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Reducing the carbon emissions from hotels on non-interconnected islands (NII) is essential in the context of a low carbon future for the Mediterranean region. Maritime tourism is the major source of income for Greece and many other countries in the region, as well as hot-temperate and tropical regions worldwide. Like many NIIs, Rhodes attracts a high influx of tourists every summer, doubling the island's energy demand and, given the high proportion of fossil fuels in the Rhodian energy supply, increasing carbon emissions. Using the theoretical framework 'FINE', this paper presents the optimisation of a medium-sized hotel's energy system with the aim of reducing both cost and carbon emissions. By introducing a Photovoltaic (PV) net metering system, it was found that the carbon emissions associated with an NII hotel's energy system could be reduced by 31% at an optimised cost. It is suggested that large-scale deployment of PV or alternative renewable energy sources (RES) in NII hotels could significantly reduce carbon emissions associated with the accommodation sector in Greece and help mitigate climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PHPS is a mature energy storage technology, leading to more efficient energy management and further integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). This paper investigates the implementation of such a system at Kastraki, Greece, combined with a second upstream reservoir with a total capacity of 10 hm3 and evaluates its efficiency. The position and the geometric characteristics of the second reservoir are determined with ArcGIS. When excess of energy exists, water is pumped from Kastraki reservoir and stored in the upper one. Otherwise, the stored water is used for energy production. The simulation is performed for 40 years with a monthly time step. Furthermore, another simulation for a typical day in July is conducted, when water and energy needs are increased. The system is evaluated in terms of covering the water supply and energy needs, as well as in terms of efficient energy management. Several results can be obtained, as follows: i) the reliability of the PHPS system for the coverage of monthly water supply and irrigation needs is 82.84 %. ii) The coverage of water supply needs for a typical day in July is 99.99 %. iii) The average monthly coverage of energy needs amounts to 83.86 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a thorough planning investigation carried out by the Transmission System Operator (TSO) and the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) in Greece in order to study the interconnections of the Aegean Islands with the mainland power system. The feasibility of interconnecting islands is based on the need for a reliable power supply to isolated and autonomous islands, reducing the operating costs of the power generation system through the withdrawal of high-cost oil-fired generating units, and the further ability to increase renewable energy source (RES) penetration in the country's energy mix, according to directions imposed by the National Energy and Climate Plan. Among the alternative topologies and interconnection technologies considered, the final selection of the interconnection scheme selected for inclusion in the development plans of TSO and DNO was based on their detailed comparative evaluation, considering financial and other technical criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disadvantages of fossil fuels and their impact on the environment have made the transition to renewable energy sources essential to cover our energy needs. However, different energy resources have a different impact on energy poverty conditions in the world, an issue that is important to examine and properly address. This study examines the impact that fossil fuels final energy consumption in households per capita and renewables and biofuels final energy consumption in households per capita have on energy poverty conditions in Europe, using panel data from 28 European countries for the time period 2004–2019 and static and dynamic regression models, while also performing various econometric tests. The findings indicate that GDP per capita and fossil fuels are linked to an inverse relationship to energy poverty conditions. Renewables and biofuels are also linked to an inverse relationship to the inability to keep homes adequately warm and the presence of leaks, damp, or rot in the dwelling, but they could be considered a driver of arrears on utility bills. In addition, a comparative analysis between Sweden, Germany, and Greece and their conditions on energy poverty and energy transition was conducted, highlighting the differences existing between the three European countries. The findings of the research can be useful for governments and policy makers to develop strategies that promote energy transition while protecting energy consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the present paper a Linear Programming (LP) methodology for the city of Athens, Attica region is implemented trying to identify the energy supply levels based on the energy use, aiming to determine the optimal way for the energy needs to be covered. The final aim was to find the best solution/s to meet the (metropolitan) city''s energy needs using Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and additionally implement a techno-economic analysis through a developed tool, in order to find which RES should participate in the city''s energy system examining different scenarios focusing not only on the projects'' economical success but also on minimizing the cost for the society. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Most medium and small islands of the Aegean Archipelagos face serious infrastructure problems, strongly related with the limited electrical energy available at extremely high cost. On the other hand, the area is characterized by very high wind speeds and abundant solar energy, thus the exploitation of the available renewable energy sources (RES) may significantly contribute to the fulfillment of the local societies energy demand at minimum environmental and macroeconomic cost. However, the stochastic availability of wind energy and the variable availability of solar energy, the daily and seasonal electricity demand fluctuations, as well as the limited local electrical network capacity result in serious restrictions concerning the maximum renewable power penetration. In this context, the present paper investigates the possibility of creating a combined electricity generation facility based on the exploitation of wind or/and solar potential of an area as well as on the utilization of an appropriate energy storage configuration in order to replace the existing thermal power stations with rational investment requirements. For this purpose, the major parameters of the proposed integrated configuration are firstly calculated and its financial viability is accordingly analyzed. One of the main targets of the proposed solution is to maximize the RES exploitation of the area at a minimum electricity generation cost, while special emphasis is given in order to select the most cost-efficient energy storage device available. According to the results obtained the proposed solution is not only financially attractive but also improves the quality of the electricity offered to the local communities, substituting the expensive and heavily polluting existing thermal power stations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In autonomous islands, the wind penetration is restricted due to technical reasons related with the safe operation of the electrical systems. The combined use of wind power with pumped storage (WPS) systems is considered as a means to exploit the abundant wind potential, increase the wind installed capacity and substitute conventional peak supply. An approach for the simulation of the autonomous electrical systems is proposed and applied in three islands. The simulation is based on the non-dynamic analysis of the electrical system, in order to calculate the energy contribution of the different power units. The aim is to analyse the prospects of WPS systems to decrease the electrical system's cost. The results show that the integration of WPS in autonomous islands may decrease the system's electricity production cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]