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Novel Approaches to the Integration of Renewable Energy Sources on Islands

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 May 2023) | Viewed by 18237

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. George Caralis

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Guest Editor

School of Mechanical Engineering, Fluids Section, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
Interests: wind energy; hydro pumped storage; non-interconnected islands; wind curtailment; hydro energy
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Dr. Petros Chasapogiannis

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Guest Editor

School of Mechanical Engineering, Fluids Section, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
Interests: wind engineering; wind turbines; aerodynamics; fluid mechanics

Prof. Dr. Vasilis Riziotis

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Guest Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to present best practices on the integration of renewable energy sources on islands. Many islands are already leaders in terms of RES integration and energy transition from the fossil-based energy sector to zero carbon. Many innovative projects are hosted in islands to demonstrate new approaches, technologies, and innovative solutions in order to deal with the challenges of the energy transition. Most of the islands experience high energy costs, high energy dependence, strong seasonal variations of the demand, and high availability of abundant RES potential (mainly wind and solar). Additionally, the lack of interconnection with the mainland in most cases makes energy transition more complex. In a few words, if energy transition can happen on islands, it is possible anywhere, and islands can be a privileged area to demonstrate solutions in this direction. As a result, the focus of this Special Issue is on best practices, projects, and studies applied in islands (technical issues, interconnections, Green islands, innovative projects, hybrid solutions, storage options, hydro pumped storage, batteries, demand side management, combination of electricity with heat and transport, electrical cars, desalination, land planning issues, social issues, policy, etc.).

Dr. George Caralis
Dr. Petros Chasapogiannis
Prof. Dr. Vasilis Riziotis
Guest Editors

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Keywords

islands
RES integration
energy transition
wind energy
solar energy
storage
hydro pumped storage
interconnections
smart islands
hydrogen

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 3881 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energetical and Exergetical Analyses of a Concentrating PV/T Collector: A Numerical Approach

by Theodoros Papingiotis, Dimitrios N. Korres, Irene Koronaki and Christos Tzivanidis

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(19), 10669; https://doi.org/10.3390/app131910669 - 25 Sep 2023

Viewed by 980

Abstract

The specific work presents an optical and thermal investigation of a hybrid thermo-photovoltaic solar collector with an asymmetrical compound parabolic mirror. Such collectors offer an innovative and sustainable approach to address both the thermal and electrical demands of residents on islands using renewable sources of energy and thus reducing the dependency on fossil fuels. The main goal of this investigation involves an analysis of the prementioned type of solar collector, incorporating an innovative and cost-effective numerical modelling technique aiming to enhance comprehension of its energy and exergy performance. The optical performance of the collector was calculated first with ray tracing for the month of June, and the ideal slope was determined for the same month. After the optical analysis, the energy and exergy performance were both estimated by implementing a novel numerical method in both COMSOL and SolidWorks. Based on the optical analysis, it was determined that the most favorable inclination angle for achieving optimum optical efficiency on the mean day of June is 10°. The thermal analysis, focusing on thermal efficiency, showed a maximum deviation of 5.3% between the two solutions, which indicates the reliability of the method. The collector achieved a maximum thermal efficiency of 58.55% and a maximum exergy efficiency of 16.94%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches to the Integration of Renewable Energy Sources on Islands)

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22 pages, 2665 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Detailed Parametric Analysis of a Solar-Powered Cogeneration System for Electricity and Hydrogen Production

by Panagiotis Lykas, Nikolaos Georgousis, Angeliki Kitsopoulou, Dimitrios N. Korres, Evangelos Bellos and Christos Tzivanidis

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(1), 433; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13010433 - 29 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2323

Abstract

Hydrogen has received increased attention in the last decades as a green energy carrier and a promising future fuel. The integration of hydrogen, as well as the development of cogeneration plants, makes the energy sector more eco-friendly, and sustainable. The aim of this paper is the investigation of a solar-fed cogeneration system that can produce power and compressed green hydrogen. The examined unit contains a parabolic trough collector solar field, a thermal energy storage tank, an organic Rankine cycle, and a proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer. The installation also includes a hydrogen storage tank and a hydrogen compressor. The unit is analyzed parametrically in terms of thermodynamic performance and economic viability in steady-state conditions with a developed and accurate model. Taking into account the final results, the overall energy efficiency is calculated at 14.03%, the exergy efficiency at 14.94%, and the hydrogen production rate at 0.205 kg/h. Finally, the payback period and the net present value are determined at 9 years and 122 k€, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches to the Integration of Renewable Energy Sources on Islands)

