Park Electricity is the electricity provider to the Park. Like all other Park infrastructure services, the ‘private estate’ status means Scottish Hydro Electric’s responsibility starts and ends at the main entrance. Therefore, NFD own and operate the electrical system in the Park, that delivers electricity to customers and maintains the infrastructure. NFD purchases electricity solely from the Findhorn Wind Park, which itself owns and generates electricity via the three wind turbines located to the east of the Park and a number of PV panels located in East Whins.
Overview
UK regulations and standards: Park Electricity, as a supplier/distributor is regulated and governed by OFGEM (the UK’s electricity and gas regulator); and the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations (ESQCR) and the IEE Wiring Regulations.
The electrical distribution network in The Park has developed over the years to meet the needs of existing users and to accommodate new clients. NFD are constantly focused on the challenges of meeting the demands of a growing eco-village and the tight regulations governing the standards of supply networks, primarily to enhance safety but also to provide a reliable source of electricity within defined tolerances.
In addition, the load demanded by existing occupiers has generally increased, reflecting the greater use of electrical appliances in the home and in business.
Update
NFD have embarked on a five year upgrade plan to provide a balanced network of appropriately sized underground cables, sections of which may be readily isolated for maintenance or testing, that safely and reliably supplies sufficient electricity to end users via a series of safe, secure and uncluttered distribution boxes.
April 2016 to March 2017
- FWP generated 755MWh of renewable electricity and the Park EcoVillage usage was 1,119MWh.
- Of the total power used at the Park 76% was renewable (from FWP & the grid) and 24% was from non-renewable sources,
imported when the wind did not blow strongly enough to meet the Park demand. - The non-renewable power imported produced 107.8 Tonnes CO2e.
- FWP also exported 311MWh of renewable power when the wind turbines generated more than the Park could use, saving 79.1 Tonnes CO2e off site.
- Overall, Park electricity consumption led to a net carbon footprint of 28.7 Tonnes CO2e. This is 25.6g CO2e per kWh consumed compared to a national average of 254 g CO2e per kWh for the year from April 2016 to March 2017.
Green Energy
NFD, having consulted its customers has instructed FWP (our electric supplier) to allow for a 1% increase in the cost of purchasing electricity (at the annual October contract review period), to maximise our alternative ‘green’ energy supply. This means that when the wind isn’t blowing, the electric FWP buys in from the national grid (to maintain supply) is sourced from other green energy providers.
April 2017 to March 2018
- FWP generated 999MWh of renewable electricity and the Park EcoVillage usage was 1,233MWh.
- All the power used at the Park was renewable as we had a ‘green’ import contract throughout this period.
- FWP exported 399MWh of renewable power when the wind turbines generated more than the Park could use. This saves CO2 emissions off site, but quantifying this saving requires updated fuel mix data released late in 2018. Hopefully the new national average will be significantly lower.