Folk invited to join online talk on storing and using renewable energy
STORING locally generated renewable energy and how that can deliver greater benefits for communities will be the basis of an online talk later this month.
UHI North, West and Hebrides will bring together international experts on Wednesday 26 August to discuss the topic in Stornoway.
Taking place both in person and online from 9.30am to 4.30pm, the day will explore how communities can use energy storage to maximise the value of renewable electricity they generate.
There will be a particular focus on the role of battery and hydrogen energy storage systems in supporting resilient, community-scale renewable energy projects.
UHI North, West and Hebrides said the conference comes at a time when communities are increasingly looking at how renewable energy can deliver local benefits, against a backdrop of growing concerns over energy security and the risk of shortages.
Delegates will have the opportunity to hear from experts and explore a range of topics including community energy storage, battery systems, hydrogen technologies, renewable energy integration, community-scale project planning and future opportunities for local energy.
The conference is open to anyone interested in the future of community energy.
Head of strategic projects at UHI North, West and Hebrides, Joe Macphee, said the aspiration was to give small community groups “greater control over how the renewable energy they generate is utilised”.
“While the primary focus of this conference is the Western Isles, where remote geography, grid constraints and high energy costs create both challenges and opportunities for community-led energy systems, the issues being addressed have much wider relevance,” he said.
“This conference will address these challenges by bringing together leading academics to present state-of-the-art technologies that could enable small-scale producers to store energy more effectively and develop innovative applications for surplus generation.
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“By fostering collaboration between researchers, community organisations and other stakeholders, the event will explore practical pathways towards more resilient, affordable and locally controlled energy systems.”
The conference will be held in person at UHI North, West and Hebrides in Stornoway, with an online option available.
You can register for a free place online here.
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