Islands

In this chapter, the author explores favorable features of the “hub” concept for islands, including the ability to exploit the meaning of “circular energy resource hubs” approach, where the term “hub” as indicated in literature means the use of multiple energy carriers as interfaces between energy producers, consumers, and transport infrastructure. The author expands the idea to “circular energy resource hubs” by integrating circular economy principles in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the maximum value from them while in use, then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of each service life. It demonstrates some interesting advantages in terms of applicability of the concept offered by new theoretical approach. Furthermore, circular energy resource hubs could serve as interfaces between infrastructures and network participants (producers, consumers) or between different infrastructures, representing a generalization or extension of a network node.

Business Models and Policies to Support Renewable Energy Community in Islands

This chapter starts with an introductory part, explaining the role of business models and analyzing the different financial models of ownership. It has been concluded that in renewable energy projects, ownership business models center in specialized complexity, economies of scale, capital costs, and financing perspectives based on its own characteristics. It has many favorable features including the ability to provide power to local communities and create jobs. However, business models include several decisive financing, service, and monitoring characteristics. Business models should be dynamic, while being adjusted to the special conditions, features, and risks of the given project. In renewable energy projects, ownership business models center on the specialized complexity, economies of scale, capital costs, and financing perspectives. The public-private partnership (PPP) is usually the optimum business model option for medium- to large-scale or grid-connected renewable energy projects, and is usually applied with a structure of a built-own-operate-transfer or multiparty ownership.

Interconnections and Islands

The goal of this chapter is to present the current state and technologies with regards to interconnections of islands to the mainland or between islands. The majority of islands interconnections have been recorded in Asia, although the longest projects are found in Europe. In Asia, the islands are usually located close to the shore 10-55 km or in island complexes such as Indonesia and Philippines where the enhancement of the national grids through interconnections with then neighboring islands is relatively easy achieved through short HVAC links. In Europe, longer projects are observed exceeding the 400 km mainly in the Mediterranean basin, while the new HVDC interconnections are expected to reach even longer lengths. In North America, only a few island interconnections have been implemented in close distances from the shore. The main driver to interconnect islands has been principally the requirement to access cheap energy sources usually located in the mainland.

Islands Diagnosis

In this chapter, the author provides an overview of the great challenges that islands are facing. It consists of an introductory part, raising environmental, economic, social, climate change, biodiversity, issues, etc. revealing the high risks to which island regions are exposed. It then discusses the way renewable energy exploitation can be a promising option for reaching sustainability objectives in general and coping with the above challenges in particular. This chapter exploits the information on peculiar challenges faced by islands nations with respect to sustainability, the proposed plans, challenges, and the issues raised by these challenges, the reaction in terms of projects and policy initiatives to cope with these challenges, and identification of sectors for paving a sustainable future of island nations. Despite the fact that numerous islands have presented and introduced target plans to advance renewable energy deployment, the policy design and execution is frequently lagging. Furthermore, there are still significant remaining things to be done.

Indicators, Modelling, and Visualization of Islands

In this chapter, the author presents a discussion on the range and usefulness of energy models in an island context, pros and cons of the various methodologies, and selection criteria that could guide a proper model choice for further implementation. The analysis has been done considering a clustering approach. Following this, the author presents a “toy” model called ISLA (sustainable islands), which has been developed for students to evaluate energy systems in islands. The model has been tested on numerous islands so far. For demonstration purpose, Crete island has been considered as a case study to capture the model flexibility and adaptability features. The rationale of using the model is discussed, together with the data needed, the validity and usefulness of outcomes produced, and the way such tools can guide policy making. Comparing the toy model with a sophisticated approach demonstrates some interesting advantages offered by this methodology and visualization.

A Global Perspective on Experiences and Practices for Low Carbon Technologies and Renewable Energy in Islands

Attention on islands energy systems is gradually increasing worldwide, enhancing sustainable resources on islands through a number of strategies and plans which aim to support and raise local awareness towards climate change. These plans, either in the form of official legal frameworks or through initiatives, aim at promoting energy efficiency, renewable energy, and effective resource management. Outcomes of those initiatives includes actions, programs, and projects where a number of islands demonstrate as test-beds for innovation and best practices. While autonomous states have larger control on implementing sustainable policies, they usually experience low economic prosperity. Islands that are part of a wider nation need to ensure adequate representation in government decision making. Due to the complexity of islands characteristics, best practices were discussed and analyzed for very small and small islands (micro), medium islands nations (meso), and large islands nations (macro).