Potential solutions to increase the sustainability of the energy sector in small islands. A case study in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Small islands face significant challenges in achieving sustainable energy systems due to isolated grids and a reliance on imported fossil fuels. The study investigates the integration of renewable energy sources on small islands, using Favignana in the Mediterranean Sea as a case study. This research evaluates various scenarios for increasing renewables penetration, focusing on solar and marine energies. Two main scenarios are analyzed and compared with the current situation: integration of renewables production up to the limit ensuring the security of the power system and implementation of renewables and energy storage systems. The results show that while the installation of renewables offers several benefits in terms of economic, energy and environmental aspects, the setting of an upper limit leads to underutilization of renewables availability. Conversely, energy storage systems significantly enhance renewables integration but involve high initial investments and varied environmental impacts depending on the technology. Policymakers are urged to consider both economic and environmental factors to develop effective strategies for small islands, ultimately reducing dependence on fossil fuels and enhancing energy self-sufficiency.