Periodic Reporting for period 2 - INSULAE (Maximizing the impact of innovative energy approaches in the EU islands)
Reporting period: 2020-10-01 to 2022-03-31
The aim of INSULAE is to foster the deployment of innovative solutions for EU island decarbonization by developing and demonstrating at three Lighthouse Islands (located in Croatia, in Denmark and in Portugal) a set of interventions linked to seven replicable use cases, whose results will validate an Investment Planning Tool that will then be demonstrated at four Follower Islands (located in Spain, in Germany , in France the overseas department of Guadeloupe, and in Greece) for the development of four associated Action Plans. The chosen islands are complementary in many aspects: location, size, connection with the mainland, economic development, renewable share and carbon intensity. There are also some ancillary benefits associated with the decarbonisation initiatives.
The interventions will prove the ability of the use cases to develop RES-based systems 40-70% cheaper than diesel generation, thus, enabling an average reduction of the fossil fuel consumption of 11% after a large deployment of the use cases in the INSULAE islands.
The INSULAE IPT will support the decision maker on the selection and design of cost effective Action Plans looking for the island decarbonization. It will be mainly composed by two modules: the Island modeling assistant and the Scenarisation module.
The legal and regulatory framework of 57% of the total population living in EU islands will be directly considered within the project.
The project team is carefully balanced along the value chain comprising public authorities, energy and water utilities, technology providers, energy software developers, RTOs, an environment NGO, a business models expert, engineering companies and one entity for social aspects and replication.
All the activities need to be carried out with sensitivity to the local island communities needs and expectations, requiring effective communication and engagement on a local level, and engagement across the demonstrators to look for synergies and common problems.
The interventions will prove the ability of the use cases to develop RES-based systems 40-70% cheaper than diesel generation, thus, enabling an average reduction of the fossil fuel consumption of 11% after a large deployment of the use cases in the INSULAE islands.
The INSULAE IPT will support the decision maker on the selection and design of cost effective Action Plans looking for the island decarbonization. It will be mainly composed by two modules: the Island modeling assistant and the Scenarisation module.
The legal and regulatory framework of 57% of the total population living in EU islands will be directly considered within the project.
The project team is carefully balanced along the value chain comprising public authorities, energy and water utilities, technology providers, energy software developers, RTOs, an environment NGO, a business models expert, engineering companies and one entity for social aspects and replication.
All the activities need to be carried out with sensitivity to the local island communities needs and expectations, requiring effective communication and engagement on a local level, and engagement across the demonstrators to look for synergies and common problems.
The charcterisation of islands and island energy systems and analysis of societal and legislative hurdles has been carried out. Culminating in the set of reference islands and a methodology to characterise islands and compare them. Societal and economic issues related to proposed interventions have been included in assessments, as well as waysy to overcome the related barriers.
This work connects with the IPT as a basis for modelling of the energy system and likely ideas for future planning based on the island characteristics and relation to other islands.
The IPT is functional and has been tested in advance of replication actions which have begun with the lighthouse and follower islands. The replication requires a close understanding of the different interventions and the IPT and the needs of the involved lighthouse and folllower islands.
The modelling, design, and engineering of the equipment to be used is complete across all three lighthouse islands, this has involved research and industry partners arriving at engineering specifications for the solutions to achieve the expected outcomes, and advancing the components that will be used in the final solutions. The existing equipment and energy infrastructure has been carefully modelled to form a strong basis for the designed interventions.
In many cases the equipment has been installed, commissioned, and is operational and gathering data. In some other cases equipment should soon be installed or replanning and mititgation actions are underway.
The big data platform is operational and will continue to be adapted to project data storage and data flow needs.
On the demonstrator islands themselves, apart from community engagement, approvals and engagement with the local authorities to allow the work of equipment has been completed and in many cases the equipment has been installed and is operational.
Potential exploitation of technologies and business models have been advanced and updated from the initial analysis of key exploitable results and ownership, business models, and exploitation strategies.
Dissemination tasks have been focussed on the outcomes of research and technical work, with some events being attended and papers being submitted. Initial events on islands focussed on community engagement prior to COVID 19 effects. Dissemination activity will increase now that the demonstrators are coming online and hopefully with the increased freedom of movement that can now be expected.
This work connects with the IPT as a basis for modelling of the energy system and likely ideas for future planning based on the island characteristics and relation to other islands.
The IPT is functional and has been tested in advance of replication actions which have begun with the lighthouse and follower islands. The replication requires a close understanding of the different interventions and the IPT and the needs of the involved lighthouse and folllower islands.
The modelling, design, and engineering of the equipment to be used is complete across all three lighthouse islands, this has involved research and industry partners arriving at engineering specifications for the solutions to achieve the expected outcomes, and advancing the components that will be used in the final solutions. The existing equipment and energy infrastructure has been carefully modelled to form a strong basis for the designed interventions.
