Transitioning Island Energy Systems—Local Conditions, Development Phases, and Renewable Energy Integration

Abstract

Islands typically have sensitive energy systems depending on natural surroundings, but innovative technologies and the exploitation of renewable energy (RE) sources present opportunities like self-sufficiency, but also challenges, such as grid instability. Samsø, Orkney, and Madeira are in the transition to increase the RE share towards 100%—however, this is addressed in different ways depending on the local conditions and current development phases in the transition. Scenarios focusing on the short-term introduction of new technologies in the energy systems are presented, where the electricity sector is coupled with the other energy sectors. Here, both smart grid and sector-integrating solutions form an important part in the next 5–15 years. The scenarios are analyzed using the modeling tool EnergyPLAN, enabling a comparison of today’s reference scenarios with 2030 scenarios of higher RE share. By including three islands across Europe, different locations, development stages, and interconnection levels are analyzed. The analyses suggest that the various smart grid solutions play an important part in the transition; however, local conditions, sector integration, and balancing technologies even more so. Overall, the suggestions complement each other and pave the way to reach 100% RE integration for both islands and, potentially, other similar regions.

Integrating Social Dimensions into Future Sustainable Energy Supply Networks

“…Public initiatives with a goal to stop energy projects are usually seen as an emergency tool for those stakeholders that were not addressed in project preparation. As best seen from the case of the Danish island of Samso, successful transformation to energy self-sufficiency based on sustainable energy sources required time-intensive negotiations with the local community and was achieved by successful integration of the local stakeholders as strategic and financial partners of the energy industry responsible for the new energy production facilities [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Islands with Zero Net Carbon Footprint due to Electricity Use. The Case of Crete, Greece

“…According to this decision member states have the right to decide on the preferable energy mix and to choose the most appropriate energy technologies for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Marczinkowski et al [12] have investigated the transitioning in island's energy systems towards 100% RES by 2030. The authors studied the transitioning in three European islands, Samso, Orkney and Madeira towards energy self-sufficiency with 100% REs.…”

District Heating Tariffs, Economic Optimisation and Local Strategies during Radical Technological Change

“…This can be achieved through a 100 percent variable heat tariff. (2) Policies that ensure access to the social economic capital costs for heat savings. This would ensure that the private economic costs of building refurbishment are equal to the social economic costs of heat savings.…”

“…In the ongoing international transition towards renewable energy systems, cities and local authorities play an important role [1,2]. Cities and local authorities, for instance, have a role to play particularly when it comes to heating, where planning procedures may give them the competence to set requirements for type of heating installation.…”