Renewable energy on the Isle of Man

In 2010, Tynwald promised the Isle of Man would produce 15% of its electricity from renewables by 2015 The Environment Minister decided reducing all CO2 emissions by 10% in 2010 was impractical But that producing 15% of electricity from renewables by 2015 was fully achievable This action will lead to significant reductions in CO2 emissions Tynwald

Overwhelming evidence of rapid global warming Little doubt climate change is man-made Created by burning fossil fuels (e.g. oil, coal and gas), which are rich in carbon dioxide (CO2) Fossil fuels have supported economic growth and ever- improving lifestyles Unfortunately theres been a cost Climate change

Climate change will lead to more extreme weather events, including: oChanges to weather patterns oExcessive heat oHeavier rain oFlooding oAnd stronger winds For future generations to inherit a planet worth living on, we must take radical action Theres general global consensus on the need to reduce CO2 by 80% by 2050 Our 15:15 renewables target is just a first step Impact of climate change

Three ways to face climate change: 1.Deny it, as some do 2.Fear it & either bury our heads in the sand or complain that the end is nigh, as some do 3.Fully embrace the opportunities climate change presents This is an exciting time – we must reinvent the processes we rely on This means new economic growth, driven by a green industrial revolution How to view climate change

Oil takes millions of years to form Peak oil is when global demand for oil outstrips supply At this point prices will rise … … and then rise a lot more IEA has said well hit peak oil in 2020 Many believe it's already here The price of oil affects everything because oil is used to make almost everything Price inflation is closely linked to oil price Just as the Stone Age & Bronze Age ended – the Oil Age will end Peak oil

Most electricity on the Isle of Man is now generated from natural gas But peak oil will lead to increased competition & demand for gas This will push gas prices higher While the Isle of Mans impact on climate change may be small, the impact of global climate change policy and peak oil and gas on the Isle of Man will be LARGE Gas

The Exeter University Report (April 2009) The wind resource on the IoM is excellent A wind-hydrogen site at the Point of Ayre would yield excellent financial returns.

Mott MacDonald Report to MEA (April 2009) Positive: Onshore wind farm would provide fuel savings of £3.2 million per year Negative: Shadow capacity requirements, additional maintenance costs & reduced trading opportunities would total £1.5 million per year Balance: Net fuel cost benefit of wind farm would be £1.7 million per year (prices based on gas prices reaching 80p/therm ) Technical and Economic Appraisal for Onshore Wind Generation £££££

AEA Technology was commissioned by Tynwalds Energy & Climate Change Committee They looked at costs, benefits & impacts of renewable & low-carbon energy options for IoM Renewable energy will play an important role in a clean, green, sustainable future This will make us less dependent on foreign energy And will make us less vulnerable to global price inflation The AEA Report (Nov. 2010) : 1

AEA report considered …. o Onshore wind o Offshore wind o Biomass o Anaerobic digestion o Wave o Tidal Current o Tidal lagoon o Hydro, solar and other small scale options Report found that our best short-term options are onshore wind, biomass & greater energy efficiency The AEA Report: 2

Fast growing crops like willow can be grown as biomass When harvested the crop is dried, pelletised & burned to generate heat & power The process is more or less carbon neutral – biomass emits only the CO2 absorbed while growing Biomass is burned in on-site boilers The DEFA building is biomass powered The prison & hospital could convert to biomass A biomass power station could power an estate Biomass

AEA Report said IoM could produce 31,800 oven dry tonnes (odts) of biomass material annually The Government estate only accounts for 6,500 odt The other 25,300 odts refers to farmland This equates to around 10% of all farmland on the Island But, if Government guaranteed biomass price for five years, some farmers might take the opportunity At a push, we might produce equivalent of 5% of electricity from biomass by 2015 Biomass logistics

Energy efficiency is crucial Around a third of all energy is used in the home Insulation is a large opportunity to save energy In the past there were grants for insulation Around two-thirds of homes are still inadequately insulated Energy efficiency

The 15:15 target can only be achieved by including energy from an onshore wind farm A single 20 MW onshore wind farm, with 7 – 10 turbines, would produce around 12% of the Isle of Mans electricity Wind is clean, affordable and reliable Onshore wind energy for the Isle of Man

Wind farm is planned for 2015 Key partners are ECCC, MEA, wind farm developers & landowners In 12 – 18 months: wind speed data collection In 12 – 18 months: appointment of a preferred developer The preferred site will be selected After which there will be full public consultation Where are we now?

