Renewable Energy in Islands. An Integrated Proposal for Electricity Generation and Transports

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyse and evaluate the economical, energetic and environmental impacts of the increasing penetration of renewable energies an d electrical vehicles in isolated systems, such as Terceira Island in Azores and Madeira Island . Given the fact that the islands are extremely depen dent on the importation of fossil fuels - not only for the prod uction of energy, but also for the transportation's sector - it's int ended to analyse how it is possible to reduce that dependency and de termine the resultant reduction of pollutant gas emissions. Different settings have been analysed - with and wi thout the penetration of EVs. The Terceira Island is an interesting case study, where EVs charging during off-peak hours could allow an increase in geothermal power, limited by the valley of power demand. The percentage of renewable energy in the electric power mix could reach the 74% in 2030 while at the same time, it is possible to reduce the emissions of pollutant ga ses in 45% and the purchase of fossil fuels in 44%. In Madeira , apart from wind, solar and small hydro power, there are not so many endogenous resources and the Island's emission factor cannot be so reduced as in Terceira . Although, it is possible to reduce fossil fuels imports and emissions in 1.8% in 2030 when compared with a BAU scenario with a 14% of the LD fleet composed by EVs.