The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), energy storage innovator Gravitricity and Crown Estate Scotland were among the winners announced last night at the Scottish Green Energy Awards in Edinburgh.
EMEC won the Champion of Renewables award for its ocean energy test facility, while Gravitricity’s energy storage system, which uses excess electricity to winch weights to charge the system and then releases these when energy is required, was announced as the Best Innovation winner.
The award for Outstanding Contribution was given to John Robertson, head of energy and infrastructure at Crown Estate Scotland.
The Best Engagement Award was presented to Muirhall Energy for its 46MW Crossdykes wind farm, while the Allt an Lagain Hydro Scheme won the Sustainable Development Award.
In total, Scottish Renewables announced 13 winners at the event, which was attended by more than 1000 people.
Winners were selected by a panel of 14 judges from a shortlist of 43 nominees, with EDF Renewables the headline sponsor.
Other successes were West Dunbartonshire Council and Vital Energi, taking the Carbon Reduction Award for the Queens Quay Water Source Heat Pump project.
The Scottish project harnesses heat from the River Clyde and distributes it via a 2.5km district heating network to provide 82% of the heat demand on the development.
Community Development Company was announced as the winner of the Best Community Project Award for its 900kW Greencraig community wind turbine, which will over its lifetime, generate 55.4 gigawatt-hours of electricity and offset more than 15,000 tonnes of CO2.
University of Strathclyde student, Fraser Stewart, picked up the Young and Inspiring Award and ESP was handed the Contribution to Skills Award for its energy efficiency training network.
Winner of the Outstanding Project Award was Dumfries and Galloway College and the winner of the Outstanding Service Award was engineering company Blargoans.
Pegasus Welfare Solutions was presented with the Positive Improvement Award for its In-Tower Turbine Toilet, while Natural Power went home with the Judges Award.
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson also gave a keynote address highlighting the important role renewable energy will play in Scotland’s journey to net-zero.
Scottish Renewables Director of Policy Morag Watson said: “I’m absolutely delighted that our industry has been able to reunite in-person to celebrate this year’s Scottish Green Energy Awards – and it feels more special than ever in the year of COP26.
“It’s truly astounding to see the leaps of innovation and phenomenal talent of our industry on this evening’s shortlist and it really does highlight why Scotland is a world leader in renewable energy.
“The next decade is going to need everyone and everything we’ve got as we work towards net-zero by 2045, and the skillset, hard work and commitment of those recognised tonight absolutely shows we have what it takes.
“The Scottish Green Energy Awards are an incredible celebration of the inspirational organisations, people and projects going above and beyond to make a real difference to the health, wealth and wellbeing of Scotland. My congratulations go to all off this year’s nominees, and of course winners.”
EDF Renewables chief executive officer of UK and Ireland Matthieu Hue said: “It’s been a great night of achievement and we’ve had so many fantastic entries I’m sure the judges had a difficult job picking the winners.
“It fills me with hope for the future when I see how dedicated, innovative and determined people are to really make renewables something Scotland can be very proud of.”