Island facts
According to the DSO, in 2022, renewable electricity generation on Ruhnu accounted for 108% of the total consumption, with the small island annually consuming 450 MWh. Ruhnu's electricity supply relies on a combination of solar panels (200 kW), a wind turbine (50 kW), a battery bank (180 kW/220 kWh), and a biodiesel generator (160 kW), all managed by smart automation.
As part of the 30 for 2030 call the following activities are planned:
The study for the decarbonisation of transport, both road and marine, aims to meet the mobility needs of local stakeholders in Saaremaa and Ruhnu. This will involve an analysis of mobility requirements and decarbonisation technologies, which will depend on the source of fuel. The study will examine the transport needs and the technologies currently in use, as well as optimising transportation to maximise efficiency.
Another study will focus on analysing the technical needs for the integration of decentralised renewable energy sources (RES) and enhancing grid flexibility, including necessary reinforcements. This will involve evaluating the grid reinforcements required for integrating distributed RES generation. The study will also consider the flexibility and demand response aspects, identifying the technology needed to increase flexibility and exploring methods to engage and implement demand response.
In addition, there will be an analysis of the optimal approach to implementing demand response with end-users. This will include examining the technical and regulatory aspects of engaging end-users and determining how to remunerate their involvement, alongside analysing the business model for end-users.
A communication strategy will be developed to engage local stakeholders in the energy transition. Furthermore, an analysis will be conducted on the use of seaweed and reed resources for energy generation, focusing on what these materials can be used for in terms of energy production that would be beneficial for the island. This will involve a techno-economic analysis of the locally available natural resources.
The situation for the 30 for 2030 call mirrors that of Saaremaa and both islands have applied in a joined application Saaremaa | Clean energy for EU islands (europa.eu)