Were concerned the general election could throw this important process off course Especially if new MHKs and DEFA & DoI ministers dont understand about: oClimate change & peak oil oRenewable energy oElectricity supply oThe lengthy process already undertaken The general election

MEA makes a deal with a wind farm developer Developer builds wind farm at its own expense MEA buys electricity from the developer at an agreed rate Then the MEA sells it to us Three options: EITHER as an opt-in Green Tariff aimed at businesses & green-minded people oSeveral companies ( incl. M&S and Co-op ) have policies to use renewable electricity oMany individual families would choose a Green Tariff for ethical reasons oThe Green Tariff could cost about four pence extra per unit Paying for the wind farm: 1

OR costs would be shared across all electricity users oSpread across everyone, the price of electricity would increase by about half-a-penny per unit, at todays prices oThis small increase would protect against much larger increases when peak oil bites & theres general global inflation oInsulation incentives could help reduce what we pay for electricity The third option would be a combination of the first two schemes, with lower prices in both categories Paying for the wind farm: 2

Onshore wind energy will stay here It will be bought by the MEA & distributed through existing infrastructure Future offshore wind energy will probably be sold to the UK Where will the energy go?

Wind is intermittent, but PREDICTABLE Wind turbines generate power for around 65% of the time & are exceptionally efficient Sometimes there is no wind, but over the years, turbines produce about 30% of their designs maximum output One 20 Mw on-shore wind farm would produce around 12% of our electricity each year (The exact amount will depend where its finally located) Intermittency

Reserve power sources kick in with zero disruption to electricity supply Electricity systems are already made up of a number of power sources They are designed to cope efficiently if one goes out of action Switching is so fast it doesnt affect clocks or hospital equipment Our wind farm will be grid-connected without significant changes to MEA infrastructure, except the need for shadow capacity What happens when the wind stops blowing?

The worlds first commercial- scale marine turbine is being trialled at Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland It began producing power in 2008 The Strangford turbine is working in shallow water Manx territorial waters could be leased for research and development of deep water turbines Is tidal & wave power an option for the Isle of Man? 1.

AEA report says tidal & wave power are years away from being practical in Manx waters Deep water technology is new & relatively untested Perhaps in 10 or 20 years time At the moment they would require massive investment In the meantime, winds proven technology means equipment can be manufactured more cheaply Is tidal & wave power an option for the IoM?

In due course, well need both on- & off-shore wind farms to meet the necessary CO2 reduction targets Our 15% renewables target is just the first step on a long road 80% CO2 reductions are needed by 2050 Its important to play our part in averting global climate chaos This means employing every possible source of renewable energy Why dont we put all the wind turbines out at sea?

RSPB supports a significant growth in offshore & onshore wind power generation in the UK Britain has tight wildlife planning rules that control where wind turbines are built RSPB has examined hundreds of applications in the UK & approved 93% of them Consequently bird deaths from modern British wind farms are rare ( On the other hand, bird deaths from cars, cats, & windows are frequent ) Are wind turbines dangerous for birds?

If sited close to foraging routes, collision or other harm might be possible Natural England recommends 50m between turbines & foraging routes Developers ensure bats are led away from the turbines, e.g. by planting new hedgerows Are wind turbines dangerous for bats?

There are strict guidelines on wind turbines and noise emissions In certain wind conditions, some of the bigger turbines make a pulsing noise and so are more suitable in moorland situations You can usually stand beneath a turbine & hold a conversation without raising your voice The small amount of noise is usually drowned out by the sound of roads, streams, or the wind itself Are wind turbines noisy?

Turbines are painted the average colour of the sky: matt light grey Our turbines could have rotor diameters of up to 65m Size will depend on the chosen site Wind turbines construction The carbon cost of manufacture and installation would be paid back within 6 – 8 months.

Polls in the British Isles show a clear majority of people in favour of wind farms Only 1 in 20 people are against wind farms Once wind farms are built, local people find them much less of a problem than they had earlier expected A MORI poll in Scotland showed 80% of tourists would be interested in visiting a wind farm Developers are often asked to provide a visitor centre, viewing platforms & rights of way to sites Wind farms are popular with farmers – they get paid rent & can still use the land for growing crops or grazing livestock Wind turbine opinions

We need to get serious about …. o climate change o phasing-out fossil fuels o using all currently available renewable technology o adding newer clean technologies a.s.a.p. a cleaner, greener energy mix for the Isle of Man Conclusions

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