Replacing diesel generators with hybrid renewable power plants: Giglio smart island project

Electricity in small remote islands is generally supplied by diesel generators, leading to high energy cost and significant local pollution; the integration of renewable energy sources in such small networks is hindered by stability and reliability issues, as well as environmental constraints. The paper deals with the replacement of diesel generation in Giglio (a small island in the Tyrrhenian Sea), with an hybrid power plant which includes a photovoltaic power plant and a lithium battery energy storage system. Steady-state simulations have been carried out, in order to assess network reliability; moreover, environmental impact assessment and authorization issues have been also considered. Results show that the commissioning of the hybrid power plant will enhance power quality and continuity of supply if compared to present diesel generators, evidencing the significant advantages of the proposed solution in terms of energy cost and pollution.