Smart Islands Energy Project

Hitachi, is a renowned Japanese multinational electronics company headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo. They are a Climate Change Innovator, helping governments, cities and companies cut carbon.

Hitachi were working Smart Islands Energy project on the Isles of Scilly (IoS). Its aim was to transition IoS to 40 percent renewable energy by 2025 and reduce energy costs by 40 percent. The process involved tracking and managing energy supply, storage, and demand across the islands.

The goal was to empower the community to better utilise renewable energy within the network. As part of the project, the European Regional Development Fund provided partial funding for the creation of an animated storyboard, and AndAnotherDay was approached for this task.

The primary objective of the project was to develop an animated storyboard that served as a comprehensive resource library and online timeline for the Smart Islands Energy project. The storyboard needed to consolidate all project assets and threads into a cohesive and consistent platform. It had to be accessible to various audiences, including project stakeholders, potential investors, individuals interested in smart energy, and the islanders themselves. Furthermore, the presentation had to be easily transportable for integration into third-party websites and web applications.

The project required a phased approach to deliver a visually rich user experience that could evolve alongside the Smart Islands Energy project. AndAnotherDay ensured the capability to incorporate multiple content types, including data-driven charts, graphs, illustrations, infographics, third-party content (supplier and stakeholder statements, progress reports, blogs, articles), videos (talking heads, presentations, experiences, vlogs), and PDF documents (white papers, studies, research, plans).

The creative process began with a workshop session between AndAnotherDay and the Hitachi team in Maidenhead. The workshop facilitated collaboration between creative and technical leads from both teams to align objectives and establish a phased approach. The session helped Hitachi understand the project’s possibilities within the given timeline.

Throughout the project, AndAnotherDay maintained clear communication and project management with Hitachi. An agile system, supported by Jira, ensured that project plans were shared and followed consistently. The team focused on achieving set goals, regularly reviewing progress to meet deadlines.

AndAnotherDay’s designers collaborated closely with Hitachi to align the project with their branding, visual identity, and narrative requirements. The creative direction was maintained consistently, ensuring the timeline delighted and inspired the target audience while adhering to strict guidelines.

The timeline project utilised various technologies, including GASP/Greensock for animations and transitions, PHP, and JQuery. This combination facilitated smooth and quick loading of the timeline, despite its substantial visual data. The framework was designed to be easily updatable, ensuring future flexibility.

AndAnotherDay employed its expertise in content creation and framework development to build the animated storyboard. Great emphasis was placed on usability, accessibility, and the use of high-quality content to engage the audience effectively.

The collaboration between Hitachi and AndAnotherDay resulted in the successful development of an animated storyboard that showcased the Smart Islands Energy project’s progress and assets. The platform met the needs of multiple stakeholders, including project participants, investors, and the local community. The timeline’s quick loading, easy updating, and excellent usability ensured a seamless user experience.

Throughout the project, several valuable lessons were learned. It became clear that a phased approach was essential for managing project complexities and achieving immediate objectives while allowing for future growth. Effective communication, regular reviews, and adherence to clear goals contributed to meeting project deadlines and ensuring a successful outcome.

The collaboration between Hitachi and AndAnotherDay resulted in the development of a comprehensive and visually captivating animated storyboard for the Smart Islands Energy project. The platform’s flexible design, encompassing various content types, allowed effective communication with stakeholders and engaged the target audience. The success of the project showcased the capabilities of both Hitachi and AndAnotherDay in delivering innovative solutions for renewable energy initiatives.