The Friendly Brown EggNov 23, 2022
Isle of Eigg
Eigg isn't connected to the UK national grid. Instead we generate 90% to 95% of our electricity from wind, sun, & water (hydro). Community-owned Eigg Electric was switched on in 2008. Islanders are trained and employed to manage it. Electricity costs 28p per unit/kWh. Before 2008 each property had its own diesel generator. Now we have 24kW of wind, 110kW of hydro, 170kW of solar PV, storage batteries, and a back up generator. Next challenge is #netzero #renewables #eigg http://isleofeigg.org/eigg-electric/
Eigg Electric - The Isle of Eigg

Eigg is not connected to the mainland electricity supply.  After decades of diesel generators, Eigg Electric provided 24 hour power for the first time in February 2008.  Eigg Electric is a community owned, managed and maintained company which provides electricity for all island residents from the renewable sources of water, sun, and wind.   No more pouring smelly […]

The Isle of Eigg
Nov 22, 2022 at 11:12pmWeb
Show threadBobby MotherwellNov 22, 2022
@isleofeigg can I come and live there please?
Show threadMIKEY_HNov 22, 2022

@isleofeigg have to say that's damned impressive. Guessing, as a result, you're pretty much shielded from the insanity of a government pushing dirty and costly fossil fuel and nuclear energy options?

Would love to see much more local (federated) energy production and distribution coming online. There's too much power in the hands of too few large greedy corporations.

Show threadIsle of EiggNov 22, 2022
@mikeyh #localenergy #localpower πŸ˜ƒ
Show threadHearachNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg this is beyond brilliant πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ» in Harris a lot of people rely on oil fired boilers and the price of heating and electricity has rocketed, there was meant to be a #Hydro project but it got shelved and a lot of small individual turbines can’t cope with the winter weather so break quickly and are too expensive for small groups to repair. However, It just goes to show how a #community with the right people can make a big difference, well done!
Show threadIsle of EiggNov 23, 2022
@hearach thank you πŸ˜ƒ
Show threadKevin LoNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg how's the ground level wind at 10m there?
Show threadIsle of EiggNov 23, 2022
@klo I guess it depends on what time of year... it varies. But that's the beauty of having three options for generating power - if it's not windy, it's probably daylight.. or raining etc
Show threadKevin LoDec 8, 2022
@isleofeigg it's great to have that level of redundancy!
Show threadJames Tweedie (has moved)Nov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg An excellent example and template for others to follow. I know the #KnoydartFoundation also generates its own power (hydro) and is independent of the national grid, and other community hydro schemes but which are connected to the national grid.
Show threadbartholinNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg The isle of egg?
Show threadHattieNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg this is very impressive and proves that it can be done!
Show threadπŸŒβ€™s PaceNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg
Good on you, Eigg! This is so interesting, I had no idea you were independently owned, and doing quite well, thank you very much!
Show threadMartin SullivanNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg fantastic. Good luck with #NetZero !
Show threadChris TurnerNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg Great stuff! πŸ‘
Show threadBen, Writin’ MoviesNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg When can I move up there?
Show threadMartin McNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg oh wow oh really wow that is very cool
Show threadShawn J. SkinnerNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg amazing stuff!
Show threadDocBolusNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg an amazing way ahead. Would love to be able to generate enough power, and I guess the battery banks are an integral part of the solution to even out the usage?
Show threadIsle of EiggNov 23, 2022
@DocBolus hiya - have a read of this.... but essentially the batteries control when / if the back up generators need to go on. But they also have 24 hours worth of electricity storage if neither renewables or back up generator are working (never happened) http://isleofeigg.org/eigg-electric/
Eigg Electric - The Isle of Eigg

Eigg is not connected to the mainland electricity supply.  After decades of diesel generators, Eigg Electric provided 24 hour power for the first time in February 2008.  Eigg Electric is a community owned, managed and maintained company which provides electricity for all island residents from the renewable sources of water, sun, and wind.   No more pouring smelly […]

