Tidal power will provide stable and renewable electricity on the Faroe Islands

How can small islands and communities without electricity grids gain access to reliable and renewable electricity? This is the central question in the project ETRIC (Energy Transition for Remote Islands and Communities), in which IVL is participating. The project, with a total budget of SEK 56 million, will demonstrate a solution where tidal power is used as the base power in an isolated electricity system on the Faroe Islands.

We will analyze the environmental performance of the technology, and contribute our expertise in sustainability analysis. Being part of this project, where we can contribute to the sustainable energy solutions of the future, is both exciting and important, says Pierre Ingmarsson, Innovation Leader for Blue Economy at IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute.

Remote islands face major challenges when it comes to energy supply. They are often completely reliant on imported fossil fuels, which makes them vulnerable to both price increases and supply chain disruptions. At the same time, access to the electricity grid is often limited or non-existent, which impedes the transition to renewable energy.

Innovative technology in challenging environments

The microgrid based on tidal power that will be built and tested on the remote island of Fugloy in the Faroe Islands is a good example of how innovative technology can address real, practical needs in challenging environments. By integrating a tidal turbine developed by the company Minesto with an energy storage system and local grid control, a stable and flexible electricity supply will be created.

IVL’s job is to ensure that the development and implementation of tidal power technology complies with environmental requirements and is sustainable in the long term. This involves, among other things, measuring and modeling underwater noise from tidal turbines to ensure that disturbances to marine ecosystems and wildlife are minimized.

Understanding and minimizing underwater noise is crucial to protecting marine ecosystems when we develop new ocean energy. This is particularly important given the cumulative effects that may arise in the future, when we plan to install larger energy parks with multiple turbines. By integrating these insights into the design and operation of the technology, we can help develop sustainable and environmentally friendly energy solutions that take into account both local and regional impacts on marine environments, says Torbjörn Johansson, who leads IVL’s work on underwater noise.

IVL will also conduct a life-cycle assessment to assess the technology’s climate and environmental impact and will apply the principles of Safe and Sustainable by Design to ensure that the technology is resource-efficient, recyclable, and safe for people and the environment.

For more information, contact:
Pierre Ingmarsson, pierre.ingmarsson@ivl.se, tel. +46 (0)10-788 65 01
Torbjörn Johansson, torbjorn.johansson@ivl.se, tel. +46 (0)10-788 67 02

ETRIC – Energy transition for remote islands and communities – is a collaborative project between Minestro with Capture Energy, the Faroese energy company Sev, and IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute. The project will run for two years, with a total budget of SEK 56 million, of which SEK 25 million is development support from the Swedish Energy Agency.