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31 pages, 5597 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Investigation and Optimization of a Solar-Based Unit for Power and Green Hydrogen Production: A Case Study of the Greek Island, Kythnos

by Panagiotis Lykas, Evangelos Bellos, George Caralis and Christos Tzivanidis

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(21), 11134; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122111134 - 2 Nov 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2519

Abstract

The aim of the present work is the analysis of a solar-driven unit that is located on the non-interconnected island of Kythnos, Greece, that can produce electricity and green hydrogen. More specifically, solar energy is exploited by parabolic trough collectors, and the produced heat is stored in a thermal energy storage tank. Additionally, an organic Rankine unit is incorporated to generate electricity, which contributes to covering the island’s demand in a clean and renewable way. When the power cannot be absorbed by the local grid, it can be provided to a water electrolyzer; therefore, the excess electricity is stored in the form of hydrogen. The produced hydrogen amount is compressed, afterward stored in tanks, and then finally can be utilized as a fuel to meet other important needs, such as powering vehicles or ferries. The installation is simulated parametrically and optimized on dynamic conditions, in terms of energy, exergy, and finance. According to the results, considering a base electrical load of 75 kW, the annual energy and exergy efficiencies are found at 14.52% and 15.48%, respectively, while the payback period of the system is determined at 6.73 years and the net present value is equal to EUR 1,073,384. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches to the Integration of Renewable Energy Sources on Islands)

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19 pages, 5095 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modelling and Parametric Analysis of a Brine Treatment Unit Using a High-Temperature Heat Pump and a Vacuum Evaporator

by Apostolos Gkountas, Panteleimon Bakalis, Erika Ntavou, Anastasios Skiadopoulos and Dimitris Manolakos

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(9), 4542; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12094542 - 29 Apr 2022

Viewed by 2399

Abstract

The brine produced from desalination systems is a highly concentrated mixture, including cleansing chemicals from the water treatment processes that can possibly degrade ecosystems in discharge areas. Evaporation is a widely used method for the treatment of high salinity mixtures; however, it requires careful monitoring of the temperature and pressure in order to protect the equipment from the highly corrosive environment of the brine discharge. The proposed brine treatment system is based on the principle of vacuum evaporation with the use of a high-temperature heat pump, which is classified as “green technology”. In this study, a thermodynamic analysis of a vacuum evaporation system with a nominal freshwater production capacity of 160 L/h has been carried out, employing a numerical tool to model the flash evaporator and the heat pump. The analysis focuses on the parameters that present the most significant impact on the system’s efficiency and water production, such as the recirculation ratio, the set-point temperature of the heat pump and the pressure difference provided by the vacuum pump. The results show that, for the constant vacuum pressure difference, the water production increases with the increase in the set-point temperature and the recirculation ratio, but leads to the reduced COP of the heat pump and to an elevated specific energy consumption. Moreover, it is shown that an increased vacuum pressure difference leads to increased water production, but reduces the COP. Finally, the minimum specific energy consumption of 150 kWh/m³ of produced freshwater can be achieved for a set-point at 75 °C and vacuum of 0.21 bar, leading to a levelized cost of water about 11 €/m³. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches to the Integration of Renewable Energy Sources on Islands)

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20 pages, 35695 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Dimensioning of Reactive Power Compensation in an Autonomous Island System

by Georgios N. Psarros, Georgios I. Tsourakis and Stavros A. Papathanassiou

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(6), 2827; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12062827 - 9 Mar 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2324

