ENSEA supported the development of a Scottish network of collaborators who are working towards the overall vision of a more integrated energy system; allowing for a greater level of energy from sustainable and renewable energy sources.

ENSEA's Scottish partnership comprises three organisations representing the industrial, and private sectors; Scottish Renewables, Scottish Enterprise and the Energy Technology Partnership. All three organisations regularly collaborate and mutually support each other's activities, and the partnership also aims to align collaborative activities with the Scottish Government.

Key priorities for Scotland include sharing knowledge and on solutions for integrating a greater level of renewable generation onto the grid, e.g. through interconnection, network sharing, active and storage technologies.

About the ENSEA  Scotland Team

What is ENSEA?

ENSEA aims to increase the competitiveness of research-driven energy clusters through better coordination and exploitation of research to support innovation in Energy Systems Integration.

Scotland is one of four regional partners in the newly-formed European North Sea Energy Alliance (ENSEA), along with regions of Germany, The Netherlands, and Norway. A partnership of ETP, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Renewables is representing Scotland’s academic, public and industry interests in ENSEA.

Nearly €3million funding for developing this collaborative network has been provided from the European Commission through the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7). The main goals of this initiative are to promote cooperation between public, private and academic sectors and to facilitate the development of knowledge and innovation on energy system integration and demand management.

ENSEA Strategic Objectives:

• Explore where we are now, and the potential and opportunities in relation to demand-driven research and innovation for greater integration of sustainable & renewable energy into the energy system.
• Strengthen collaborations through development of a Joint Action Plan for innovation and research initiatives.
• Develop collaborative research proposals within regional, national and European (e.g. Horizon 2020) Research and Technical Development (RTD) funding programmes.

Energy Systems Integration (ESI) describes the optimisation of the design and performance of the supply of all forms of energy (electricity, heat, biofuels and other fuels) at all scales (end user, local community and regional levels). It incorporates consideration of the interactions and interdependencies between the energy system and other systems; such as economic, data, regulatory and social dimensions. Energy systems are currently undergoing considerable change as the European Union (and other regions and countries) seeks to transition away from fossil fuels and cut carbon emissions. ENSEA seeks to better understand, and make use of, potential co-benefits that increase reliability and performance, reduce cost, and minimise environmental impacts.

Energy activity, in and around the North Sea, is growing rapidly for a number of reasons. Considerable innovation can be found in this region which is related to all kinds of technologies and energy carriers. However, a clear vision about how all this energy innovation hangs together, how it could be coordinated and what would be required in terms of organisation and collaboration, is simply absent. In order to develop North Sea energy system integration, that is robust enough to provide the EU industrial heart with sustainable and renewable energy, formidable organisational effort and challenges still lie ahead, such as:

• Balancing the future grid, given the substantial increase of intermittent resources;
• Developing sufficient new storage technology and capacity;
• Organising sufficient back-up facilities;
• Managing demand;
• Aligning the various grid systems which connect the various sources of energy supply and demand;
• Turning the decommissioning challenges into new opportunities for sustainable energy production and storage;
• Involving  smaller companies in energy transition activity; and
• Organising and developing supporting research, technological development, and training activity.

None of these challenges can be tackled without good professional triple-helix (industry-government-academic) support and international cooperation, collaboration, co-investment and design.  In the ENSEA initiative, the partner organisations are comprised of the leading energy triple-helix organisations in each of the four partner regions; North Netherlands, Lower Saxony (North West Germany), Rogaland (South West Norway) and Scotland. Further regional partners will be brought into the Alliance, as it develops and opportunities for collaboration arise.

European North Sea Energy Alliance (Scotland)

ENSEA: Increasing competitiveness of research-driven

energy clusters through better coordination and exploitation of research.  

A partnership of Energy Technology Partnership (ETP), Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Renewables represents Scotland’s , public and industry interests in the North Sea Energy Alliance (ENSEA).

Scotland is one of five regional partners, from around the North Sea, along with regions of Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and, newly-included Denmark.

 ENSEA aims to:

• Promote cooperation & innovation in integrating sustainable, into existing energy systems;
• Identify opportunities & develop collaborations for a Joint Action Plan, Joint Research Programme and research proposals (e.g. EU Horizon 2020 Framework Programme );
• Increase competitiveness of research-driven energy clusters;
• Facilitate development & sharing of knowledge.

