Review of Research Projects that Promote EU Islands’ Energy Systems Transition

Abstract

Isolated energy systems face specific challenges related to their energy supply. These specific challenges include (i) a high dependence on imported fossil fuels; (ii) a more restricted energy supply due to the absence of electricity and gas interconnections; (iii) greater difficulty than continental energy systems in balancing supply and demand; (iv) higher energy costs than continental systems due to the use of more expensive fuels and the lower efficiency of power plants; and (v) high seasonality of demand. As a consequence of all this, isolated energy systems need specific measures to mitigate this situation. In this sense, the use of renewable energy resources could represent an opportunity to, among other things, secure their energy supply, limit the need to import energy, or reduce the cost of such energy. This chapter will contextualize the islands of the European Union and their energy systems, as well as to review some research projects carried out in these isolated energy systems.