Rathlin Island wind/diesel/battery system

Since 1972 the Rathlin Island community has wanted to acquire a mains supply of electricity for the island. Wind power was becoming increasingly possible and proposals for a wind/diesel/battery power system were first noted in 1990. The authors describe how, in 1991, an outline design for a hybrid scheme comprising three diesel-electric generators coupled with three wind energy conversion units and utilising battery storage as a buffer to minimise diesel startups was adopted. Site construction work started in January 1992 and the system was officially energised on 16 October 1992