This ENSEA Scotland website provides information relevant to the Scottish Energy Sector, and relevant stakeholders, who may wish to get involved in the ENSEA activities.

The general ENSEA website http://www.ensea.biz provides information on our partners in the Alliance along with documents and events in Europe and the North Sea area relating to innovation in energy systems and the transition to increased systems integration.

Events on this webpage are relevant to the transition towards increasing Energy Systems Integration - in particular for supporting a greater energy mix and higher proportions of low carbon and renewable energy sources. Please let us know if there is a relevant event you would like us to advertise here.More comprehensive event postings can be found on the ETP,  Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Renewables website events pages.

Sept 1-2, 2015 ENSEA International Conference: Energy Systems Integration
(COSLA Conference Centre, Edinburgh)
This free-to-attend conference will, on Day 1, present, examine and debate the current and future challenges which Energy Systems Integration would be required to address at regional, inter-regional and international scales. Day 2 will build upon the outcomes of the debate on key challenges and step changes, from Day 1, through practical and themed workshops to develop an inter-sectoral ESI Agenda for the Future. This event is jointly organised by Energy Technology Partnership, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Renewables. Bookings through Scottish Renewables.
https://www.scottishrenewables.com/events/ensea-conference/uropean-north-sea-energy-alliance-international-c/

June 16, 2015  The Future of Energy in North-western Europe: Energy System Integration in the North Sea Region & the Triple Helix

(Scotland house, Rond-Point Schuman 6, Brussels)

During this pragmatic conference session triple-helix stakeholders will present their views on the ongoing energy transition in the North Sea region. Representatives from appealing public- and private organisations as well as knowledge institutes will elaborate on key step changes required to tackle bottlenecks in the current energy transition in North-western Europe. High-level speakers will explain their views on short- and long-term cooperation opportunities based on Energy System Integration thinking and  reflect on the effectiveness of existing and future EU energy policy. www.Ensea.biz

June 18, 2015.  ENSEA at High Level Policy Conference: The Future of Energy in North-western Europe
Committee of the Regions Building, Rue Belliard 99-101, Brussels

During this pragmatic conference session, triple-helix stakeholders will present their views on the ongoing energy transition in the North Sea region. Representatives from public and private organisations as well as knowledge institutes will elaborate on key changes required to tackle bottlenecks in the current energy transition in north-western Europe. High-level speakers will explain their views on short- and long-term cooperation opportunities based on Energy System Integration thinking and reflect on the effectiveness of existing and future EU energy policy.

Register to attend here.

May 6-7, 2015 All-Energy Conference & Exhibition
(SECC, Glasgow)
The 2015 All-Energy conference and exhibition is a world-class free-to-attend renewables conference. It will be showcasing the complete range of renewable and sustainable technologies and with a world-class multi-stream conference alongside.
http://www.all-energy.co.uk

Mar 24&25 March, 2015 Scottish Renewables Annual Conference, Exhibition & Dinner
(EICC, Edinburgh)
This 2-day conference includes 6 conferences in 2 days. Day 1 of this year’s conference will look at the future growth of the sector, discussing cross-cutting issues, and provide an introduction to renewables. Day 2 will be made up of four conference streams looking at the following four pillars: Finance Renewables; Our Energy System, Technology & Cost Reduction, and People & Place.
http://www.scottishrenewables.com/events/ac15/

January 28-29 2015 SR Offshore Wind & Supply Chain Conference, Exhibition & Dinner
(AECC, Aberdeen)
This conference will explore each stage in the development of an offshore wind project and all the key issues affecting the industry right now. Whether you’re looking to understand how Scotland’s offshore wind industry can benefit you, or how recent policy developments will affect the industry and your projects, this is the most important conference of the year.
http://www.scottishrenewables.com/events/offshore-wind/

November 11–13 2014 RenewableUK 2014 Conference & Exhibition
(Manchester Central, Manchester)
The UK's Premier Renewable Energy Event.  Widely recognised as the renewables event to attend in the UK – this is our flagship event covering onshore and offshore wind, wave & tidal energy and small & medium wind systems. It will be attended by over 4,500 delegates, 250 exhibitors and 190 speakers. 
http://www.renewableuk.com/en/events/conferences-and-exhibitions/renewableuk-2014/index.cfm#sthash.X4k1AaA2.dpuf

