Use of Renewable Energy Sources for Energy Generation in Rural Areas in the Island of Crete, Greece

Abstract

Use of renewable energies in rural areas in the island of Crete, Greece has been investigated. Crete has rich indigenous renewable energy resources which are currently utilized for covering part of its energy requirements. Various renewable energy technologies used for heat and electricity generation in the island have been examined. Solar energy, wind energy, hydro power, biomass, and low enthalpy geothermal energy are already used. The total installed electric power of renewable energies in Crete, located mostly in rural areas, is approximately at 30% of the total electric power installed. They currently generate more than 20% of the island’s annual electricity needs. More renewable energy applications are foreseen in the future in rural areas in Crete as soon as its electric grid will be interconnected with the country’s continental grid. New renewable energy technologies, which are not currently used, could generate in the future heat, cooling, electricity, and vehicle’s fuels in the island. Their use will have positive impacts including the promotion of energy investments, lower use of imported and polluting fossil fuels, de-carbonization of the island’s energy sector as well as creation of new local jobs. It is indicated that the rich renewable energy resources in Crete could provide almost all of its annual energy needs. This will result in Crete’s transformation to a low or zero carbon economy in accordance with EU targets for zero carbon emissions in the next decades complying with the global goal for climate change mitigation.