Abstract

In this paper, a method for sizing the reactive power compensation in a non-interconnected island power system is presented and applied to determine the necessary inductive reactive power compensation for the autonomous power system of Rhodes Island, Greece. The Rhodes power system is often confronted with an excess of reactive power, as a result—inter alia—of underground high-voltage (HV) cable lines and distributed generation penetration. Reactive power compensation is typically a local issue in power systems, usually aiming at maintaining an acceptable voltage profile on specific transmission segments, e.g., long underground or submarine cables. In autonomous systems, however, where network lengths are relatively short, reactive power compensation is meant to address the overall reactive power equilibrium of the system. The proposed method follows a three-step approach. First, power flow analysis is conducted to determine the size of the maximum compensation that may be necessary, i.e., the compensation size that practically allows unit commitment to be conducted without being constrained by reactive power considerations. Then, a unit commitment and economic dispatch model is executed over the course of a year to determine the optimal compensation size, using the output of the power flow analysis to formulate reactive power balance constraints. Finally, the results of the economic optimization are assessed in terms of dynamic security to verify the feasibility of the optimal solution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches to the Integration of Renewable Energy Sources on Islands)

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32 pages, 10651 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Transition on Sifnos: An Approach to Economic and Social Transition and Development

by Dimtris A. Katsaprakakis, Eirini Dakanali, Apostolos Dimopoulos and Yiannis Gyllis

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(5), 2680; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12052680 - 4 Mar 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2952

Abstract

This article aims to present the potential of energy transition in insular systems for social and economic transition and development, when planned and implemented appropriately, with the active involvement of local communities. To this end, the example of Sifnos Energy Community is examined and presented as a pilot case. It proves that energy transition, apart from its obvious energy conservation and climate necessity, can provide a strong contribution to the development of remote areas and the remedying of crucial issues, especially in insular communities, such as unemployment, low standards of living, isolation and energy supply security. Energy transition on Sifnos has been undertaken by the Sifnos Energy Community (SEC), with the target to achieve 100% energy independency through effective and rational projects. The major project is a centralized hybrid power plant consisting of a wind park and a pumped hydro storage system. It was designed to fully cover the current electricity demand and the anticipated forthcoming load due to the overall transition to e-mobility for the transportation sector on the island. Through the exploitation of the excess electricity production with the production of potable water and hydrogen, energy transition can facilitate the development of new professional activities on the island and reduce the local economy’s dependence on tourism. Additionally, a daily link to the neighboring larger Cyclades islands can be established with a hydrogen powered-passenger vessel, ensuring the secure and cheap overseas transportation connection of Sifnos throughout the whole year. The overall energy transition process is executed with the active involvement of the Sifnos citizens, ensuring wide public acceptance and the minimization of the projects’ impacts on the natural and human environment. At the same time, the anticipated benefits for the insular communities are maximized, highlighting the energy transition process on Sifnos as a new sustainable development pattern. For all this effort and the already achieved results, Sifnos has been declared as one of the six pilot islands of the European Community’s initiative “Clean Energy for EU Islands”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches to the Integration of Renewable Energy Sources on Islands)

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25 pages, 6643 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Battery Energy Storage Participation in Automatic Generation Control of Island Systems, Coordinated with State of Charge Regulation

by Apostolos G. Papakonstantinou and Stavros A. Papathanassiou

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(2), 596; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12020596 - 8 Jan 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3306

Abstract

Efficient storage participation in the secondary frequency regulation of island systems is a prerequisite towards their complete decarbonization. However, energy reserve limitations of storage resources pose challenges to their integration in centralized automatic generation control (AGC). This paper presents a frequency control method, in which battery energy storage systems (BESSs) participate in automatic frequency restoration reserve (aFRR) provision, through their integration in the AGC of an island system. A local state of charge (SOC) controller ensures safe operation of the BESS in case of disturbances, without jeopardizing system security when available energy reserves are diminishing. The aFRR participation factors of regulating units are altered when the storage systems approach their SOC limits, re-allocating their reserves to other load-following units. Restoration of BESS energy reserves is achieved by integrating SOC regulation in the real-time economic dispatch of the system, formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming problem and solved every few minutes to determine the base points of the AGC units. A small autonomous power system, comprising conventional units, renewable energy sources and a BESS, is used as a study case to evaluate the performance of the proposed method, which is compared with alternative approaches to secondary regulation with BESS participation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches to the Integration of Renewable Energy Sources on Islands)

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