European Island OPET Newsletter 2

1/2002

ITER

Chania, an important step forward to build the common future of islands

policies, all of which are key aspects for the achievement of a satisfactory sustainable development.

Insularity’s differential factors and the extreme diversity of situations they show have not been sufficiently valued yet. If we limit ourselves to the European case, an overall view would give us a more correct approach, since energy singularities refer to some 300 European islands, inhabited by more than 13 million people.

These numbers surpass those of several EU member States.

In fact, we would go as far as to say that islands have become genuine laboratories of the future of energy sustainability. The weight of energy costs, along with the enormous social and environmental implications of using energy in such vulnerable regions, is clearly tipping the scales. This philosophy is shared by most islands, and was explicitly stated in the final document drawn up at the end of the First European Conference on Sus-

Towards 100% Renewable Energy Sources Supply Strategy In June 2001 some 150 representatives of European islands met in Chania (Crete) in order to consolidate the need for a largescale strategy aiming to promote the maximum use of renewable energy sources on european islands.

The idea to achieve 100% energy supply from renewable energy sources is not an invention, as in Chania it was demonstrated that many small and medium-sized islands can already reach it in a relatively short time. In fact a significant part of the projects presented by more than 50 islands, are based on 100% objectives. Among them the initiatives and strategies of El Hierro, Samsoe, Aero, La Maddalena and Gotland, or bigisland strategies such as the Crete one, stand out.

The Conference was an action of the European Island OPET and was organised by RENES (National Technical University of Athens Renew-

able Energy Sources Unit). This initiative relied on the support of the European Commission, and culminated a long process of coordination between those islands which wagered on a future based on energy self-sufficiency and for clean energy sources.

Due to its territorial, environmental and economic implications, energy is a central factor in the island dilemma. Implementing the wrong energy model could mortgage our economies, future development options and the environment, because energy solutions are closely related to how island resources are managed. This interdependence is extremely prominent in islands, where it also involves transport, water and waste management

Cover of the published CD-Rom containing the Conference proceedings and agreements

tainable Island Development (Minorca, 1997), which clearly states that: “Non-renewable energy sources must be considered as provisional solutions, unsuitable as a long-term solution to the energy problem in islands�.

The mere fact of sharing their experiences, allowed island people to discover their several common points at the moment of establishing their energy policy, and their need to tighten their direct cooperation links to guarantee a higher efficiency of technology innovation and strengthen the defence of their common interests.

Software Tool for Island 100% RES Strategy The Institute of Technology and Renewable Energies (ITER), has elaborated, in the framework of the European Island OPET's initiatives, a software for decision-making for the process of renewable energy sources implementation within the electrical system. This tool turned to be an absolute necessity at the time to establish the different options and scenarios for the development of RES in insular systems.

To establish a general guideline for the integration of RES on any island is a difficult task. Resources vary in a large amount, as well as needs and island characteristics. Obviously, the approach for powering with RES an island with 10,000 inhabitants is completely different than one with half a million. Therefore this tool had to face with the extreme variability of situations shown by island territories.

This tool is being implemented to outline the energy scenario and RE possibilities of almost any island, given climate information and potential resources. The software will make a real hourly energy management for a specific type of renewables (for a combined approach in the near future) as well as storage dimentioning. Therefore, to test the validity of the approach, to cover the widest possible range of applications, it has been decided to study the case of a large island (Tenerife), where more difficulties come together. Undertaking this task for an island with such a complex scenario, both in energy demand and sectoral requirements, would make it easier for a further implementation in other regions.

One of the advantages of the software is the possibility to combine decisions about Electricity Savings and RES Electricity Production.

Renewable Energy Sources: Policies and Applications

International Conference Cyprus OPET- Cyprus in cooperation with OPET-Balkan and EI OPET is organising a Conference that will be held on 25-26 April 2002 in Nicosia (Cyprus).

The Conference is aimed at the definition of energy policies in isolated regions, with a special emphasis on island areas. The meeting is coordinated by the Applied Energy Centre.

The framework of the initiative The European Commission’s White Paper “Energy for the Future: Renewable Energy Sources” sets out a Community Strategy and Action Plan to increase RES market penetration, to improve security of energy supply, to reduce energy dependency, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to meet the Kyoto objectives. In order to foster the implementation process of the Community Strategy and Action Plan, the European Commission has launched “The Campaign for Take-Off” that runs from year 2000 to year 2003. One of the key sectors of “The Campaign for Take-Off” is the “100 Communities Aimed at 100% RES Supply”.

