The Scilly Isles also known as the Isles of Scilly are a small archipelago some 30 miles off the southwest corner of Britain. The 2,300 inhabitants rely on imported fossil fuel for their energy. That’s because there is no economic justification for an undersea cable. Now it seems the residents have made a smart move.
Hitachi Teams Its Smart Energy with the Scilly Isles
Hitachi is on a social innovation mission in terms of its goal to respond to societal issues. The Council of the Scilly Isles made a smart move when it accepted the offer to be part of the Hitachi’s Smart Energy Island project.
The European Regional Development Fund agreed to underwrite the project in conjunction with two UK smart home technology companies. Their goal is to demonstrate that smart technology can get greater efficiency from renewable energy generation. This fits in with Hitachi’s goal to be part of ‘decarbonising the economy’. We like that term!
10% of Isles of Scilly Homes Have Smart Energy Improvements
Solar panels rated at 450kw overall made their appearance on roofs of council homes, a fire station, the recycling facility and the desalination plant the summer that just passed. Moreover, a ‘solar garden’ is on the cards for the airport.
The results are impressive. A hundred Scilly Isles homes have energy management systems saving 450 tons of CO2 every year. A further 10 are piloting additional smart energy technologies including air source heat pumps, and smart batteries. Moreover, the remaining 90% of households will also benefit. That’s because the Isles of Scilly Community Venture will distribute the surplus greener power to them at a special tariff.
The Isles of Scilly are the supposed location of Tristan’s home in the Tales of King Arthur. Much powerful magic was worked there in those legendary days, they say. Now it seems a greener future is materializing there too.
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Preview Image: Scilly Isles from International Space Station