September 23- 24 2014 SR Marine Conference, Exhibition & Dinner
(Eden Court, Inverness)
The Marine Conference, Exhibition & Dinner programme will be available shortly.
http://www.scottishrenewables.com/events/sr-marine-conference-exhibition-dinner-2014/

August 3-8 2014 World Renewable Energy Congress 13- WREC XIII
(University of Kingston, Penrhyn Road, Surrey, KT1 2EE)
Our mission is to promote enabling policies and to further develop a broad range of renewable energy technologies and applications in all sectors – for heating and cooling, agricultural applications, water desalination, industrial applications and for the transport sectors leading to a better, cleaner and safer world. 
http://www.wrenuk.co.uk/wrecxi.html 

June 23 - 27 2014 EU Sustainable Energy Week
(Brussels, Belgium)  
Launched in 2006 as an initiative of the European Commission, the EUSEW has become a reference point for public authorities, energy agencies, private companies, NGOs and industry associations engaged in helping to meet the EU’s energy and climate goals. For those interested in renewable and efficient energy, this event has become unmissable.
http://www.eusew.eu/

June 24 2014 SR Onshore Wind Conference and Exhibition 2014
(RBS Gogarburn, 175 Glasgow Road, Edinburgh, EH12 9BH)
The Scottish Renewables Onshore Wind Conference & Exhibition is the only dedicated event to Scotland’s fastest growing renewables sector. Join us to hear from industry and government leaders, discussing and debating the fundamental issues to the sector's growth issues across a range of topics from Scotland’s new planning framework, the transition to EMR and the work the sector undertakes with Scotland’s communities.
http://www.scottishrenewables.com/events/sr-onshore-wind-conference-and-exhibition-2014/

June 11-12 2014 Global Offshore Wind 2014 13th Annual Conference & Exhibition
(SECC, Glasgow) 
The UK’s installed offshore wind capacity is greater than the rest of the world’s combined, and we have an active, well established, local offshore wind industry, complemented by strong involvement from key international players. RenewableUK presents an exciting event for 2014 – the association’s 13th annual offshore wind energy conference and exhibition, this time with a truly global focus. 
http://www.renewableuk.com/en/events/conferences-and-exhibitions/global-offshore-wind-2014/index.cfm#sthash.fpWOR7Bx.dpuf

June 3-5 2014 Renewable Energy World Conference and Exposition Europe
(Congress Centre, Konrad-Adenaeur-Saal, Colonge, Germany)
Start your visit to Renewable Energy World Europe by joining your fellow power industry professionals at the scene-setting joint opening keynote session. The keynote takes place prior to the opening of the exhibition floor and all attendees are welcome.
http://www.renewableenergyworld-europe.com/index.html

June 3 2014 SR Hydro Conference & Mini Expo 2014
(Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5HZ)
The 2014 conference will take a close look at the solutions the industry needs to find to thrive in Scotland including: sourcing finance, upgrading and securing connection to the grid and an in-depth look at the future of the feed-in tariff.
http://www.scottishrenewables.com/events/sr-hydro-conference-mini-expo-2014/

May 21-22, 2014 All-Energy Conference & Exhibition
(AECC, Aberdeen)
The 2014 All-Energy conference and exhibition is a world-class free-to-attend renewables conference taking place in Europe’s energy city, Aberdeen. It will be showcasing the complete range of renewable and sustainable technologies and with a world-class multi-stream conference alongside.
http://www.all-energy.co.uk

April 30 2014 Staying on Target: Securing the UK's Energy Future in Challenging Times
(The UK Energy Research Centre, London)
This major event will present and discuss key findings from our latest research programme and preview our future agenda. The project focuses on the key uncertainties that will affect the UK's ambitions to achieve deep cuts in emissions by 2030. The results will focus on a range of areas; from power sector investment to networks for low carbon heat; and will consider how to reduce or manage these uncertainties to meet the 4th carbon budget.
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/staying-on-target-securing-the-uks-energy-future-in-challenging-times-tickets-10560662225

April 28 2014 SR Heat & Bioenergy Conference 
(Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5HZ)
The programme of speakers will bring together industry leaders, public sector representatives and investors; to discuss the key drivers for heat and bioenergy and how we meet our heat vision in Scotland.
This event will also feature a Mini Expo. A small number of exhibiting organisations will be present for delegates to visit during the networking breaks. The following organisations will be showcasing:
http://www.scottishrenewables.com/events/sr-heat-bioenergy-conference-2014/