Within this context, islands constitute an ideal field for implementing the Community’s key action to strive for 100% RES supply, since: • Islands have a very rich RES potential most of which is not exploited yet.

• Most islands are extremely dependent on outside energy.

• Electricity generating costs can be ten times higher than in other regions.

• Local economies are very often dependent on tourism and the related industry is developing fast.

• As a result, energy problems (due to high seasonal differences in demand and to power load peaks) and environmental problems are common characteristics.

• The environmental impact of conventional sources and technologies are greater than on the mainland because of the fragile and vulnerable nature of island territories.

On the other hand, the Barbados Conference on islands and small island states, held in 1994 under the auspices of the United Nations, established that one of the basic determining factors for sustainable and equitable development of islands lies in energy aspects. Subsequently, the Island Solar Summit, held in Tenerife in 1999 confirmed that most islands realized that the energy sustainability strategy is one of the biggest development challenges of this moment. This strategy has been shaped in the Island Solar Agenda.

Today, the maturity of RES technologies offers the opportunity for islands to succeed energy independence, through a largescale exploitation of their abundant RES potential. An idea clearly expressed in the agreements stemmed from the 1st European Conference on Sustainable Island Development (Mi-

norca, 1997): “Energy sources other than renewable must be considered as provisional solutions unsuitable to solve in the long term the energy problem in islands.”

This idea has also been reflected by the Island 2010 initiative, which joins together the main European 100% RES experiences and defines a model of passage towards this objective.

The importance of Chania Declaration The Chania Declaration is the result of the intensive works developed by island communities during the last years and expresses the need to consolidate the 100% RES network, once the big obstacles to the launching of the first initiatives are overcome.

The identification of the essential characters of the island issue is at the base of this new movement.

The traditional limitations in the energy field, such as distance from the major grids, small scale, distribution difficulties and the lack of large conventional markets, are more than off-set by the extreme abundance of renewable energy sources, and the incredible adaptability and capacity of integration of renewable energy tech-

nologies; factors that are in sharp contrast with the progressive inefficiency and high cost of conventional energy systems in island regions.

In fact, we would go as far as to say that islands have become genuine laboratories of the future of energy sustainability. The weight of energy costs, along with the enormous social and environmental implications of using energy in such vulnerable regions, is clearly tipping the scales.

The debate on sustainable energy supply is part and parcel of the new challenges that islands must face in the immediate future. Nowadays, sustainable development for European islands cannot be understood without relating energy aspects with tourism or water production. The seasonal nature of tourism and the fact that it requires services of this kind to be much larger than those required by the resident population, however adapted their development may be, represents a serious headache for energy supply. More than fifty million Europeans choose island destinations for their holidays, thus creating scenarios that were unthinkable up until now.

The data brings us face to face with a reality that cannot be hidden. This reality can be summed up by saying that the Greek islands receive more tourists than Portugal; the Balearic Islands have twice as many tourists as Brazil and the Canary Islands receive twice as many tourists as South Africa, the great emerging destination of Africa.

This same equation can be seen in the water-energy tandem. Limited water resources have forced many islands to make the leap to desalination to quench their growing thirst. Islands have started to measure water in terms of energy units.

CHANIA DECLARATION Islands -Towards 100% Renewable Energy Sources Supply We, the participants of the Conference on "Renewable Energies for Islands - Towards 100% RES Supply", meeting in Chania (Crete) on 14-16 June 2001, Considering that the energy dimension is a fundamental aspect of the future development of islands, given their extreme dependence on external conventional energy sources, high costs and the unacceptable risks of supply security, Mindful that the environmental impact of conventional sources and technologies is greater than on the mainland because of the fragile and vulnerable nature of island territories, thus endangering a European capital of the first magnitude, Taking into account that island energy options progressively determine other essential aspects for sustainable island development like water management and production and inland transport policies, Considering that island economies have changed significantly in the direction of new specialisation like tourism, creating new scenarios in which the demand for energy is characterised by enormous variability, dispersion and even by large seasonal differences, Aware that, although if they are considered individually, islands do not account for a very high proportion of the European energy market, when taken as a whole we face a problem that affects 4% of the landmass and over 13 million European citizens. And, furthermore, while islands are thus recognized as most vulnerable to climate change, they have made the smallest contribution to its causes, Taking into account that most islands have abundant, though little used renewable energy sources whose distribution and potential for hybrid use is far more closely in line with island needs, and that new renewable energy technologies allow for better integration than conventional systems, for reasons of scale, Mindful that in this context, the 1st European Conference on Sustainable Island Development (1997), in its final declaration, established that "Nonrenewable energy sources must be considered as provisional solutions, unsuitable as a long-term solution to the energy problem in islands",