The Isle of Eigg
Show threadDocBolusNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg will take a look, would absolutely love to work out a regular consistent supply in a much smaller scale where I am.
Show threadHowlinsheepNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg fantastic!
Show threadJo LakeNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg <Searches for β€˜Eigg cottage’ on Rightmove>
Show threadZ̈oéNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg is there publicly available energy flow data for the island? would be very interesting to see.
Show threadIsle of EiggNov 23, 2022
@uint8_t not yet, but we are working on it.
Show threadDavid_grΓΌnNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg Very cool! Congratulations to everyone involved!!
Show threadeberglundNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg Inspiring story! Interesting to explore how energy micro-grids could be part of the same story/movement as de-centralized digital networks eg. Twitter/Mastodon.
Show threadCountess _Katheryn _BohemeNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg This should be the way forward for all of UK. Yet the Tories are actively suppressing it due to their corrupt links with big oil. They work against us not for us.
Show threadJack LoweNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg What a splendidly uplifting toot...and so pleased to have discovered your feed!
Show threadAmanda LillywhiteNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg that's wonderful! The rest of us need to learn from you, you're showing us what's possible.
Show threadK&Js Mini AdventureNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg I think that is one of the coolest hydro electric plants I have ever seen.
Show threadSteve WebbNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg the "frequency controlled regulatory measures" are very interesting. I've worked in projects to reduce demand at low frequency but equally high frequency (too much gen) that's a nice problem to have. In my view there's no consequence of wasting electricity/heat in that situation πŸ˜‰
Show threadParty SamNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg True inspiration for many of us!
Show threadLegalise Cannabis Campaign ScoNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg
Loved the set up when we were there. + The scenery.
Show threadMike MorpheusNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg this is next-level community empowerment!
(See what I did there?πŸ˜‰)
Seriously, kudos. Are there opportunities for other communities to learn from your success?
Show threadIsle of EiggNov 23, 2022
@Mike_Morpheus there are lots in Scotland who already are. We began 25 years ago, but the number of community owned estates and buildings grows year on year https://www.communitylandscotland.org.uk
Community Land Scotland – Community Land Scotland represents Scotland’s new generation of community land owners

Show threadJoanna HayesNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg this is wonderful! We have so many housing estates being built locally with no solar panels. There are a few solar fields nearby, but nowhere near enough, and a couple of turbines. It's woeful. You are an inspiration!
Show threadMichael SandersNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg I really don’t understand whilst micro and pico hydro isn’t more widely deployed.
Show threadWoaxsterNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg
Awesome! πŸ‘
Show threadJacmorrNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg Brilliant! The power of nature and a wonderful community.
Show threadDave B - West Lancs MasonNov 23, 2022
@isleofeigg tidal?
Show threadIsle of EiggNov 23, 2022
@DaveBarrWestLancs yes, very possibly... if we can find the right tidal generator. Definitely on the list
Show threadNateNov 24, 2022

@isleofeigg

Eiggcellent

Show threadTiffany Lee Brown (she/they)Nov 24, 2022
@isleofeigg
Show threadMaitreya LevanchildNov 24, 2022
@isleofeigg glad to (re-)find you ~ Maitreya aka @waysandbeing on Twitter, now here in what I hope will be more of a 'communityverse'!! πŸ˜‰ Sending love πŸ‘‹πŸ½πŸ™ŒπŸ½πŸ€—πŸ’–πŸ’•
Show threadSam WestonNov 24, 2022
@isleofeigg @Skeewiff Are you bound by the UK energy price cap? If so how did you manage to pay for this before the cap was made higher this year?
Show threadIsle of EiggNov 24, 2022
@cablespaghetti @Skeewiff Not sure I understand the question but I think the answer is no. We are not connected to the national grid, so are an independent energy supplier, just to the people on Eigg. Before the current energy price rise, our cost per unit was much higher than everywhere else. Now it's lower or about the same, depending on the supplier.
Show threadMSG4EUNov 24, 2022
@isleofeigg A brilliant example πŸ‘πŸΌ
Show threadCarla MartinNov 24, 2022
@isleofeigg Really wonderful.
Show threadBen LongdenNov 24, 2022
@isleofeigg @benmcfc inspiration for us all! That's so cool. πŸ’š
Show threadBenNov 24, 2022
@blongden @isleofeigg very neat. Energy independence, cheaper, builds skills and reduces demand on centralised generation. Win-win for all.
Show threadEms_JaneNov 24, 2022

@isleofeigg I’m certain I’ve seen this reported in a documentary somewhere … however this is really so good. How large is the island? It really has to be a very different life. Thanks for sharing

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170329-the-extraordinary-electricity-of-the-scottish-island-of-eigg

The small Scottish isle leading the world in electricity

Some 1.3 billion people lack regular access to electricity. With its reliable independent grid powered by wind, water and solar, a remote Scottish island could point to a solution.

Show threadsoundhoboNov 24, 2022
@isleofeigg …showing us all it can be done, bravo πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘
Show threadKenNov 24, 2022
@isleofeigg This is great. If a small island like Eigg can do this, so can a large one like the UK. It just needs the will to do it from the government and the fossil fuel lobby to stop lobbying for business as usual.
Show threadGaz65Nov 24, 2022
@isleofeigg wow that's impressive. Maybe you could come over and teach the mainlanders how to act?
Show threadxMark1Nov 25, 2022
@isleofeigg
Grumman Aerospace built its own power plant because it was cheaper than buying electricity from utilities.