ReFLEX Orkney is pioneering an integrated, affordable, low-carbon energy system for the future.
ReFLEX (Responsive Flexibility) originated as a demonstrator project to build an ‘integrated energy system’ (IES) to coordinate and combine multiple energy assets across electricity, transport and heat. The £28.5 million project was based here in Orkney, Scotland.
Funded by UKRI through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, the project was led by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) with cross-sector partners including Aquatera, SMS, Community Energy Scotland, Heriot-Watt University and Orkney Islands Council.
The project aimed to interlink local electricity, transport and heat networks into one controllable, overarching system, digitally connecting distributed and variable renewable generation to flexible demand.
Flexible energy technologies
At the heart of the project was the demonstration of flexibility (the ability to modify electricity generation and consumption patterns in response to variability) using technologies like battery storage, electric vehicles, smart chargers and smart meters.
We aimed to offer these technologies to local households and businesses through leases and other financing, which meant that local participants avoided large upfront costs and, in turn, helped further the ReFLEX mission to decarbonise Orkney.
The project also aimed to initiate larger-scale and community-focused initiatives such as electric buses, a local electric car club and the integration of green hydrogen for storage and transport.
Benefits of a localised integrated energy system
The integrated energy system delivered by ReFLEX sought to help:
- maximise the potential of Orkney's significant renewable generation capabilities by storing more electricity,
- ensure higher quality and more affordable energy services,
- lower the county’s carbon footprint by decreasing reliance on imported carbon-intensive energy from the UK mainland.
Local project = global impact
Once demonstrated and proven in Orkney, it is expected that the IES model and associated integrated energy service supply framework will be replicated in other areas across the UK and internationally.
This would mean long-term export opportunities for the ReFLEX project partners and would help create more flexible and renewable-based energy systems across the globe.
