Original version

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

CrowdScience

Documentaries

Factual: Science & Nature

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

Answering your questions about life, Earth and the universe

We take your questions about life, Earth and the universe to researchers hunting for answers at the frontiers of knowledge.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

CrowdScience: Could we completely switch to renewable energy?

Discussion & Talk

GettyImages-1291001371_crop.jpg

29/10/2021 GMT

Could we completely switch to renewable energy?

BBC World Service - CrowdScience, Could we completely switch to renewable energy?

The island that’s run almost entirely on renewable energy

We head to the Scottish Island of Eigg to see the world’s first integrated renewable energy grid, and ask what they can teach other communities about harnessing the weather?

As the world slowly moves away from using fossil fuels for electricity, one tiny Scottish island has proved it’s possible to rely almost entirely on renewables.

The inner Hebridean isle of Eigg used to get its power from diesel generators. But in 2008 its residents launched the world’s first electricity system powered by nature, and the Crowdscience team wants to know exactly how they did it, and whether such a model could work in other places with no national grid? Marnie discovers that the community is key to the success of this project, meeting the maintenance men who taught themselves to install equipment and solve any problems themselves, and hearing from residents who’ve changed their habits to use less juice. With the mainland more than an hour away by a once-daily ferry, this kind of resourcefulness is vital. Hydroelectric generators harness the power of running water and are complemented by wind turbines and solar panels on peoples roofs, meeting 95% of Eigg’s energy needs. Now others are learning from this unique experiment and we meet the Malawians who were inspired after visiting Eigg. A solar grid in the village of Sitolo has provided power to thousands of people, and the people who designed it are planning others.

Thanks to Eigg residents: Sue Hollands, Maggie Fyfe, Eddie Scott, Bob Wallace, Greg Carr


Presented by Marnie Chesterton 
Produced by Marijke Peters for BBC World Service.

This episode of CrowdScience has been edited to correct a factual error

Image: Wind turbines on Eigg Credit: Getty Images

Accessibility links

Programme Index

CrowdScience

Could we completely switch to renewable energy?

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

About BBC World Service