On 16 May, after this year's Clean energy for EU islands forum in Pantelleria, we organised a workshop on Smart electricity systems and their role in the decarbonisation of islands as part of the capacity building activities of the secretariat.
Focus Areas:
The workshop focused on enhancing the flexibility of electricity grids through storage solutions and demand-side management (DSM). Based on inputs from participating islands, it covered topics such as the role of storage in grid stability, energy communities, and best practice examples.
The workshop included an in-depth panel on storage solutions, exploring alternatives beyond batteries, such as pumped-hydro energy storage (PHES), compressed air energy storage (CAES), and thermal storage technologies. A case study on lithium-ion batteries on Pantelleria Island and the Greek regulatory approach to non-interconnected islands were also presented.
Discussions on energy communities highlighted their role in grid stability and explored the new European directive on renewable energy communities (REC). Practical examples from various islands demonstrated potential solutions for enhancing grid stability through REC.
A panel showcased best practice projects, including the SUSTENANCE project and case studies from islands in Denmark, Greece, India, and the Loyalty Islands Province. These examples illustrated demand management and flexibility systems in action, using tools like ecoEMS and ecoMonitor.
Key Questions Addressed:
- How can storage solutions enhance grid flexibility on islands?
- What are the requirements for optimal operation of renewable energy plants within the grid?
- How can DSM and sector coupling be integrated to improve grid services?
- What are the tariff strategies to support grid flexibility and incentivise demand management?
Main Takeaways:
- Potential of Thermal Storage Technologies: Thermal storage holds significant potential for energy storage and demand-side management on non-interconnected islands. It can store excess renewable energy and contribute to energy efficiency by shifting usage to off-peak times.
- Tailored Solutions for each Island: Each island requires unique solutions for storage technologies and energy community organisation. The optimal choice of storage and the structure of energy communities must consider the island’s specific geographical, economic, and social characteristics.
- Testing DSM Strategies on Islands: Islands can serve as regulatory sandboxes for developing DSM strategies. Using price signals and time-of-use tariffs, islands can activate end-user participation in DSM, balancing supply and demand to support high levels of renewable energy integration. This approach can enhance energy resilience and provide scalable models for larger systems.