Sustainable Power Generation Expansion in Island Systems with Extensive RES and Energy Storage

Insular networks constitute ideal fields for investment in renewables and storage due to their excellent wind and solar potential, as well the high generation cost of thermal generators in such networks. Nevertheless, in order to ensure the stability of insular networks, network operators impose str...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Emmanuel Karapidakis, Christos Kalogerakis, Evangelos Pompodakis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:Inventions
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5134/8/5/127
_version_ 1827720842113449984
author Emmanuel Karapidakis
Christos Kalogerakis
Evangelos Pompodakis
author_facet Emmanuel Karapidakis
Christos Kalogerakis
Evangelos Pompodakis
author_sort Emmanuel Karapidakis
collection DOAJ
description Insular networks constitute ideal fields for investment in renewables and storage due to their excellent wind and solar potential, as well the high generation cost of thermal generators in such networks. Nevertheless, in order to ensure the stability of insular networks, network operators impose strict restrictions on the expansion of renewables. Storage systems render ideal solutions for overcoming the aforementioned restrictions, unlocking additional renewable capacity. Among storage technologies, hybrid battery-hydrogen demonstrates beneficial characteristics thanks to the complementary features that battery and hydrogen exhibit regarding efficiency, self-discharge, cost, etc. This paper investigates the economic feasibility of a private investment in renewables and hybrid hydrogen-battery storage, realized on the interconnected island of Crete, Greece. Specifically, an optimization formulation is proposed to optimize the capacity of renewables and hybrid battery-hydrogen storage in order to maximize the profit of investment, while simultaneously reaching a minimum renewable penetration of 80%, in accordance with Greek decarbonization goals. The numerical results presented in this study demonstrate that hybrid hydrogen-battery storage can significantly reduce electricity production costs in Crete, potentially reaching as low as 64 EUR/MWh. From an investor’s perspective, even with moderate compensation tariffs, the energy transition remains profitable due to Crete’s abundant wind and solar resources. For instance, with a 40% subsidy and an 80 EUR/MWh compensation tariff, the net present value can reach EUR 400 million. Furthermore, the projected cost reductions for electrolyzers and fuel cells by 2030 are expected to enhance the profitability of hybrid renewable-battery-hydrogen projects. In summary, this research underscores the sustainable and economically favorable prospects of hybrid hydrogen-battery storage systems in facilitating Crete’s energy transition, with promising implications for investors and the wider renewable energy sector.
first_indexed 2024-03-10T21:11:03Z
format Article
id doaj.art-a948828a5c344ffd9c3661dcf95cb552
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2411-5134
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-10T21:11:03Z
publishDate 2023-10-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Inventions
spelling doaj.art-a948828a5c344ffd9c3661dcf95cb5522023-11-19T16:50:27ZengMDPI AGInventions2411-51342023-10-018512710.3390/inventions8050127Sustainable Power Generation Expansion in Island Systems with Extensive RES and Energy StorageEmmanuel Karapidakis0Christos Kalogerakis1Evangelos Pompodakis2Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Hellenic Mediterranean University, GR-71410 Heraklion, GreeceElectrical and Computer Engineering Department, Hellenic Mediterranean University, GR-71410 Heraklion, GreeceInstitute of Energy Environment and Climate Change, GR-71410 Heraklion, GreeceInsular networks constitute ideal fields for investment in renewables and storage due to their excellent wind and solar potential, as well the high generation cost of thermal generators in such networks. Nevertheless, in order to ensure the stability of insular networks, network operators impose strict restrictions on the expansion of renewables. Storage systems render ideal solutions for overcoming the aforementioned restrictions, unlocking additional renewable capacity. Among storage technologies, hybrid battery-hydrogen demonstrates beneficial characteristics thanks to the complementary features that battery and hydrogen exhibit regarding efficiency, self-discharge, cost, etc. This paper investigates the economic feasibility of a private investment in renewables and hybrid hydrogen-battery storage, realized on the interconnected island of Crete, Greece. Specifically, an optimization formulation is proposed to optimize the capacity of renewables and hybrid battery-hydrogen storage in order to maximize the profit of investment, while simultaneously reaching a minimum renewable penetration of 80%, in accordance with Greek decarbonization goals. The numerical results presented in this study demonstrate that hybrid hydrogen-battery storage can significantly reduce electricity production costs in Crete, potentially reaching as low as 64 EUR/MWh. From an investor’s perspective, even with moderate compensation tariffs, the energy transition remains profitable due to Crete’s abundant wind and solar resources. For instance, with a 40% subsidy and an 80 EUR/MWh compensation tariff, the net present value can reach EUR 400 million. Furthermore, the projected cost reductions for electrolyzers and fuel cells by 2030 are expected to enhance the profitability of hybrid renewable-battery-hydrogen projects. In summary, this research underscores the sustainable and economically favorable prospects of hybrid hydrogen-battery storage systems in facilitating Crete’s energy transition, with promising implications for investors and the wider renewable energy sector.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5134/8/5/127interconnected islandsenergy transitionrenewableshybrid storagehydrogenbatteries
spellingShingle Emmanuel Karapidakis
Christos Kalogerakis
Evangelos Pompodakis
Sustainable Power Generation Expansion in Island Systems with Extensive RES and Energy Storage
Inventions
interconnected islands
energy transition
renewables
hybrid storage
hydrogen
batteries
title Sustainable Power Generation Expansion in Island Systems with Extensive RES and Energy Storage
title_full Sustainable Power Generation Expansion in Island Systems with Extensive RES and Energy Storage
title_fullStr Sustainable Power Generation Expansion in Island Systems with Extensive RES and Energy Storage
title_full_unstemmed Sustainable Power Generation Expansion in Island Systems with Extensive RES and Energy Storage
title_short Sustainable Power Generation Expansion in Island Systems with Extensive RES and Energy Storage
title_sort sustainable power generation expansion in island systems with extensive res and energy storage
topic interconnected islands
energy transition
renewables
hybrid storage
hydrogen
batteries
url https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5134/8/5/127
work_keys_str_mv AT emmanuelkarapidakis sustainablepowergenerationexpansioninislandsystemswithextensiveresandenergystorage
AT christoskalogerakis sustainablepowergenerationexpansioninislandsystemswithextensiveresandenergystorage
AT evangelospompodakis sustainablepowergenerationexpansioninislandsystemswithextensiveresandenergystorage