Island in Scotland to be First 100% Self-Sustaining Place on Earth

[eridani]

http://www.nationofchange.org/island-scotland-be-first-100-self-sustaining-place-earth-1392131918

Solar panels, wind turbines and hydroelectric schemes sprinkled across the island meet the energy requirements of almost all of its residents. With a $2.64 million electricity grid switched on back in 2008, operating independently of the UK’s national grid, the island wasn’t able to bring in big energy companies, so they did something unthinkable – they used their electricity economically – keeping consumption under 5 kilowatts, with a limit for businesses at 10 kilowatts.

The island also enjoys a wonderful geographic locale. It has abundant sun, and wind – what some would call ‘harsh’ weather conditions, but a phenomenon the islanders use to their benefit. They even have free heating in public spaces, like churches and their community center.

What’s even more shocking – the island is owned by its residents! In 1997 Eigg Islanders bought the farm – quite literally. Anyone who lives on the island for more than six months becomes a member of the resident committee that decides who things are run in their town

[Nay]

1. OK, I'm moving....Scotland is my ancestral home, so maybe

they'll take me back.....

[Demeter]

2. Much more useful and practical than the 1% Elitist Plan

for floating "countries" on ships in international waters...

[phantom power]

3. self sustaining, except for the rest of the planet they import their turbines and panels from

[kristopher]

4. Talk about straining at gnats...

You nuclear aficionados are becoming more obviously desperate by the day.

[OnlinePoker]

5. It's an island of 83 people with a density of 2.7 person per sq km

The article makes it sound like the island has a large resident population, which it doesn't. Based on the $2.64 million grid cost in '08, that comes to $31,807 per person. It would be difficult to expand this to the rest of Scotland (pop 5.313 million, density 174.1/sq km) or England (pop 53.012 million, density 407/sq km). The cost alone would be astronomical. Based on the same rate of $31,807 per person used on Eigg, the cost could be $168.99 Billion for Scotland and $1.686 Trillion for England. It's doubtful Eigg has any heavy industry (in fact, they rely on tourism and have small facilities geared towards that) so the ability to limit businesses in the rest of Great Britain to 10 kilowatts would be impossible.

[kristopher]

6. Yes, probably better to build a nuclear plant or use petroleum generators

[CFLDem]

8. LOL

Ya look at yoo wit all it all ur science an fancy book learnin an stuff... u sur u ain't usin dark magic?

[kristopher]

9. 'cepting it ain't very smart book learning at that, hain't it?

How much do you think the existing grid in the UK is valued at total with fuel costs for its operational lifespan?

[CFLDem]

10. No it ain't that fancy

Cuz it duzent account fer economy of scale an whutnot, I reckon.

Still it must be perty 'spensive to light up them city slickers with there industry an whutnot.

I guess the cow tips both ways on this 'un.

[muriel_volestrangler]

11. No mention of what they do for transport

and, in reality, they are currently at 85% from renewables, with a goal of 95%:

A few interesting facts … 38% of people on Eigg now own a bike, islanders produce a whopping 70% less plastic waste than homes on the mainland, 27% of homes have solar hot water, and in the last 3 years the cost of oil supplied to Eigg has increased by a massive 52%. Makes you think doesn’t it?

The simple steps, taken by people coming together in small groups – planting trees, growing veg, reducing waste and insulating homes, has developed into a renewable force to be reckoned with. On the 1st of February 2008 the Isle

of Eigg switched on their island electrification project for the first time. Until 2008 the islanders had been entirely dependent on diesel, coal and oil. The constant clattering generators have been replaced by renewable energy resources, making Eigg a world leader in integrating multiple renewable energy sources into a grid that supplies the whole island. Energy is generated from a number of renewable resources – hydro electric, wind and solar, the ultimate goal is for 95% of the islands electricity to come from renewables. A pretty ambitious target, but with 85% already coming from renewable sources and the determination and resourcefulness of islanders, it is within reach.
...
Now for the technical bit. The major renewable energy source is a 100kW Hydro Electric Generator. This is supported by two smaller Hydro Electric Generators of 5kW and 6kW, by four 6kW Wind Generators and by 50kW of Solar Electric Cells. Each of these sources has been sensitively sited to cause minimum visual and physical impact upon the island. The power generated at their remote locations is brought together and distributed to the households, businesses and community buildings on the island through 11km of buried high voltage cable. Two 80kW diesel generators have been installed to provide emergency back-up and to cover periods when the power generated from the renewable resources is less than demand.

http://www.energyshare.com/case-studies/eiggs-big-green-footsteps/

They're also going to experiment with flywheel technology with a Formula 1 company: http://caledonianmercury.com/2014/01/23/formula-1-technology-comes-to-the-western-isles/0044547

Really, they are neither 100% self-sustaining, nor, by the standard of the article, would they be ahead of Iceland, I think.

[NickB79]

12. Why did they build a grid in the first place?

For $2.64 million, no industry to speak of, and only 89 people on the entire island, you'd think it would have been far cheaper to subsidize every household into going completely off-grid with solar panels on the roofs, small home wind turbines, super-efficient appliances, tons of insulation and battery backups.

[muriel_volestrangler]

13. Small turbines are inefficient; solar is not feasible for Scottish winters

(December insolation for Glasgow is less than half that of Seattle; Eigg, further north, is probably even less)