Can a small Mediterranean island produce enough energy for itself? Moreover, using sustainable resources?
Think of a small candidate who can become self-sufficient with sustainable resources and energy needs. And moreover, it will be able to export the excess energy produced by this island to the neighboring island. We had the opportunity to go to the Greek island of Tilos and meet the researchers who worked to make this dream come true.
Although it is not possible to see it, a large part of the island will become a green area.
The 500-person Tilos island, which is included in the European research project, aims to meet at least 75% of its energy needs from solar and wind energy, the only sustainable energy sources.
John K. Kaldellis, Mechanical Engineer, University of Piraeus: "The entire system we have built up and that we have been working on can produce up to 1000 kilowatts, or about 1 megawatts of power. It consists of 800 kilowatt wind and 160 kilovaty solar energy. This means that even in August when the tourist season is at its peak, we can meet the island's electricity needs. "
The greatest challenge to the researchers was to establish a robust storage system for the wind and solar-generated energy.
Employees selected Sodium-Nickel qualified generators for the project.
Marco MARCO Todeschini, Electrical Engineer, Fzsonck: "These generators can work in hot and cold weather. They can also be easily switched on and off depending on the versatility of the sustainable energy. The solar panels are a few kilometers away from the wind park. The energy generated from both places will be centered and distributed for distribution in a mixed station. "
Dimitrios Zafirakis, Tilos Project Coordinator, Piraeus: "In this fully designed platform, there will be a hybrid station to collect the generated energy. Here we will be the central coordination station we named SCADA. This station will coordinate the energy distribution very intelligently by providing a balance between supply and demand in energy transfer. Later, with the help of smart meters, electricity will be distributed to houses and different buildings. "
Tens of smart counters have been set up in certain settlements such as this refugee camp. The Syrian family of 45 people have lived here since 2016.
The kitchen will be provided by a sustainable energy platform that will heat up and power the electricity needed for schools very soon.
Chrisstos Pronio, Mechanical Engineer, Eurosol: "This power controller has a very special skill. It protects the system against the possible overloading that can happen after the power interruption, and also the electrical appliances of the houses, the buildings. "
The researchers believe that the island could start exporting energy even to the neighboring island Kos.
Scientists say the system will come into full circulation in 2018.