Presentation of the Chania agreements with the presence of Cipriano Marín, A. Zervos and island authorities.

Considering that articles 154 and 158 of the Amsterdam Treaty, and declaration number 30 enclosed, establish basis enough for considering the island factor as a substantial difference in favour of renewable energies,

Recalling the dispositions and recommendations in favour of implementing renewable energy sources on a large scale in European islands, which form part of the Palma de Majorca Declaration of 20th March 1999, the Kos Resolution of 11th May 2000, the Madeira Declaration of 2001 and in the Cagliari Declaration of the 24th of February, 2001, Recognising that the idea of attaining 100% Renewable Energy Sources Supply has become a powerful metaphor for many islands, supported by the appearance of real projects that demonstrate the real possibility of this final objective and by the widespread will of islands to establish differentiated energy strategies based on a maximum use of renewable energy sources.

Confirm our definite commitment to foster the development of the renewable energies on our islands, which is aimed to reach the 100% of energy supply.

Agree to share the experiences that derive from the 100% RES different initiatives with other communities and island regions of the world and to foster the exchange of information and solutions adopted with the aim to permit its replication in new initiatives.

Recognise the urgent necessity to generalize the measures that guarantee the efficient and rational use of energy as an indispensable condition for the big scale implementation of RES. Understand that, being the islands the main actors of change, we should consolidate the inter-island network cooperation for the development of demonstration projects and guarantee the mutual assistance as it is expressed for example in the rising model for the OPET European Islands.

Agree to promote the consolidation of the 100% RES Island Network in the context of the 100 Communities 100% RES European Initiative as a structural reference for the improvement and replication of 100% RES solutions to other islands.

Believe in the necessity of the development of different mechanisms that will allow us to participate and involve the island communities in the process of the decision-making in favour of the energy sustainability.

Think that the commitment for building the 100% RES Island Communities should include all sectors related to transport, water supply and management as well as the establishment of effective partnership within the new economy actors on the islands in particularly the related to the tourist industry.

In this extremely variable framework, energy options take on a fundamental strategic value for islands, especially with regard to the aspects of supply costs, quality and security. If we add the environmental dimension, where islands cannot afford the excessive externalities of conventional systems, being areas where the environment and the landscape are the principle factor of value added for their future survival, we come to the conclusion that renewables are not an option, they are the only reasonable path to follow in the future.

Islands have made a start. In the face of this situation, overall European forecasts have been exceeded. Islands no longer talk about 12% RES; they are starting to design 100% RES systems for the future. And all these solutions and designs are based on real projects and strategies. We have the El Hierro project, based on a wind-hydraulic system, the Samsoe strategy that includes generating hydrogen for clean transport in the future, the case of Gotland, the renewable island of the Baltic, Pellworm’s proposal to cut the energy connection with the mainland, the Maddalena project; an example of 100% RES in protected islands, or the initiatives of Aero and Corfu.

These examples are merely the tip of the iceberg of a major process of deploying renewable energies in all European island territo-

ries. The islands now have a large number of plans for implementing renewable energy sources on a large scale, such is the case of Crete, the new advances that are appearing in Madeira, the Danish path to island sustainable energy supply, the development of renewables in the French Overseas Departments like Guadeloupe, the case of Corsica or the accord launched by the Italian government for the Italian Small Islands.

Unlike other regions, island action to promote renewables is not circumscribed to the field of technology or the energy market; it also involves the very political action of island regions. With regard to energy, the specificity of the Island factor has been a constant element of reflection in most European Union meetings and inter-island agreements, beside the very recent Chania declaration. The declarations of Palma de Majorca (1999), Azores (2000) or Cagliari (2001), are systematically abundant with regard to this issue.

