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igem news

CALEDONIAN CARNIVAL

By Sheila Lauchlan, Scottish Section committee member

HIGH STAKES FUN

IN SEPTEMBER, the Scottish Section everyone to part with their cash for the
enjoyed a fun-filled night with members charity raffle in support of Alzheimer
and guests at its Annual Dinner Dance. Scotland and Epilepsy Scotland.
Chair David McLeod welcomed Grace was delivered by Stuart
guests, including Vice President Ben McLeod before guests tucked into a
Clarke, and thanked the platinum lovely three course dinner. Music was including Long O Donnell for two
sponsor Energy Assets for its support provided by Sienna, who eventually Executive Manchester United
for the event. David also welcomed encouraged people onto the dancefloor tickets, Energetics for a sightseeing
bronze sponsors, Armstrong Fluid after they had lost their chips on the helicopter flight for two, and Electro
Technologies and PM Projen. blackjack and roulette tables. Installations (Scotland) for the
The night began with Past President The Section would like to thank electric golf caddy. A very respectable
Sheila Lauchlan, who encouraged everyone who donated raffle prizes, £1,030 was raised on the night.

TAKING A WHOLE SYSTEMS APPROACH With renewables and energy

security high on the government
agenda, WWU has demonstrated its
By Lewis Watts, North West Section committee member vision of the future with the Hybrid
Accelerator; using a combination
AS THE GAS distribution system energy resources, such as wind, solar of regional and local renewables
operator and designer for the entire and geothermal, to help create a low supported by hydrogen, hydrogen
of Wales and South West England, carbon energy supply from renewable blending, biogas and natural gas, the
managing 37 power stations, 1.76GW sources. During the late spring, network could be carbon-free by 2050.
of total capacity, 1.7TWh of green gas summer and early autumn, these And with questions ranging
and 58GWh of flexible storage, Wales sources can provide enough energy from costs to the taxpayer, policy
& West Utilities (WWU) has been for WWU’s entire network. However, implications and electricity
experimenting. the system must consider the higher generation, (especially with electrified
Smart hybrid controls, local heat demand in winter when these vehicles becoming mainstream in the
pump systems and the 2050 Energy resources are lacking. UK), Mr Clarke answered confidently,
Pathfinder simulator are just a few of The innovative 2050 Energy informing the crowd exactly how these
the critical projects the network has Pathfinder system is a highly advanced are being met.
been working on. simulation that models future energy It was an excellent presentation
These and others were presented by opportunity, risks and trade-offs at delivered by an articulate and
Chris Clarke, Future Strategy Director local, regional and national levels. Using knowledgeable individual.
at WWU, during the latest North West this, WWU calculated that to ensure
Section meeting. consistent supply throughout the year, For more information, visit
One of WWU’s key projects is the the network would need 500GWh of www.wwutilites.co.uk/about-us/our-
Cornwall Energy Island concept. This storage – over eight times more than the company/publications/the-future-of-
considered Cornwall’s rich natural network can currently provide. energy-research

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