April 24 2014, Scottish Highland Renewable Energy Conference 2014
(Kingsmill Hotel, Inverness, IV2 3LP)
The potential impact of this year's independence referendum will be one of the main topics for debate at law firm Harper Macleod's annual Scottish Highland Renewable Energy Conference (SHREC), which takes place in Inverness on 24 April. Energy Minister Fergus Ewing MSP will deliver the keynote address at the event, which will bring together around 200 people involved in the sector to examine the big decisions facing renewables in 2014, political and otherwise, at the Kingsmill Hotel.
http://www.harpermacleod.co.uk/icalrepeat.detail/2014/04/24/77/scottish-highland-renewable-energy-conference-2014

April 23- 24 2014, ETP Annual Conference 
(West Park Conference Centre, Dundee)
The ETP is hosting it's 3rd Annual Conference in the West Park Conference Centre, Dundee on 23rd and 24th April 2014. Day 1 is for the ETP PhD Students and Knowledge Exchange members. It will provide an informative and interactive day where keynote speakers will provide the context for a variety of group working and discussion sessions. Day 2 is for Industry, and will focus on Research excellence with impact: A focus on knowledge exchange with industry and partner organisations including keynote speakers and case studies. 
www.etp-scotland.ac.uk/NewsandEvents/Events/ETPAnnualConference2014.aspx

April 23 2014 Harnessing Scotland's Marine Energy Potential
(Fife Renewables Innovation Centre, Methil, Ajax Way, Leven, Fife, KY8 3RS)
Scotland's Marine Energy sector has the potential to be world leading. There are however, several challenges that need to be addressed in order to ensure that Scotland can maintain its global lead in wave and tidal development. Join us on the morning of 23 April at the Fife Renewables Innovation Centre, as we tackle three of the key issues: financing, insuring and developing, with presentations and discussions from The Scottish Investment Bank, JLT and Energy Project Management.
http://www.scottishrenewables.com/events/harnessing-scotlands-marine-energy-potential/

April 16 2014 LIFE+ and EU funding for the Environment 2014-2020 - Scottish Information Day
(Battleby Conference Centre, Scottish Natural Heritage, Redgorton, Perth PH1 3EW)
Scotland Europa, together with the Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency are organisation a Scottish Information Day on EU funding for the environment 2014-2020. The event is open to Scotland Europa members as well as wider Scottish stakeholders in the environment field.
https://www.scotlandeuropa.com/news-events/events/environment/140416-life-event.aspx

April 14–15 2014 Geological Carbon Storage: Meeting the Global Challenge
(Burlington House, London)
Fossil fuels will continue to constitute a significant part of the energy mix, nationally and globally, for several decades at least. Urgent action is required to avoid dangerous climate change as a result of the CO2 released when they are burnt. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has the potential to achieve this objective, if implemented at sufficient scale, by capturing the CO2 and trapping it safely underground.

April 7-11 2014 Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Group Exhibit 
(Hall 27, B 66, Exhibition Grounds, Hannover, Germany)
The Group Exhibit is part of HANNOVER MESSE, the World’s leading trade fair for industrial technology. Expecting a total of 200,000 visitors and 5,000 exhibitors during the week, this event has 7 trade fairs at one venue covering all major industrial technologies with numerous energy topics including Wind, solar, hydro and geothermal power, energy storage, power plant efficiency and many more!
http://www.h2fc-fair.com/

Apr 1, 2014 UK Energy System in Transition: Technology, Infrastructure and Investment
(Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation, High School Yards, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT)
The UK Energy Research Centre, ClimateXChange and the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation are running a half-day workshop on UK Energy System in Transition: Technology, Infrastructure and Investment. The meeting will present and discuss recent findings by leading UK energy researchers, and consider ongoing research, policy and strategy challenges.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-energy-system-in-transition-technology-infrastructure-and-investment-tickets-10778008313

Mar 25, 2014 10th International Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Conference Exhibition and Partnering - Fuel Cells & Hydrogen for Future Transport and Buildings
(Millennium Point, Birmingham, B4 7XG, Birmingham)
Given the HORIZON 2020 programme for EU projects has started, this meeting is expected to be a major forum for discussing the topics in the call, for generating novel ideas for innovations, and for creating new consortia making bids. The partnering and brokerage session for companies and institutions in the afternoon will allow collaborations to be forged.
http://www.climate-change-solutions.co.uk/event/upcoming-events/

