Sustainable Off-Grid Energy Solutions for Nisyros Island: Evaluating Renewable Electricity Scenarios

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Off-Grid Methodology for Sustainable Electricity in Medium-Sized Settlements: The Case of Nisyros Island

Abstract: Renewable energy sources (RESs) are increasingly recognized as a vital strategy for mitigating climate change and achieving energy independence. This study investigates the potential for electricity autonomy on Nisyros Island, Greece, through the implementation of RESs. Four scenarios are analyzed, including standalone wind and photovoltaic systems, as well as hybrid configurations that combine both technologies. Each scenario is designed to meet the island’s energy demands, considering economic viability and minimal environmental impact. The findings indicate that wind-based scenarios present the most cost-effective solutions, with a configuration involving three wind turbines being the most economical for fully meeting electricity needs. Hybrid models that include additional wind turbines also show financial feasibility. By incorporating real consumption data, this research provides insights into Nisyros’s energy future, illustrating its potential for electricity independence through RESs. This transition could promote environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and offer economic benefits for the island’s residents in the renewable energy sector. Furthermore, this study aligns with the European Union’s climate goals.

Keywords: Nisyros Island; moderate population; off-grid power production; autonomous island; energy policy

1. Introduction

Global warming, primarily driven by greenhouse gas emissions such as CO2 from fossil fuel consumption, poses a significant threat to humanity. If left unaddressed, global temperatures could rise by 3–10 °C by 2100. Transitioning to renewable energy sources (RESs), especially solar and wind energy, is crucial for reducing emissions. These technologies, including photovoltaic systems and wind turbines, generate significantly fewer greenhouse gases compared to traditional electricity generation methods.

The variable nature of RESs necessitates hybrid systems that integrate multiple energy sources with storage solutions, such as batteries, to ensure a continuous electricity supply, particularly in remote areas. These systems can decrease fossil fuel dependence, lower electricity costs, create jobs, and enhance energy security. With ongoing technological advancements, the costs of hybrid systems are expected to decrease, making them more economically viable.

Innovative autonomous electricity production methods via RESs present promising avenues for sustainable energy, especially in off-grid environments. Recent studies have explored hybrid systems that combine renewable technologies for electricity, hydrogen, and freshwater production, demonstrating their viability in meeting diverse energy demands in remote areas.

Case studies in various regions illustrate the effectiveness of hybrid systems. For example, in Denmark, hybrid PV-wind systems with battery storage have enhanced energy management efficiency and reduced operational costs. Similarly, research in Indonesia reveals that hybrid photovoltaic systems are 19% more cost-effective than diesel generators, showcasing their economic advantages.

Despite higher initial investment costs, hybrid systems offer substantial long-term benefits. Research in countries such as Jordan and Oman highlights their ability to improve reliability, reduce emissions, and lower operational costs. Moreover, integrating renewable technologies like PV-diesel and wind-diesel systems into hybrid designs enhances their performance and economic feasibility in remote areas.

In summary, these studies collectively underscore the advantages of hybrid energy systems, which effectively lower operational costs, environmental impact, and carbon emissions. The optimal system selection is influenced by various factors, including local electricity resource potential, available incentives, and specific regional requirements. Hybrid systems present a promising solution for improving electricity accessibility and sustainability in remote and off-grid regions.

2. Methodology

The proposed design aims to establish an optimal system that meets the electricity requirements of the selected region while being spatially feasible, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. The selection of location and identification of the most suitable scenario or system are guided by a systematic methodological approach that eliminates regions and scenarios that do not meet specific criteria.

Achieving electrical self-sufficiency through alternative energy sources becomes increasingly challenging as population density rises. In selecting the research area, meteorological, demographic, and tourism-related data are collected and examined. Access to reliable meteorological data from local weather stations is critical for this selection. Assessing the wind and solar potential of the area is essential to ensure robust parameters for effective utilization of photovoltaic systems and wind turbines.

Moreover, it is vital to verify that the population of the chosen area falls within prescribed demographic limits to facilitate energy autonomy through renewable sources. Special emphasis is placed on demographic and tourist-related data, as regions with significant population fluctuations are unsuitable for selection. Following this, land use criteria for the area are scrutinized to determine the availability of land for installing renewable energy systems.

After gathering the requisite data, including the number and types of buildings and their electricity consumption, the research advances to developing alternative scenarios for electrical coverage using renewable energy generation methods. The comparison of these scenarios encompasses energy efficiency, installation costs, operational expenses, and maintenance costs, ultimately identifying the most suitable electricity production system based on accumulated energy data.

3. Proposals—Scenarios for Electricity Coverage by RESs

This study evaluates four scenarios to assess the electricity coverage and self-sufficiency of Nisyros Island. These scenarios stem from two initial setups: one relying solely on wind turbines and the other on photovoltaic systems. After evaluating their practicality and economic viability, two additional hybrid scenarios are formulated, each combining distinct renewable energy sources.

The first scenario involves complete electrical coverage using wind energy through the installation of wind turbines. The second scenario meets energy demands solely through photovoltaic panels installed on the rooftops of residential and public buildings. The last two scenarios are hybrid configurations that integrate solar and wind energy sources, one with a single wind turbine and photovoltaic panels, and the other with two wind turbines and photovoltaic panels.

Each scenario is economically assessed by comparing overall costs, including procurement costs for necessary equipment, installation, maintenance, and replacements. The goal is to identify the most cost-effective option that achieves electrical autonomy for Nisyros with minimal disruption to the island’s natural landscape.

Hourly power balances are analyzed for each scenario to ensure energy production aligns with consumption patterns throughout the year, including peak tourist seasons. In wind turbine scenarios, the number of turbines is determined based on energy output calculations, ensuring an optimal balance between cost and required energy supply. For photovoltaic scenarios, rooftop space limitations are considered, with centralized PV farms explored as an alternative.

4. Electricity and Economic Comparison of the Four Scenarios

A comprehensive comparison of the four scenarios is essential to determine the most cost-effective option. Economically, the cost of electricity production is compared with conventional methods, focusing on the total consumption of Nisyros.

The first scenario, utilizing three 900 kW wind turbines, generates 14,664,240 kWh/year, significantly exceeding Nisyros’s estimated needs. The second scenario employs 11,545 photovoltaic panels to achieve a similar output. The hybrid scenarios combine both technologies, leveraging their strengths to ensure consistent electricity supply.

In conclusion, the scenario utilizing two wind turbines and photovoltaic panels generates the most electricity, closely followed by the hybrid scenario with one wind turbine. The remaining scenarios relying solely on photovoltaic panels and wind turbines also demonstrate substantial output.

5. Discussion and Results

The proposed scenarios for Nisyros’s electricity coverage demonstrate the island’s potential for sustainable energy solutions. The findings emphasize the economic advantages of adopting wind-based systems, showcasing the viability of hybrid configurations that combine wind and solar resources.

This research contributes to the broader context of energy autonomy for island communities with limited access to mainland grids. By transitioning to hybrid systems, islands can reduce fossil fuel dependency and minimize their carbon footprint while creating resilient energy infrastructures.

In conclusion, this study illustrates that achieving energy independence for Nisyros Island is both feasible and economically viable through the implementation of RESs.

6. Conclusions

This study evaluated the feasibility of achieving electricity autonomy on Nisyros Island, Greece, through renewable energy sources. The findings highlight the economic advantages of wind-based scenarios and the resilience of hybrid configurations. The analysis serves as a model for other islands facing similar energy challenges, supporting the transition to sustainable energy independence in alignment with EU climate goals.
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