Assessing optimal energy mix and stability in the island of Favignana

Abstract

The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is a challenge that can no longer be postponed. However, the massive adoption of unprogrammable energy sources could downgrade the stability of the electrical grid, especially in small islands. For this reason, the paper analyses the issue of the energy transition in Favignana, a small Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea. The study proposes a suitable renewable energy mix after having sized it, minimizing the Levelized Cost of Energy. Consequently, the stability of the grid is assessed, comparing the as-is condition and the proposed energy mix. Results prove that even though the economic and environmental optimum can be reached, the realistic scenario shows some vulnerabilities during the winter period with a very high ROCOF.