Wind turbine in Alderney could save 700,000 litres of diesel a year

Wednesday 15 June 2022

A survey exploring Alderney’s power supply and storage options have shown “significant benefits” to the use of wind turbines, cutting diesel use by 700,000 litres a year and saving almost £400,000 in fuel costs.

At a States meeting last month, it was noted that the installation of a single, refurbished onshore wind turbine was the preferred short-term option for the island’s power supply options.

The study, conducted by ORE Catapult Development Services Ltd, assessed a hybrid mix of options for the island’s short, medium, and longer-term power sources, in line with the island’s strategic energy system objectives.

Pictured: Solar arrays are a potential for both short and medium-term power supply options in Alderney. 

The objectives include minimising the cost of energy, reducing, or mitigating energy supply risks and minimising or eliminating the use of carbon emitting energy sources. The island is currently dependent on fossil fuels for power.

Speaking at the States' meeting last month, William Abel explained: “The use of fossil fuels is subject to global market price fluctuations. It utilises an ageing shipping fleet, for transporting and importing the required fuel, potentially leading to further increased costs.

“This produces a large carbon footprint at a time when the developed nations are transitioning to net zero greenhouse gas emissions to combat the effects of climate change.”

The study showed that a short-term (up to ten years) option was the use of land-based wind turbines. The cost of energy produced by a wind turbine was projected to be “50% or less” of the current fuel cost component (FCC) of islander’s bills.

The siting of a wind turbine and its visual impact would need to be assessed and the community would be given the chance to be involved in the consultation process.

Modelling indicated that the wind turbine could displace approximately 700,000 litres of diesel per year saving almost £400,000 in diesel fuel costs. It was suggested in the States’ meeting that this could be funded through a competitive tender, whereby Alderney offers to fund the project via an agreed power purchase agreement.

“The turbine would be owned and operated by a private developer, who would also fund the initial capital cost and ongoing maintenance. With this scenario we estimate that approximately £200,000 of the fuel cost savings could be retained to use for other initiatives or to offset consumer bills,” said a States’ spokesperson.

Pictured: It was noted at the States' meeting that Alderney has "significant tidal stream resources within its territorial waters".

Other short-term options considered in the survey were improved insulation, particularly for older island properties, and solar arrays.

The expansion of any solar array was also included in the medium-term (10-20 years) options, although it was noted that increased power storage would also be required.

The study noted a need for “further evaluation” into the use of solar-thermal panels for hot water and ground or air heat pumps for central heating.

The long-term options (20+ years) referenced the “global ‘push’ to develop hydrogen as the energy source of the future”.

However, it was noted that the “current cost of producing hydrogen and very large size of any storage may negate its use in the foreseeable future for Alderney".

Pictured: A "single, refurbished onshore wind turbine" was the preferred option for the short-term. 

The spokesperson said: “For the long-term scenario focus shifts to the potential of the hydrogen production industry. The production of green hydrogen (produced using only renewable energy) is expected to increase dramatically and dominate the market by 2050.

“Hydrogen production may provide the key for Alderney to unlock the significant tidal stream resources within its territorial waters and perhaps remove heating system reliance on fossil fuels.”