Possibility of Zeroing CO₂ Emissions Due to Energy Use in Gavdos Island, Greece

Abstract

The possibility of transforming Gavdos Island located south of Crete, Greece to a 100% renewable energies island has been investigated. Gavdos Island has few inhabitants but it hosts a large number of tourists during the summer. Due to the small size of the island the use of vehicles is limited. It has abundant local energy resources, mainly solar and wind energy, which are currently underutilized. Electricity is locally generated with diesel oil and its electric grid is not interconnected with the grid of Crete. Energy demand in the island has been estimated as well as the availability of various renewable energy resources. The most reliable and cost effective of them, including solar thermal, solar and wind power, solid biomass burning and high efficiency heat pumps have been indicated for achieving a 100% renewable island. Electric vehicles must also replace conventional vehicles in order to zero carbon emissions in transport. Since the power grid in the island is isolated, electricity storage is required and it could be obtained either with electric batteries or with a small hydro-pump storage system. The nominal power of the required solar-PV system for covering all the electricity needs in Gavdos island has been estimated at 848 KWp and the required electricity storage capacity was at 19.2 MWh.