Rothienorman energy stabilisation bid gets the green light
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PLANS for an energy stabilising device at a Rothienorman substation development have been approved by a council committee.
The Formartine Area Committee which met on Tuesday approved a high-tech addition to the substation, which would boost the efficiency of local renewable energy.
Permission was given for a new building on what is now agricultural land, which would contain a sychronous condensor.
This design is based around a large flywheel which would be used to regulate energy generated by renewable sources in the area, including windfarms.
Controlling renewable energy output is difficult because most renewables, like windfarms and solar projects, rely on natural forces.
Storage and stabilisation machines, including synchronous condensors, ease pressures on the grid due to varying production levels, so fossil fuels aren't needed to fill gaps.
The agent for the application, Lichfields' Gordon Thomson, said: "This will enable existing renewables to be more efficient and enable new renewable to come on stream in future.
"The estimated energy saving this project could feasibly achieve, at the lower end of the range, is 240,000 tonnes of C02 per year.
"That roughly works out as saving the equivalent of the total annual emissions of 45,000 people in Scotland.
"A flight from Glasgow to London emits approximately 20 tonnes of carbon, so another way to think of 240,000 tonnes is approximately the equivalent of 12,000 flights from Glasgow to London."
Councillors backed a motion proposed by councillor Iain Taylor, which granted permission in line with existing conditions on potential noise impact, the risk of compromising local water supplies and limiting any impact on nearby roads.
Councillor Anne Stirling met the proposal with some concerns and initially moved to amend the motion due to concerns over damage to the area's character due to the scale of the development.
She later withdrew her amendment because of a lack of support, but insisted her personal opinion be noted in the minutes however this request was denied by Formartine Area Committee chairwoman Isobel Davidson.
