Anastasia Binopoulou, "Sustainable design of an energy autonomous Island. Application in Ikaria", Diploma Work, School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Chania, Greece, 2023
https://doi.org/10.26233/heallink.tuc.97778
Green islands are emerging as great examples of energy safety, harnessing sustainable power sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. These idyllic places prioritize renewable energy sources like solar and wind ensuring a clean and abundant supply. With innovative technologies, they employ energy storage systems to manage fluctuations and guarantee uninterrupted power. By embracing eco-friendly practices and reducing carbon footprints, green islands pave the way for a sustainable future.Specifically, the Greek islands can become a great example of that as they are not connected to the national energy grid; thus, their energy safety relies on them being energy autonomous. The energy security of the Greek islands nowadays depends on the expensive imported fossil fuels, which exacerbate climate change as well as increase CO2 emissions. Compared to mainland grids, islands have smaller systems and rich renewable resources that can be harnessed.Ikaria is a Greek island located in the northeastern Aegean Sea Island region. Its area is approximately 255 km2, with a coastline of 160 km and roughly 8.312 permanent residents. The population however increases during the summer months, as the island is one of the most visited vacation destinations in Greece. Ikaria is divided into three main municipalities, the Municipality of Agios Kirikos, which is the capital, the Municipality of Evdilos, where the port is located, and the Municipality of Raches, which is in the central west part of the island.The island of Ikaria has an already existing small hydroelectric power plant that was put into operation in 2019. The hybrid system, which is called "Naeras" consists of 3 wind turbines with a total capacity of 2,7 MW, as well as a small hydroelectric system of 1,05 MW in Proespera and a pumped hydro system of 3,1 MW in Kato Proespera. Their total capacity extends up to 6,85 MW. In 2020 its generation amounted to 2 GWh. Except from the hybrid system, the island puts in use some extra wind turbines with a total capacity of 1,8 MW and a few photovoltaic panels with their capacity being approximately 1 MW.After taking into account the combination of solar, wind energy and conversion of the hydroelectric system – already used on the island – into a pumped storage system, calculations were made to determine the additional energy systems to be installed. Various scenarios were examined and presented in order to meet the energy needs of the island.From the simulations, it has occurred that the existing produced power - in addition to energy storage systems that were added - did not suffice for the island to become energy autonomous. The problem primarily occurred during the summer season due to the increase in visitors and the decrease in wind potential. From the data extracted, it was identified which hours needed extra energy demand in order to for the system of the island to become energy autonomous, by using mainly renewable sources of energy.