As part of our mission to understand and address the non-technical barriers to decarbonisation, Aquatera is progressing the development of a Rural Energy Hub in Brae, Shetland. The Rural Energy Hubs (REH) concept is an ambitious initiative designed to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future in rural communities across the UK and globally. The REH project 2023-2026, funded by Innovate UK, developed the Rural Energy Hub concept as a ‘place-based’ demonstration approach. The demonstration focusses on understanding the opportunities and overcoming the unique, non-technical challenges that hinder decarbonisation within specific rural settings.
The Brae Hub gives a central, accessible focal-point within the Brae community, hosting services and amenities to support Shetlanders to transition to net zero.
Image: Colin Ross Workshop BREH Concept Drawing
The project aims to encompass all aspects of the energy system:
- Transportation: exploring innovative electric solutions for individuals and for local authority fleets, integrating community-managed services, deploying distributed charging infrastructure, integrating a car club model into the hub, trialling maritime and aviation decarbonisation, and developing holistic transport decarbonisation plans.
- Heat: utilising smart monitoring to drive behavioural change, developing a Building Renovation Passport programme to support home and office decarbonisation; and undertaking feasibility of district heating options.
- Power: developing affordable models for renewable generation and battery solutions, including integration into the REH.
The Rural Energy Hubs project team met in Shetland recently for our quarterly review with the project funders Innovate UK Net Zero Living Programme. This included a site visit with the Highlands & Islands Sustainable Aviation Limited (HISAV) team who, in partnership with EMEC, are testing the use of Windracers’ heavy lift drones for inter-island transport of freight.
The project involves a diverse range of decarbonisation activities across Orkney and Shetland, being delivered with our project partners Community Energy Scotland, EMEC: European Marine Energy Centre, Shetland Islands Council and Orkney Islands Council.
Aquatera Ltd and the project team are working towards the development of a Rural Energy Hub Replication Framework, which will give a structured process to guide project teams in establishing successful Energy Hubs in diverse rural communities.
