The Western Isles and Skye are to be used for a pilot project aiming to make a fundamental change in how electricity is distributed in Scotland. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is planning to use local generators on the islands as part of the “modern electricity grid of the future”. SSEN is working with smart energy software Piclo, a platform designed by Open Utility. Open Utility announced nearly half a million in funding from Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) department’s Energy Entrepreneur fund to develop it new online marketplace in 2017. The plans will look to move away from using power from dirty diesel generators during maintenance or a fault and switch to cleaner wind or hydro power. SSEN will also look to involve a number of local businesses in the project. If successful, it could mean cheaper energy bills for customers as SSE pay local generators to export during times of need. The energy distribution will be managed by Open Utility’s peer-to-peer energy flexibility platform. SSEN says the initiative in the Western Isles and Skye will be a significant step in developing the flexible network of the future.
Modern Electricity Grid of the Future
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