Periodic Reporting for period 2 - IANOS (IntegrAted SolutioNs for the DecarbOnization and Smartification of Islands)
Reporting period: 2022-04-01 to 2023-03-31
Almost 3.5% of European citizens live in geographical islands (in more than 2,700 islands on the European Continent). Specific energy-related challenges and trends pertain to the majority of EU islands: high dependence on fossil fuels or energy import from mainland; seasonality of demand (tourist arrivals in small islands have increased by >30% during the last decade); continuously increasing non-controllable RES penetration that displaces conventional generation, dramatically reducing grid inertia (especially in smaller islands - isolated networks); - all of which make for a more burdensome and expensive pathway to ensure energy security and resilience compared to the mainland. However, opportunities can also arise as, compared to the highly complex mainland energy systems, solutions towards RES integration are easier to deploy and have a significant decarbonization impact on islands’ ecosystems. Islands can be also great candidates for maintaining active Local Energy Communities (LECs). In that sense IANOS offers an excellent opportunity to demonstrate and replicate the symbiotic operation of various energy streams in EU islands, unlocking their great potential to act as Lighthouses of pan-European decarbonization. The three main axis of action of IANOS called Transition Tracks are illustrated in Figure 1.
During this first periodic reporting of 18 months the IANOS project has focused on the definition of the requirements for all the technologies and the demonstrators, this included the definition of the Use Cases, the overall KPIs of the project and the definition of the system architecture for each of Lighthouse Islands Terceira and Ameland. Moreover, in WP2 and thorough analysis of the regulatory and financial barriers for the lighthouse and fellow islands was also prepared alongside a decarbonisation masterplan. In WP3 the work has been focused on developing the first version of the IANOS Energy Planning and Transition Suite, at the end of the reporting period a first version was delivered. In WP4 the focus was on the development of the intelligent Virtual Power Plant which has also delivered a first version of all of its components at the end of this reporting period. In the two demonstration WPs (5 and 6) works have started with the different technologies providers working in the advancement of TRL of their solutions and with a first deployment plan being delivered. An important focus was given to the risk management and mitigation actions due to the risks associated with the development and deployment of the different solutions on time in the demonstrators. Finally, activities were focused on the dissemination and communication of the project to raise awareness for the project strategies and solutions.
Throughout the second reporting period, between M19 and M30, most of the project consortium actively contributed to the progress achieved within the different activities developed. Some challenges popped up, mainly linked to the challenging technical implementation proposed for the two LH islands, Ameland and Terceira. Despite the overall progress achieved during the period the project’s consortium is now dealing with highly impactful risks, that can potentially jeopardise a successful implementation of some UCs proposed for Ameland. In Terceira, some delays with the final deployment of key technologies are also holding back the beginning of the demonstration and pilot monitoring phases.
On another note, in what concerns stakeholders’ engagement, namely end-users, and fellow islands active involvement, mainly linked to project’s results valuation and replication potential assessment, the partners have committed to surpass some of the shortcomings reported previously particularly linked to COVID-19 pandemic aftermath.
Also, in WP5, as previously reported, the partner BAREAU didn’t provide any contribution to the development of the activities during the period, after failing to reach the criteria to obtain funds to develop the High-pressure Digester also as reported before. WP5 leader,the Municipality of Ameland, together with the project’s coordination team, is now working on finding a final resolution on this issue.
The iVPP is now fully developed and its different modules are being implemented within the LH islands’ piloting activities.
Within the reporting period the development of most of the technologies was concluded, and some solutions were tested and pre-validated in lab and are now already deployed or about to be installed at the pilot sites.
Energy Planning and Transition Suite (IEPT) was finalized. This toolset aims to assist all key islands stakeholders into structuring an effective RES portfolio and island decarbonisation plan. The main tools delivered include: a dedicated web platform for Life Cycle Analysis/Life Cycle Cost(LCA/LCC) studies, an equity crowdfunding tool, a blended with power system modelling and simulation tools, and a Cost-Benefit tool.
Throughout the second reporting period, between M19 and M30, most of the project consortium actively contributed to the progress achieved within the different activities developed. Some challenges popped up, mainly linked to the challenging technical implementation proposed for the two LH islands, Ameland and Terceira. Despite the overall progress achieved during the period the project’s consortium is now dealing with highly impactful risks, that can potentially jeopardise a successful implementation of some UCs proposed for Ameland. In Terceira, some delays with the final deployment of key technologies are also holding back the beginning of the demonstration and pilot monitoring phases.
On another note, in what concerns stakeholders’ engagement, namely end-users, and fellow islands active involvement, mainly linked to project’s results valuation and replication potential assessment, the partners have committed to surpass some of the shortcomings reported previously particularly linked to COVID-19 pandemic aftermath.
Also, in WP5, as previously reported, the partner BAREAU didn’t provide any contribution to the development of the activities during the period, after failing to reach the criteria to obtain funds to develop the High-pressure Digester also as reported before. WP5 leader,the Municipality of Ameland, together with the project’s coordination team, is now working on finding a final resolution on this issue.
The iVPP is now fully developed and its different modules are being implemented within the LH islands’ piloting activities.
Within the reporting period the development of most of the technologies was concluded, and some solutions were tested and pre-validated in lab and are now already deployed or about to be installed at the pilot sites.
Energy Planning and Transition Suite (IEPT) was finalized. This toolset aims to assist all key islands stakeholders into structuring an effective RES portfolio and island decarbonisation plan. The main tools delivered include: a dedicated web platform for Life Cycle Analysis/Life Cycle Cost(LCA/LCC) studies, an equity crowdfunding tool, a blended with power system modelling and simulation tools, and a Cost-Benefit tool.
The progress beyond the state of the art, expected results until the end of the project and potential impacts defined in the GA are still relevant. The project progress towards the demonstration of several innovative solutions in the islanded context is significant and the tools to coordinate the different assets plus helping decision makers guide their energy transition plans are also innovative and with great potential to create impact not only on the lighthouse islands but also on the fellows as well as throughout the different islanded territories in Europe.