Ayesa, a global provider of technology and engineering services, is leading European Islander Project which aims to convert the islands of the green, digital, sustainable and smart future. With a budget of eight million euros, it will end next year with the participation of seven European countries represented by eleven organisations.
16 million people live on the islands of the EU, or around 4% of the population. But it is also one of the favorite tourist destinations. The problem is that most depend on fossil fuels for electricity production, transportation and heating.
This is why the EU funds innovation projects like Islander, whose main objective is advance decarbonisation of the islands by increasing the penetration of renewable energy and intelligent energy management. To achieve this goal, Ayesa will implement a technological platform for the management of smart grids, which combine the production of renewable energy with storage technologies.
A pilot test has already started on the German island of Borkum, which aims to eliminate carbon emissions by 2030, although the system will initially be replicated on four other islands with other geographical, climatic, etc. characteristics. Furthermore, an innovative seawater heating system is being tested that will provide heat in winter and cooling in summer to a new building of one hundred residential units.
New Demand Response services are also offered, powering self-producers through the installation of hydrogen storage systems and photovoltaic infrastructure and lithium batteries for 30 homes and 3 buildings.
All are connected to the Ayesa IT platform
Likewise, electric mobility is a fundamental element to achieve the decarbonisation of the island. Bidirectional charging stations for electric vehicles (with charge/discharge capability) were then installed. These points are integrated with the rest of the infrastructure. In this way, vehicles become mobile energy stores that can be combined with the rest of the assets to offer different energy services to both the grid and users.
Added value
Islander is the continuation of a previous Horizon 2020 project, called Netfficient, which marked a before and after in intelligent distributed energy resource management platforms, developed by Ayesa and called Gridpilot.
It aggregates energy from different producers and automatically and intelligently decides when to store, consume or sell electricity. It also does so in a controlled and safe way – a necessary condition for operating on the market - thanks to artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT).
In this sense, the artificial intelligence technologies They play a major role in developing sizing tools for renewable and energy storage infrastructure, as well as automatically operating all these resources together. Ayesa combines machine learning algorithms for forecasting energy generation, prices and consumption, with mathematical modeling and new optimization algorithms, such as stochastic ones, with distributed technologies.
Likewise, acquiring, storing and using data with good quality and rapid response is extremely important. Gridpilot technology maximizes the scalability and integration of artificial intelligence technologies. Work is also being done on the effective representation of big data to increase the knowledge of end users.
The project makes use of various renewable generation technologies (photovoltaic, wind, marine thermal, etc.) and storage (lithium ion batteries, hydrogen, etc.) together with a software platform (Gridpilot®) which has the task of govern, orchestrate and monitor all generation and storage devices.
In addition, V2G (Vehicle to Grid) chargers and mobile applications are also used, with which islanders can proactively manage their demand, such as booking charging stations for electric vehicles, which, in addition, allow them to monitor the own load.
Source: Ayesa
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Renewable Energy Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, and thank you for joining us today. We’re excited to delve into the innovative European Islander Project led by Ayesa. To start, could you give us an overview of the project’s primary objectives?
Expert (E): Thank you for having me! The European Islander Project is indeed a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming the islands of Europe into beacons of sustainability and smart technology. Its main objective is to advance the decarbonization of islands by boosting the use of renewable energy and implementing intelligent energy management systems. With a budget of eight million euros and participation from eleven organizations across seven countries, we are hopeful this project will lead to significant advancements in clean energy.
TNE: That’s impressive! You mentioned decarbonization as a key goal. Can you elaborate on the specific strategies being implemented to achieve that?
E: Absolutely. One of the project’s focal points is the development of a technological platform for smart grid management. This platform enables the integration of renewable energy production with storage technologies, allowing for a more efficient and reliable energy supply. We’ve already initiated a pilot test on the German island of Borkum, where the aim is to eliminate carbon emissions by 2030. In parallel, we’re testing an innovative seawater heating system to provide thermal comfort for residential units, which is crucial in managing energy consumption throughout the year.
TNE: It’s fascinating to see such a comprehensive approach. But what about the residents and their energy needs? How does the project cater to individual households and their energy consumption?
E: Great question! A significant component of the project is the introduction of Demand Response services. This enables households to become self-producers of energy through the integration of hydrogen storage systems and photovoltaic infrastructure. We’re also installing lithium batteries in several homes and buildings, meaning that households can optimize their energy use and even contribute excess power back to the grid. It’s all about creating a resilient and empowered community.
TNE: Speaking of community, the mobility aspect is intriguing as well. How does electric mobility fit into the European Islander Project?
E: Electric mobility is central to our vision of decarbonization. We’ve installed bidirectional charging stations for electric vehicles, which not only charge the vehicles but also allow them to discharge energy back into the grid. This turns vehicles into mobile energy stores that can work in tandem with other energy resources, providing additional services to both users and the grid. It’s a truly innovative integration of transportation and energy management.
TNE: Wonderful insights! Can you tell us about the technological foundation of the project? How does it ensure safety and efficacy in energy management?
E: Sure! The project builds on past initiatives like the Horizon 2020 project, Netfficient, which introduced advanced distributed energy resource management systems. Our platform, known as Gridpilot, utilizes artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things to aggregate energy from various sources. It intelligently determines the optimal times to store, consume, or sell electricity, ensuring activities are conducted safely and in compliance with market regulations.
TNE: This sounds like a game-changer for energy management on islands. What broader implications do you see this project having on tourism and the local economy?
E: This project is expected to inspire a sustainable tourism model that can serve as a blueprint for other regions. By moving away from fossil fuels, these islands can not only reduce their carbon footprint but also attract eco-conscious tourists. Additionally, fostering a robust renewable energy infrastructure can lead to job creation and economic growth in the region, benefiting both locals and visitors alike.
TNE: It certainly sounds promising! Before we wrap up, what’s the timeline for the project, and what are the next steps?
E: The European Islander Project is set to conclude next year. Currently, we are assessing pilot results from Borkum and the other islands involved. Once we gather sufficient data, we’ll refine our strategies and potentially roll out these systems in other European islands. The aim is to share our learnings widely so that more regions can embark on similar journeys toward sustainable energy.
TNE: Thank you for sharing such insightful information about the European Islander Project. It’s encouraging to see how technology can pave the way for a greener future for island communities. We look forward to seeing the project’s progress!
E: Thank you! It’s an exciting time for renewable energy, and I appreciate the chance to discuss this vital project.