Transitioning Island Energy Systems—Local Conditions, Development Phases, and Renewable Energy Integration

Hannah Mareike Marczinkowski, Poul Alberg Østergaard and Søren Roth Djørup
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Hannah Mareike Marczinkowski: Department of Planning, Aalborg University, Rendsburggade 14, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
Poul Alberg Østergaard: Department of Planning, Aalborg University, Rendsburggade 14, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
Søren Roth Djørup: Department of Planning, Aalborg University, Rendsburggade 14, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 18, 1-20

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.

Keywords: island energy system transition; 100% RE pathways; RE integration; smart grid technologies; energy sector integration; smart energy system; Samsø; Orkney; Madeira (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (18)

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