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.
Highlights
Introduction on RE Integration on IslandsIslands’ energy systems are like most other energy systems aiming to utilize renewable energy (RE)to supply their demands
Orkney, and Madeira are in the transition to increase the RE share towards 100%—this is addressed in different ways depending on the local conditions and current development phases in the transition
Investigating the transition towards 100% RE supply for islands, this paper presents transition scenarios for Samsø, Orkney, and Madeira with their potentials and challenges
Summary
They are under more pressure due to their inherent isolation and higher dependence on their natural surroundings, including conditions affecting possible RE utilization. The European Union (EU) has the general ambition to increase the use of RE in the near future [1], and various studies suggest how to increase the use up to 100% through sector integration [2,3]. Islands are to follow the same trend despite their limitations, but they can benefit much more from local utilization of local resources to increase self-sufficiency. Research has already touched on the present and potential future, and the limits of RE on islands as it can be difficult to increase the RE share without proper step-by-step integration and balancing
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