How can small islands and communities without electricity grids gain access to reliable and renewable electricity? This is the central question in the new ETRIC project in which IVL is participating. The project, which has a total budget of SEK 56 million, will demonstrate a solution in which tidal power is used as the base power in an isolated electricity system in the Faroe Islands.
–We will analyze the environmental performance of the technology and contribute our expertise in sustainability analysis. It feels both exciting and important to be part of this project, where we can contribute to the sustainable energy solutions of the future, says Pierre Ingmarsson, Innovation Leader for Blue Economy at IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute.
Remote islands face major challenges when it comes to energy supply. They are often completely dependent on imported fossil fuels, which makes them vulnerable to both price increases and disruptions in supply chains. At the same time, access to the electricity grid is often limited or non-existent, which hinders the transition to renewable energy.
Innovative technology in challenging environments
The microgrid based on tidal power that will be built and tested on the remote island of Fugloy in the Faroe Islands is a clear example of how innovative technology can address real, practical needs in challenging environments. By integrating a tidal turbine developed by the company Minesto with an energy storage system and local grid control, a stable and flexible electricity supply will be created.
IVL’s mission is to ensure that the development and implementation of tidal power technology complies with environmental requirements and is sustainable in the long term. This involves, among other things, measuring and modeling underwater noise from tidal turbines to ensure that disturbances to marine ecosystems and wildlife are kept to a minimum.
–Understanding and minimizing underwater noise is crucial to protecting marine ecosystems as we develop new ocean energy. This is particularly important given the cumulative effects that may occur in the future, when we plan to install larger energy parks with multiple turbines. By integrating these insights into the design and operation of the technology, we can help develop sustainable and environmentally friendly energy solutions that take into account both local and regional impacts on marine environments, says Torbjörn Johansson, who leads IVL’s work on underwater noise.
IVL will also conduct a life cycle analysis to assess the technology’s climate and environmental impact and apply the principles of Safe and Sustainable by Design to ensure that the technology is resource-efficient, recyclable, and safe for people and the environment.
For more information, please contact:
Pierre Ingmarsson, pierre.ingmarsson@ivl.se, tel. 010-788 65 01
Torbjörn Johansson, torbjorn.johansson@ivl.se, tel. 010-788 67 02
The ETRIC project – Energy transition for remote islands and communities – is a collaboration between Minesto, Capture Energy, the Faroese energy company Sev, and IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute. The project will run for two years and has a total budget of SEK 56 million, of which SEK 25 million is development support from the Swedish Energy Agency.
This article was translated into English with DeepL. The original Swedish version was published on IVL’s website: https://www.ivl.se/press/nyheter/2025-08-22-tidvattenkraft-ska-ge-stabil-och-fornybar-el-pa-faroarna.html
Image source: Minesto.
