To support long-term energy planning in insular areas, an analysis was conducted for the Island of Korčula, considering local renewable energy (RES) potential, demographic trends, and environmental protection. Three energy scenarios were evaluated: LowRES (business-as-usual approach), RES (moderate renewable integration), and HighRES (full renewable transition). The results indicate that Korčula has significant potential for solar energy generation and that vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology can play a vital role in balancing the system. The HighRES scenario demonstrates that a fully renewable energy system is feasible with strong municipal support and strategic investments.

To achieve this, municipalities on the island could facilitate the formation of an Energy Community, prioritizing solar Photovoltaic (PV) installations on public and private buildings. Public buildings should lead by adopting heat pumps for heating and cooling, coupled with the installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations. Encouraging residential PV adoption and implementing public awareness campaigns on smart charging and V2G solutions will further support a sustainable energy transition.

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b)

Figure 1 Monthly representation of technologies contributing to the power supply in a) RES (with Solar being the RES in question) and b) HighRES scenario, with import representing the necessary additional energy that would be imported from the national grid (case study area is grid-connected)

Socio-Economic Feasibility Analysis

Investment in power generation and storage technologies was assessed. The HighRES scenario is 50% more expensive as the RES scenario, enabling a faster decarbonization timeline, with higher emphasis on the decarbonization of transport. Therefore, the cost of HighRES implementation is offset by long-term sustainability and energy independence. Local job creation is significant, with employment opportunities mainly in RES installations, maintenance, and grid flexibility solutions, amounting to over 200 in shorter periods, and 28 for the long period. Additionally, it was determined that public-private partnerships can accelerate the adoption of RES technologies as well as that V2G technologies enhance grid stability, reducing the need for additional storage investments.

Macro objective:

• Demonstrate the feasible integrated energy system for an insular community, based 100 % on locally available renewable energy sources

Specific objectives:

• Use locally available renewable energy
• Decarbonize sectors of energy demand
• Provide socio-economically sound options for the development of an island community

Impacts that could be achieved by 2030:

• CO2 emissions reduced by 17.05 kt per year
• New RES installations: 42 MW Solar PV, 10 MW wind power plant
• Local employment benefits: 28 sustainable jobs in RES installation and maintenance on the local level

Read more here.

 

Learn More about the PRISMI Methodology.

Contact

Antun Pfeifer

Technical transferring partner in the PRISMI PLUS project