Intelligent Energy Solutions For Isolated Territories: The Ushant Case Study

The ICE project tackles the key challenge faced by the Channel area in reducing the energy vulnerability of the region. Isolated territories such as islands and peripheral communities of the Channel area are either located at the end of energy distribution networks or depends mainly on fossil fuel generation which can be expensive and vulnerable to supply issues. In this context, Ushant island (850 inhabitants) has a strong and demanding objective: reach 100% renewable by 2030 with a checkpoint at 50% in 2023 while ensuring quality and without undermining the security and reliability of the electric grid.
The ICE project aimed to provide routes to set up a smart grid in Ushant comprising local renewable energy productions, including the first tidal turbine connected to the grid in France, with automated management of the energy mix by an Energy Management System and an electricity storage battery. The smart-grid also includes a communication infrastructure using LoRa technology, allowing continuous feedback of consumption and air quality information in public buildings. At the same time, this infrastructure disseminates information in real time on the state of the electricity network, enabling residents to shift their consumption, or even plan and automate electricity consumption such as heating or domestic hot water production.