to
form high thermal mass exterior walls.
Over 2000 earthships have been built in the
USA and worldwide and effectively provide
comfortable and low costs homes in areas
remote from mains services. Earthship Fife,
the first earthship in Scotland and the UK,
is currently under construction and due for
completion later this year. Its hybrid renew-
able system incorporates wind, hydro, solar
PV and hot water. The building and its sys-
tems will provide an educational resource
for visitors from across Scotland including
community groups, students, teachers,
architects, builders and planners. It will also
be available to research institutions and stu-
dents for project and monitoring studies.
The Scottish Communities Renewables Initiative Many more of these kind of projects and
increasing public awareness are likely to be
realised under an expanding range of gov-
ernment support and funding packages for
small scale and community based renew-
ables projects. This includes grants for solar
PV, wind and bioenergy schemes. The new
Scottish Community Renewables Initiative
is currently being set up to bring help and
advice closer to communities and to let peo-
ple know what grants are available and how
they can access support. It will work
through an extended network of advice cen-
tres and development workers across the
country to encourage and support commu-
nity organisations to develop renewables
projects in villages, community centres,
schools, hospitals, offices, and farms.
It will expand the role of the existing
Energy Efficiency Advice Centres to form a
network of sustainable energy advice centres
across Scotland. These centres have to date
focused on providing mainly energy saving
advice and information, but without a par-
ticular remit for, or expertise to respond to,
the significant number of renewable energy
enquiries now received. The South West
Scotland Energy Efficiency Advice Centre
(SWSEEAC) has been particularly pro-active
in its three years’ of operation. It has hosted a
Renewables Roadshow and has been promot-
ing national funding schemes such as the PV
Demonstration Programme and the Scottish
Clean Energy Demonstration Scheme, and
has liaised with the local enterprise company
to offer grants for rural businesses to install
small-scale wind, hydro, and PV systems.
28 September/October 2002 REF www.re-focus.net
FEATURE - POWER OF THE PEOPLE
Scottish Forum
Renewables
The Scottish Renewables Forum (SRF) has
been active since 1996 working across all
sectors to promote the economic environ-
mental and social benefits of using
Scotland’s renewables resource. SRF is
now Scotland’s leading renewables organi-
sation, with members ranging from indi-
vidual developers to plcs. It also has mem-
bers from the different renewables tech-
nologies, so is able to speak on behalf of all
current and emerging renewables technolo-
gies. In its life, SRF has been closely
involved in the development of the Scottish
renewables industry, putting the views of
industry to Government and supporting
work to make Scotland the prime area for
development of renewables in the UK.
According to Dr Richard Yemm, Chairman
of SRF, and the Director of leading wave
company Ocean Power Delivery, “The
work of SRF shows that all renewables can
be supported in a complementary way, and
the success of the Forum reflects the
strength of the Scottish renewables sector
at the moment. While south of the border
there is doubt about how UK targets are
being met, in Scotland companies are busy
getting on with meeting the Scottish objec-
tive for 18 percent by 2010”.
SRF runs regular events and seminars and
publishes consultations, briefings and
newsletters, and is developing information
services for the wider public through its sis-
ter organization - ReNEW Scotland. In
November SRF will be hosting “Renewable
Communities” - a conference especially for
community groups and planned to coincide
with the launching of the Scottish
Communities Renewables Initiative. The
conference aim is to assist communities in
developing projects for themselves, and to
encourage better links and joint-working
with commercial renewable directors. As
Richard Yemm notes, “Involvement of
communities is crucial if we are to see small,
medium as well as large projects being
developed in Scotland. Communities can
benefit through new income, jobs and
diversification, and our event plans to take
them through the steps they need to take to
make projects actually happen.”
Conclusions This is a dynamic and exciting time for
renewables in Scotland, and despite some
local opposition and NIMBY-ism, there
is a high level of support and increasing
interest in project development. The
selected case studies and initiatives
South West Scotland Renewable Energy Advice Centre launch
(Photo courtesy of South West Scotland Energy Eficienry Advice Ceztre)
outlined here provide examples of innova-
tion and good practice and illustrate the
progress being made towards co-ordinated
awareness raising across Scotland.
Information provision to the general
public in the past has been fragmented
and often inconsistent - even misleading
or biased in the case of earlier windfarm
developments. It is essential that informa-
tion on renewables in general, and on spe-
cific support and funding packages is dis-
seminated widely and consistently to
inform opinion and facilitate positive
action.
References Born, F., Bronsdon, C., Johnstone, C.M.
(Scottish Energy and Environment
Foundation), Armstrong, B. (Scottish
Enterprise), Beveridge, J., MacRae, M. (Islay
Development Company), Clarke, J.A.,
McDonald, J. (University of Strathclyde):
Strategy and Technology Deployment for
Achieving 100% Renewable Energy Supply
for the Island of Islay.
ERM Energy (2001) Renewable Energy:
The Potential Benefits to the Highlands and
Islands.
Hill, A (2001) Trends in public opinion,
BWEA23 October 2001
System Three Social Research for the
Scottish Executive Central Research
Unit Development Department (2000):
Research Programme Research Findings
No.93 Public Attitudes Towards Wind
Farms in Scotland
Contacts Janice McLaughlin, Freelance
Environmental Consultant and writer, 22
Keith Street, Kincardine on Forth, Fife,
FKlO 4ND, United Kingdom. Tel. +44 (0)
1259 731711; Fax. +44 (0) 1259 731711;
E-mail:Janice.McLaughlin@on-edie.net
Maf Smith, Development Manager,
Scottish Renewables Forum, The e-Centre,
Cooperage Way, Alloa, FKlO 3LP, United
Kingdom. Tel. +44 (0) 1259 272117; Fax.
+44 (0) 1259 272118; E-mail:
maf.smith@scottishrenewables.com; Web
site: wwwscottishrenewablescom
Orkney
Fife
Map of Scotland illustrating locations of renewable energy
projects referred to in this article
September/October 2002 REFOCUS www.re-focus.net 29