Graciosa

The electricity consumption on Graciosa Island is already supplied, on average, at 62% from renewable energy yearly. However, there is a lot of curtailed energy that is not used in a practical way. 

One identified reason for the curtailed energy is the lack of flexibility on the demand side. Hence, integrating flexible electrified loads associated with dynamic tariff prices or any other type of incentives to the final customers would stimulate consumption in periods where greater renewable generation is available, and thus, it would reduce curtailment. The integration of a significant number of EVs would add more flexibility and simultaneously reduce the carbon footprint on the island's ground transportation sector, which relies mostly on cars which use internal combustion engines with high associated CO2 emissions. Nevertheless, a techno-economic analysis would have to be made to evaluate the feasibility of such an approach, namely the optimal number of EVs to be integrated and the impact of switching from simple, bi-hourly and three-hour tariffs to dynamic tariffs. Other flexible electrical loads should also be considered, such as the electric water pumps part of the Municipality water supply and distribution department. 

It is also intended to explore technical solutions to decarbonise other critical sectors of the island, such as agriculture, water supply and distribution, and treatment of urban waste and wastewater. 

Concerning agriculture and animal waste, organic waste and urban wastewater, it is intended to assess the feasibility of producing biogas locally to replace the bottled LPA gas transported by ship to the island for water heating and cooking use. Besides reducing the carbon footprint, this would still enable the creation of an island circular economy concept among the aforementioned sectors.