Mar 18&19 Scottish Renewables Annual Conference, Exhibition & Dinner
(EICC, Edinburgh)
This 2-day conference includes 5 conferences in 2 days. Day 1 of this year’s conference will debate and discuss the Big Issues for Scotland’s renewable energy sector as we seek to meet existing targets and develop and define a new vision for the sector beyond 2020. Day 2 will be made up of four conference streams looking at the pillars that support the growth of the industry, with delegates able to choose one of these streams or alternate between sessions throughout the day: Finance; Planning, Grid, Technology and Innovation.
http://www.scottishrenewables.com/events/ac14/

Mar 12, 2014 100% Renewables in Scotland by 2030 – iCarb Energy Backcasting Workshop
(Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation, High School Yards, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT)
This event will explore the options for Scotland to become a world leading country in getting to 100% renewables by 2030. The Energy Technology Partnership are backing this event, organised by ICARB. Outcomes will potentially include support for follow up of product development ideas.
http://icarb.org/2014/02/14/100-renewables-in-scotland-by-2030-an-energy-visioning-backcasting-exercise/

February 26–27 2014 Wave & Tidal 2014, 11th Annual Conference & Exhibition
(Belfast, UK)
Celebrating its 11th year, the industry’s premier wave and tidal energy event attracted 400+ delegates, comprising investors, project and technology developers including decision makers from government and business with responsibilities across the UK, Europe and international markets.
http://www.renewableuk.com/en/events/conferences-and-exhibitions/wave-and-tidal-2014/index.cfm#sthash.qAAF9H0K.dpuf

 

Download the flyer

Final Report

The Scottish region of the European North Sea Energy Alliance has representatives from the public, academic and Industrial Sector. Further information on these organisations can be found by visiting their websites using the relevant logo below.

Public

Scottish Enterprise

Scotland Europa

Scottish European Green Energy Council

Academic

Energy Technology Partnership

Industry

Scottish Renewables

An Integrated sustainable energy system: UK & EU opportunities

Presentations made at All-Energy, 2015 included are:

1.Karen Martin Perez, Scotland Europa: EU Funding Opportunities Overview

2.David Butler, Scottish Enterprise: UK Energy Innovation Overview

3.Jenny Hogan, Scottish Renewables: Introduction to ENSEA

4.Natasha Madeira, Energy Technology Partnership: Energy Systems Integration – Priorities for Collaboration

Click here for a PDF file of the presentations made by ENSEA at All-Energy 2015

http://www.all-energy.co.uk/

ENSEA: Work package 2

Horizon 2020 Energy Calls Overview

Horizon 2020 – Key 2014/2015 Deadlines

Further Reading

A comprehensive model for the German electricity and heat sector in a future energy system with a dominant contribution from renewable energy technologies Part I: Methodology.
Henning H & Palzer A (2014)

Climate change mitigation with integration of renewable energy resources in the electricity grid of New South Wales, Australia.
Abdullah M. A, Agalgaonkar A. P & Muttaqi K. M (2014)

Efficient strategies for the integration of renewable energy into future energy infrastructures in Europe - An analysis based on transnational modelling and case studies for nine European regions. 

Boie I, Fernandes C, Frías P &  Klobasa M (2014)

Energy Systems Integration: A Convergence of Ideas 
Kroposki B, Garrett B, Macmillan S, Rice B & Komomua C (2012)

EU Energy Policy to 2050: Achieving 80-95% emissions reductions
European Wind Energy Association (2011)

Framework methodology for increased energy efficiency and renewable feedstock integration in industrial clusters.
Hackl R &  Harvey S (2013)

Incorporating energy efficiency into electric power transmission planning: A western United States case study. 
Barbose G L, Sanstad A H & Goldman C A (2014)

Integration of electricity from renewable energy sources into European electricity grids.
Timpe C, Bauknecht D, Koch M & Lynch C (2010)

Modeling and Analysis of the Role of Energy Storage for Renewable Integration: Power Balancing
Han-I S & Abbas E G (2013)

Recent advances on smart grid technology and renewable energy integration.
Mei S & Chen L (2013)