COPOWER project advances renewable energy in the Faroe Islands

On June 17 and 18, the COPOWER project held its fifth partner meeting in Tórshavn (Faroe Island). Hosted by Nólsoy Energy, this meeting brought together partners and stakeholders to review project progress, plan for the future, and look at exciting new ways to use renewable energy.

Day one focused on project advancements and outlining the next steps for the next six months. The afternoon provided an immersive experience with study visits across the island, offering firsthand insights into various renewable energy technologies. Participants toured diverse sites including a black wall source heat pump, a biogas plant, the Sund Power Plant, solar installations at a fish farm and Betri Banki, a small hydropower station, and the innovative Minesto tidal power site in Vestmanna. These visits showcased the tangible potential of community-based Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) in fostering a sustainable energy future.

Day two shifted its focus to the crucial role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in energy forecasting and the optimization of VPPs. A morning workshop at the University of Faroe Islands convened researchers and energy experts. Presentations by Jákup Svøðstein (University of Faroe Islands), Andrias Klein Gregoriussen (Meteorological Station), Terji Nielsen (Elfelagið SEV), and Fabian Sander (Centria University of Applied Sciences / COPOWER) explored into the applications of AI in general forecasting, weather forecasting, renewable energy forecasting, and VPP optimization. An open discussion followed, encouraging collaboration between partners and local stakeholders.

The meeting finished with a boat trip to Nólsoy. The group visited the local museum and saw a heating system that helps the community, showing off practical energy solutions.

A big thank you goes to Bjarti Thomsen from Nólsoy Energy for organising such a productive and inspiring event for everyone involved.