Declaration 30 on the islands, annexed to the Treaty of Amsterdam, meant the first step towards recognition for the singularity of the island factor in a broad range of aspects, among which energy occupies an important place. This is a process in which the guidelines of the well-known Viola report have made an important contribution, as has the report on the problems of development in the

ultra-peripheral regions (Fernando Fernández Martín report). The former highlights the need for community policy on island regions to help promote the rational use of energy, along with a determined decision to opt for renewables, stressing the fact that tourism distorts the energy balance of many islands by up to 600%. The latter report emphasises the proposal to attach a protocol to the Treaty, to clearly define a policy of support for renewables, and even the development and promotion of legislative measures in this sense, for islands.

European islands have, therefore, arrived at an important moment in their evolution. Political will, technological development and the terms of a sensible economic discourse based on sustainable development make it advisable to open the gates wide to this great idea of energy self-sufficiency for islands in the new millennium.

In Chania it was demonstrated that there is still an enormous area to develop. After this Conference we can state that technological and political cooperation between islands will produce in the next years a high number of actual 100% RES projects, following the trail of those already started.

For more information: OPET Website: European Commission

Energia e Acqua nelle Isole

OPET Mercosur Roadshow The European Island OPET collaborated with the associated initiative OPET Mercosur (ECLAC) in the development of a Roadshow held in the cities of São Paulo, Brasilia, Buenos Aires and Santiago of Chile, and aimed to the promotion of new European energy technologies in this part of America. The effort and importance of this initiative is shown by the 108 conferences given by panelists, focusing on 24 different technological niches related to energy and transport, that were distributed among the 4 events.

This initiative allowed a large delegation of OPET network members developed strong contacts and cooperation agreements with the main actors of each country related with new energy technology management and development.

Within the context of Mercosur, Brazil should be considered as the country with major options for the future, mainly due to the broad political and industrial support given to the project, notwithstanding the common fact of its extremely different and complex reality (this, owing mainly to its geographical size and to present social, entrepreneurial and governmental differences). Renewable energies, energy efficiency and sustainable transport - all

under a CDM focus - sound like the most promising sectors for european technology.

Chile is a country with a good outlook, mainly due to its high technical level and seriousness of the professionals of the sector, but with less potential in terms of exchange volume. Natural gas enduses, Waste-to-Energy and ESCOs sound like the most promising sectors for european technology. Argentina, in spite of the crisis, showed the big potential existing with regard to large-scale deployment of renewables. In all the countries has been confirmed the great relevance and the need of technological dissemination actions carried out by mechanisms such as OPET, with particular reference to the dissemination of information between energy advisers and consultants associated to electric and industrial companies.

Special attention was given to European islands’ experiences, in view of their possibility of replication in isolated regions, especially in Southern Chile. As a matter of fact, after the Roadshow representatives of Insula and Icaen held several meetings with the local authorities and organisations of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), with the aim to cooperate in the development of a 100% RES project for this island of the Pacific.

Cipriano Marin. Santiago (Chile)

Ci

Sardinia November 22-24, 2001 Within the framework of the 100% RES strategy for Renewable Energy Promotion in island territories set at Chania, a second Conference, dealing with the specific aspect of the water-energy binomial on islands was held at Sassari, in Sardinia.

J. M. Melim Mendes of AREAM (European Island OPET) explaining the insular context for a favourable development of renewables and the particular case of Porto Santo as a model.

Energy and Water on Islands The Conference was organised by the "Punto de Energía Provincia di Sassari" (Multiss S.p.A.), under the direction of Dr. A. Rassu, and the University of Sassari, realying on the support of EI OPET and other organisations such as FAST, ADEME, ICAEN, ANCIM and ENEA, beside the active participation of all the European Island OPET Consortium.

