Sustainable Energy Transition in Island Systems with substantial RES and Electricity Storage

Abstract

A sustainable power system will require an extensive reliance on renewable energy sources (RES). Taking into account the fact that a significant share of RES has already been deployed, either on large or a small scale, today’s most crucial issue is their further participation in an extensive and secure power generation expansion to cover the large future energy demand. Although there is the needed capacity of RES that could cover the corresponding demand, the current power system structure and operation emerge limitations, which hold back their further exploitation. The introduction of energy storage systems, such as pump storage and batteries can help the further exploitation of the needed RES by balancing the current load demand and the intermittent power flow of photovoltaics and wind turbines. This paper analyses a recently interconnected island power system operation, as a representative case study, and demonstrates benefits, such as CO2 emissions reduction, and obstacles emerged by ultra-high penetration of RES. This ultra-high share of RES is technically feasible, through strong interconnections and electricity storage systems.