Assessing a Transition to 100% Renewable Power Generation in a Non-interconnected Area: A Case Study for La Réunion Island

Abstract

In this paper, we present a global and multi-timescale approach for assessing energy transition policies aiming at fully renewable generation in power systems of non-interconnected areas, typically islands or isolated regions. The approach links together three dynamic models:(i) a capacity expansion model, ETEM-SG, proposes an investment and production plan for typical days, at the horizon 2030; (ii) a simplified dispatch model is used to validate the production plan for a full year data of weather and demand variations and; (iii) a static & dynamic power system analysis is used to assess the stability of the new power network for fast occurring events like, e.g., a sudden reduction of renewable production. The proposed three-stage approach generates a least-cost long-term investment planning that ensures a supply-demand balance at an hourly time-step and power network statibility at a few millisecond time scale. The presentaion is based on a case study fully described in a report [1] made with ADEME, the French Agency for ecological transition, for the French island La Réunion. It shows how a reliable 100% renewable power supply is reachable by 2030, in this area.

Energy transition awareness: Can it guide local transition planning on islands?

“…Gotland is involved in a number of governmentally funded initiatives investigating the energy transition potential of the island [ 12 , 17 ] as well as specific steps for transition like investigation of storage alternatives [ 18 ] and smart grid technologies [ 19 ]. A good deal of consideration has also been given to the potential methods to increase La Réunion's renewable energy sources (RES) utilization [ [20] , [21] , [22] ], including technical paths to achieving energy autonomy [ 23 , 24 ]. Research for the island of Mallorca has largely focused around improving the sustainability of its tourism industry [ [25] , [26] , [27] ].…”