Developing smart energy systems for communities on the Isle of Wight
Smart energy systems are helping rural areas to deliver energy autonomy.
Project leader
Dates
February to July 2019
Sponsors
Partners
Isle of Wight Council, KnowNow Information Ltd, E.on Energy Solutions, University of Portsmouth
Description
We will investigate the development of a Virtual Power Network (VPN) and flexible marketplace on the Isle of Wight. This development will offer a variety of opportunities. It will create a local smart system. The system will allow the island to improve its local energy management and use. It will help the island to achieve its vision of energy autonomy.
The concept and design study will focus on the West Wight area. Mainly rural, the area contains approximately 15,000 households. A significant proportion (20%) are off-gas properties. We will investigate how consumers can utilise electricity in a smart way. The system will allow them to store and use electricity during periods of high renewable generation. Storage includes both thermal and electrical systems. This will reduce demand during low production periods.
The process is known as 'load shifting'. We will explore various means of achieving this, including:
- domestic systems which integrate rooftop PV, domestic battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) charging systems with the heating component
- public EV charging points which have variable tariffs depending on the amount of local generation available
- large battery storage systems connected to solar farms
Together, these solutions will ensure maximum power usage of real time renewable generation.