One of the final digital launches we've worked on this year is for ReFLEX Orkney – a pioneering new project aiming to create a fully-integrated green energy service across the islands. We were delighted to be involved in this project as a digital partner and to welcome ReFLEX as a new client in our renewable energy portfolio.
Led by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), it is a cross-sector partnership between Orkney Islands Council, Heriot-Watt University, Aquatera, SMS and Community Energy Scotland. The team commissioned NB to to design and build a website for the project, with a focus on attracting residents and businesses on the islands to sign up for this pioneering new technology. Our challenge was to create a website that was easy to navigate and clearly explained the benefits to customers of the new, green integrated energy system, which combines electricity, transport and heat.
We started the project with a digital strategy process, working closely with stakeholders and partners. This involved an in-depth research phase and a comprehensive mapping out of the site to ensure it would meet its key objectives of appealing to both individual and business customers.
The result is a clean, contemporary site with a fresh look and feel, with enticing images, clear headings and graphics to guide users through the site. The use of illustrated icons helps to simplify the more complex technologies and creates a completely user-friendly experience.
A key component of the website is the interactive map of Orkney, which shows the islands’ renewable energy projects and useful information, like finding your nearest ReFLEX Orkney hub, electric charge point or car club location. There's also a media section where press and stakeholders can source images, videos and case studies for the project.
ReFLEX's marketing and communications manager Lisa McKenzie said: "I've really enjoyed working with Kylie and Alex at NB. They work through a staged process to ensure that the strategy and objectives of the website are set at the start, and then everything is built out from there.
"They were very accommodating of the flexibility that we required on this project, and were quick to respond to queries and quick to action required changes and updates. On the whole, a very positive experience and NB come highly recommended."
Commenting on the launch, NB's assistant manager Alex Fenton said: "It's been excellent to be involved in a truly innovative project such as ReFLEX. The site needed to communicate a great deal of information on the energy systems and consumer offering, so we worked hard with the project partners to create a site that will work for all audiences.
"We look forward to seeing how the project evolves and hope that it will provide a framework for replication that can assist other communities to benefit from a greener and more efficient energy provision."