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Clean energy for EU islands

Clean energy for EU islands forum 2022 - ACT: Setting up Island Energy Communities

Publication Date

Moderation: Christina Protopapadaki - Clean energy for EU islands secretariat (Th!nk E)

  • Lucía Blanco Cano - Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (Spain)
  • Michail Chatzipanos - Director of Transmission New Projects Department, IPTO, (Greece)
  • Joana Ferreira Rita - Regional Director for Energy at the Azores (Portugal)
  • Nikolaos Hatziargyriou - Professor Emeritus at the National Technical University of Athens (Greece)
  • John (Ioannis) Kaldellis - Vice Rector for Research University of West Attica (Greece)
  • Konstantinos Kyparissis - Chair Of Network Of Experts On Island Systems EURELECTRIC

 

 

Lucía Blanco Cano, Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Spain, spoke about how they installed capacity and demand coverage on islands (Canary islands and Balearic islands).

She also elaborated on the Strategic Framework for the Energy Transition on Islands in Spain. Furthermore, she emphasised the importance of interconnections.

Project Salto de Chira – reversible hydro-pumping plant in Gran Canaria (expected in 2026)

 

Michail Chatzipanos, Director of Transmission New Projects Department at IPTO, Greece, spoke about balancing interconnections and energy storage connecting all major Greek islands by 2030. In order to achieve this goal, reliable, stable and quality power from the mainland, retirement or stand-by of costly local power stations, drastic reduction of CO2 emissions, improved quality of life, and increased RES penetration are needed. Energy storage solutions could help to complement interconnections.

 

Joana Ferreira Rita, Regional Director for Energy on the Azores, Portugal, emphasised that the energy transition is an important issue. The Azores are located 1.500 km from Lisbon with no grid connection to the mainland. The islands have developed a 2030 Azores energy strategy, which serves as a guideline for their energy policy. 

 

Nikolaos Hatziargyriou, Professor Emeritus at the National Technical University of Athens, Greece, spoke about the Smart Islands (Symi, Astypalea, Megisti / Kastelorizo). Their objectives include increasing RES penetration, sustainable solutions, stabilising total energy costs and preventing an increase, providing attractive investment, ensuring the security of power supply, minimising the impact of thermal production, and attracting expertise and know-how to replicate the solutions. 

 

John (Ioannis) Kaldellis, Vice-Rector for Research at the University of West Attica, Greece, said that supporting Greek islands in a fair and green transition, demand management, and interconnections (RES-Energy Storage) are important for the transition to clean energy. 

He explained the current situation for electricity use on the Greek islands. An energy storage concept to improve the entire performance is needed. Energy storage technologies should be combined and provide holistic solutions, including water and waste management, and e-mobility. 

 

Konstantinos Kyparissis, Chair of the Network of Experts on Island Systems, EURELECTRIC, spoke about energy storage on islands challenges and opportunities, and interconnections. Interconnecting is different from decarbonising island. Interconnections can be used as tools that have its pros and cons, interconnections are not a holy grail.