Renewable energy futures: Making coastal communities more viable?
Hans-Kristian Hernes and Berit Kristoffersen, Department of Social Sciences, UiT
Arctic Frontiers, January 24th 2019 ARC Arctic Centre for Sustainable Energy
• Established 2017 by UiT, dispositions of internal resources – From 2020: 10 Professors + post docs and PhD-students.
• Focus on Arctic challenges and conditions within renewable energy and greenhouse gas management • interdisciplinary R&D excellence in order to create sustainable societies in the Arctic. Norway – energy challenges?
• Water falls and the development of a nation – Electricity – the important resource for modernization and industrial development – Technology, investors – supply of electricity and use in industry • State control and regulation of – Electricity as a commodity the electricity market to all – Important provider of • “Set” price system electricity • Local markets – Local producers – Control and regulation in same agency – Public (state) ownership • From state to market – and • Maintaining state ownership to new challenges water falls – Challenge: EU regulation – Different regulation for • Electricity as a commodity in a windmill parks and small market power plants – Liberalization from 1990s • Grid in need for update – Nordic market – Huge investments – Cost efficiency – Efficiency • And the bill to – Divide between control, consumers grid and consumer – Challenge: Alternatives? (market) Senja
• Approximately 1590 km2, the second largest island in Norway • Close to 8000 inhabitants • New municipality – Senja from 2020. – Merger of four municipalities – Ca 15 000 inhabitants • Resource-based industry – Seafood – traditional fisheries and aquaculture – Tourism – Agriculture • Blue growth – Export of seafood: Ca 6 billion NOK • Traditional whitefish • Aquaculture – Main products from • Cod • Salmon • Herring • Deep-sea shrimps – Improved cooperation, R&D Vibrant communities – Husøy and Senjahopen
• Husøy • Senjahopen – Ca 300 inhabitants, – Ca 300 people, decreasing increase in population population – Part of Lenvik municipality – Part of Berg municipality
• Br. Karlsen, owner • Several large companies – – Whitefish and aquaculture Nergård, Aksel Hansen, – Whitefish The energy challenge at Senja
• Limited capacity in the grid – Old grid – One power cable to the northernmost communities (radial) – Supply from outside, low production at Senja – Long distance from transformer station to customers
– Instability – Power peaks as a particular challenge • Increased demand – Seafood industry alone • 2016: 38 000 MWh per year (75 % on Northern Senja) • Estimated: 45 000 MWh extra in 2020 • 2030: Total 130 000 MWh
• Increase in traditional fishing industry • Aquaculture as a major driver • Energy transition in coastal communities – Aquaculture – Harbours • Construction starting in Senjahopen – Fishing boats • Batteries – where to charge? Working in the communities
• Project by Troms Kraft Nett – the grid operator • Two options – Cable to grid at Kvaløya – Smart grid and local solutions • Sun • Wind • Batteries • Steering systems • Dialogue with the main companies – Energy situation – Possibilities for energy efficiency – Energy production and battery storage
– Photo: Nergård/Br. Karlsen • Dialogue with people – School lab • Experiments in renewable energy • Measuring solar irradiance
– Energy cafeteria • Coffee, cakes – and energy issues
– Public events • Husøy-dagan Observations: Is it relevant for us?
• Positive attitudes to renewable energy – Rejecting diesel generators • “Destroying the idea of fresh and sustainable sea food” – Solar is more acceptable than wind • “A windmill will destroy the visual” • Sustainable industries, renewable energy – Fisheries – Tourism • Eco-tourism • Flexible solutions – hybrid renewable energy systems may be cheaper • Preference for the established system – “We want that cable” • Trust in existing infrastructure
• Request for information and knowledge – Ambiguity and uncertainty in new solutions • When will new technology in fishing boats be implemented?
• Abstract idea relevant? – Electricity – taken for granted – “What should I do” • From wind, solar and battery storage – to the kitchen and family The next step – RENEW
• Renewable & Smart Rural Power System Community – Interdisciplinary project in ARC (3 PhDs, 6 senior researchers) • Physics, engineering and social science
– Co-creating solutions with communities and Troms Kraft Nett – Developing power systems in the communities • Large investments in batteries, solar, and digital systems for control and distribution – Changing opinions – and behavior? • Local action? • What solutions matter locally – and do they fit markets and policies? • Nudging • Prosumers and local ownership? Thank you! Welcome to seminar at Senja!