SCIENCE

The Islands With Too Much Power

Tom Scott | January 9, 2025

The Orkney Islands, off the northern tip of Scotland, have so much electricity that it’s actually a problem. Here’s why: and here’s what they’re doing about it. • This video has a correction: Hornsdale Power Reserve didn’t catch fire! It was the newer Victorian Big Battery, near Geelong. Complete blunder on my part, apologies to the Hornsdale team. See all corrections on this channel: https://www.tomscott.com/corrections/

Kirkwall Pier drone shot by Colin Keldie, courtesy of EMEC: http://www.emec.org.uk/
O2 Turbine drone shot courtesy of Orbital Marine: https://www.orbitalmarine.com/

SOURCES:
https://www.4coffshore.com/news/ofgem-extends-orkney-transmission-link-deadline-nid23512.html
https://www.orcadian.co.uk/new-renewable-generation-connections-welcomed-for-first-time-in-eight-years/
https://www.ssen.co.uk/ANM/
https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/orkney/
https://www.oref.co.uk/orkneys-energy/
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/20/orkney-northern-powerhouse-electricity-wind-waves-surplus-power-hydrogen-fuel-cell
https://www.sciencefocus.com/future-technology/the-orkney-islands-the-energy-revolution-starts-here/
https://www.theengineer.co.uk/hydrogen-diesel-injection-orkney-ferry/
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/blaze-at-tesla-big-battery-extinguished-after-three-day-battle-for-control-20210802-p58f6x.html