Video
Video file
João Peças Lopes explores how the Azores archipelago is addressing the challenges of decarbonising island energy systems. Traditionally dependent on fossil fuels, the islands are transitioning towards a highly electrified system based on renewable energy sources such as wind, solar PV, geothermal, and hydropower. While this shift significantly reduces emissions, it also introduces new technical challenges due to the variable nature of most renewable resources.
Peças Lopes explains why energy storage systems are essential for ensuring continuity of supply and reducing reliance on thermal generation. It also highlights a key emerging challenge: maintaining grid stability in low‑inertia island systems dominated by power‑electronics‑based renewable generation. To address this, innovative grid‑forming power converters are being developed, capable of providing synthetic inertia and emulating the behaviour of conventional synchronous machines.
Drawing on ongoing research in the Azores, the video shows how these grid‑forming technologies make it possible to operate islanded systems with very high shares of renewables—while preserving robustness, resilience, and operational stability—paving the way for climate‑neutral and energy‑self‑sufficient islands.