The advent of Eiggtricity in 2008
A new, very, very niche market for computers could emerge on the Hebridean isle of Eigg. The 87 islanders (37 houses and 10 businesses) are not only celebrating a decade of independence, since they purchased their home from its former German owner in a £1.5m landmark community buy-out in 1997, but will now be connected to a mains electricity system for the first time.
2008 will see the Hebridean isle of Eiggnet networked to a £1.5m triple, solar, wind and hydro generating station. Connection to “Eiggtricity” was hoped to arrive before Christmas, but weather and other commissioning issues delayed the big switch-on into the New Year.
For Eigg’s newest resident, Saira Renny - whose cottage relies on bottled gas, the celebration will be in the form of " an electricity party. I will be literally coming out of the dark ages,” she is reported as saying.
The islanders – through connection charges or the Heritage Trust - have donated close on £100,000 to the scheme. Most of the other money has come from the EU - through its regional development programme, together with the National Lottery and the Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company.
Neighbouring island Muck, also using green energy to give the island mains electric, has suffered a series of disasters and much of last winter the 35 islanders had to do without electricity five hours-a-day to save money. The wind-turbine scheme was described as a technological “disaster zone” with the 60ft high equipment broken for months.
Eigg residents who have had to use their own diesel and small hydro-powered generators to power their homes, have learned from these problems. At the heart of the Eigg Electric Ltd scheme will be five wind turbines producing 75kw supplemented by 9.9kW solar energy panels and three hydro generating systems, providing the balance of 113kW, supported by stand-by diesel generator and batteries to guarantee continuous availability of power.
The combined solar, wind and hydro power should provide a network that is self sufficient and powered 98% from renewable sources. In a life without electric kettles, toasters, where TV is a luxury, and interruptible electricity requirements limits computers to battery-sustained laptops while freezers defrost if the hydro power goes off overnight, the advent of Eiggtricity in 2008 will change many things.
Source: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/29893/Island-comes-out-of-the-dark-ages-for-2008