In many cases the equipment has been installed, commissioned, and is operational and gathering data. In some other cases equipment should soon be installed or replanning and mititgation actions are underway.
The big data platform is operational and will continue to be adapted to project data storage and data flow needs.
On the demonstrator islands themselves, apart from community engagement, approvals and engagement with the local authorities to allow the work of equipment has been completed and in many cases the equipment has been installed and is operational.
Potential exploitation of technologies and business models have been advanced and updated from the initial analysis of key exploitable results and ownership, business models, and exploitation strategies.
Dissemination tasks have been focussed on the outcomes of research and technical work, with some events being attended and papers being submitted. Initial events on islands focussed on community engagement prior to COVID 19 effects. Dissemination activity will increase now that the demonstrators are coming online and hopefully with the increased freedom of movement that can now be expected.
The results are directed at decarbonisation and multi-faceted improvement of island energy systems; and a framework for replication of the technological solutions through the IPT and reference islands.
Specific technical results expected are outlined below.
On Unije
Dramatically increased solar energy proportion through a PV plant and battery storage.
Decreased curtailment of renewables and improved efficiency in desalination operations by combined water and energy system management.
Peak demand reduction due to widespread smart demand side management.
On Bornholm
Improved renewable energy grid efficiency by introduction of a DC micro grid to avoid inefficiencies in conversion from production to distribution network.
Increased use of waste and sustainable biomass energy sources for district heating, electricity production and biofuel production for transport.
In Madeira
Increased penetration of electric vehicles by expanding charging infrastructure.
Increased allowable penetration of renewable production and improved power quality by using electric vehicle batteries to provide grid services and grid energy storage through special charging stations and market initiatives.
Improved power quality by use of a battery system and power electronics potentially also allowing increased penetration of renewable production.
From the IPT and related replication efforts.
Framework for replication of success in other islands through the IPT software; the background of extensive island categorisation and modelling; other data collection; and creation of viable business models and cases.
Replication of the process after project finalisation with other islands, 4 follower islands are engaged during the project to kick off this post project phase.
General results expected from project and replication.
Decarbonisation of island energy systems through innovations allowing increased renewable penetration and energy efficiency in supply and demand.
Improving island energy independence by increasing local generation; and through intelligent energy systems that improve efficiency.
Increasing renewable energy as a proportion of islands energy mix by use of innovative grid and storage solutions.
Increasing power quality through innovative grid and storage solutions.
Improved air quality and environmental outcomes through reduction in fossil fuel use for electricity generation and transport.
Introducing integrated energy systems that make best use of available infrastructure and resources, such as: sustainable biomass as a constant generation backup; integration with desalination to reduce renewable energy curtailment.
Following on from all of this, technological solutions that are generalisable and transferrable to other islands and isolated energy systems.
Replicable business models and cases that motivate uptake of the innovative technological solutions and accelerate decarbonisation especially of isolated energy systems.
Specific technical results expected are outlined below.
On Unije
Dramatically increased solar energy proportion through a PV plant and battery storage.
Decreased curtailment of renewables and improved efficiency in desalination operations by combined water and energy system management.
Peak demand reduction due to widespread smart demand side management.
On Bornholm
Improved renewable energy grid efficiency by introduction of a DC micro grid to avoid inefficiencies in conversion from production to distribution network.
Increased use of waste and sustainable biomass energy sources for district heating, electricity production and biofuel production for transport.
In Madeira
Increased penetration of electric vehicles by expanding charging infrastructure.
Increased allowable penetration of renewable production and improved power quality by using electric vehicle batteries to provide grid services and grid energy storage through special charging stations and market initiatives.
Improved power quality by use of a battery system and power electronics potentially also allowing increased penetration of renewable production.
From the IPT and related replication efforts.
Framework for replication of success in other islands through the IPT software; the background of extensive island categorisation and modelling; other data collection; and creation of viable business models and cases.
Replication of the process after project finalisation with other islands, 4 follower islands are engaged during the project to kick off this post project phase.
General results expected from project and replication.
Decarbonisation of island energy systems through innovations allowing increased renewable penetration and energy efficiency in supply and demand.
Improving island energy independence by increasing local generation; and through intelligent energy systems that improve efficiency.
Increasing renewable energy as a proportion of islands energy mix by use of innovative grid and storage solutions.
Increasing power quality through innovative grid and storage solutions.
Improved air quality and environmental outcomes through reduction in fossil fuel use for electricity generation and transport.
Introducing integrated energy systems that make best use of available infrastructure and resources, such as: sustainable biomass as a constant generation backup; integration with desalination to reduce renewable energy curtailment.
Following on from all of this, technological solutions that are generalisable and transferrable to other islands and isolated energy systems.
Replicable business models and cases that motivate uptake of the innovative technological solutions and accelerate decarbonisation especially of isolated energy systems.