The European programmes dealing with this subject were analysed, together with national initiatives among which the Italian National Programmes and their application to renewable energies deployment in small islands stood out for its large scope and importance. This aspect was developed and deeply dealt by the proposals and initiatives carried

out by ANCIM. The European programmes were equally compared with the actions driven by the Small Island Developing States, whose strategy was explained by Mr Ronneberg of SIDS-UN. Within the specific field of RES-desalination solutions, the experiences of Rhodes explained

by NTUA, the hybrid systems experimented by ITC in the Canary Islands, the projects of ENEA, Hidrowatt-CASSA and Consortium 21 of Sardinia were compared with the aim to find new alliances. All cases stressed the technological maturity and high degree of efficiency available in all desalination projects based on renewable energies, with costs that start to be really competitive. A good example was

S. Sannitu Counsellor of Environment – Sassari Province, chairing one of the Conference sessions.

Eng. Franco Cavallaro (ANCIM – EI-OPET) during the debate about small Italian islands’ initiatives.

given by J.M. Melim Mendes of AREAM, about the small island of Porto Santo in the Madeira archipelago, an island with scarcity of water submitted to big seasonal variations in tourism demand.

In the final session an outstanding message of political commitment was launched by M. Segni, Member of the European Parliament, jointly with Insula's representative, summarising the main objectives of future cooperation.

G. Galván of ITER (Institute of Technology and Renewable Energies – EI-OPET), had the opportunity to present to the Island community the new software 100% RES on islands, thought as a basic tool for economic and technological decision-making for renewable energies planning and their incidence on new options of water production.

Lanzarote 2001 Launching of the Tourism Tech-Island Forum Workshop on Sustainable Tourism and New Technologies An action in favour to a generalised use of renewable energy sources in the tourist sector The island of Lanzarote hosted this meeting that allowed consolidating a new co-operation node between the renewable energy sector and the tourism industry on islands. This aspect is of great significance, as it is contradictory that, while large-scale use of renewable energies on many European islands, as well as generation of new projects, experienced a big growth in the last years, the tourist sector records the lowest interest for the implementation of new energy technologies.

In spite of that, the tourist sector is without any doubt one of the better market niches for field application of new energy technologies, including transport and the energy efficiency areas. We do not have to forget that island destinations of Southern and Ultraperipheral Europe alone sum up to more than 4 million international arrivals per year, with a hotel capacity higher than 1.5 M beds. Furthermore, it is a growing sector at present and tourist economies are very sensible to innovation in the framework of the new quality policies established for destinations.

The conference, structured through thematic workshops, was organised by the European Island OPET with the support of the authorities of the Canary Islands Government, of the local administrations of tourist municipalities and of the Institute of Responsible Tourism. It relied on the par-

ticipation of more than 100 representatives of hotel chains and groups, the building sector, island and international tourist associations and the renewable energies sector.

Among the most important aspects of the cooperation conclusions arisen in the different workshops, it is worth mentioning that the hotel sector is indeed sensitised with regard to RES+RUE innovation, although it still exists some lack of specialised information, and the main problem lies in the engineering, architecture and consulting companies, to which the tourist sectors rely on.

Karen Fletcher, of the International Hotel Environment Initiative, an organisation supporting the Forum, pointed up importance of supplying maintenance managers and directors with control and follow-up tools and instruments (software), in order to establish energy saving and efficiency policies. In this sense it was emphasised the promotion of the Hotel Benchmarking Tool.

The Institute of Responsible Tourism remarked in various workshops the achievements in the use of quality labels and ecolabels of destinations and establishments as innovation factors in favour of renewables. On this regard, the experience of the Biosphere Hotels International Network certainly is an exemplary achievement for the consolidation of the Forum, as it brings the nec-

Conference 'Power from Renewables' New Delhi, 1-2 April 2002 Within the framework of the actions of cooperation with other OPETs, that include the promotion of 100% RES strategy for the Lakshadweep archipelago,

the European Island OPET participated in the New Delhi Conference.

This Conference was marked by two complementary perspectives

essary reference projects within the sector.

The utilities insisted in the need to deepen in the relationship between RET and desalinated water production, that in some island destinations turns to be an essential factor that limits development. Finally, tourist municipalities have been those who pressed most on the need to establish projects of clean transports since this is one of the most efficient measures for the qualification of these destinations.

The meeting Lanzarote 2001 brought to the consolidation of the Tech Island Tourism Forum with accurate objectives aiming: • to exchange experiences about environment and sustainability

Press Conference offered by the Canary Islands' authority with the participation of EI-OPET and the representative of the de International Environment Hotel Initiative.

in the tourist sector, mainly in hotel establishments.

• to exchange the results data of practical applications for the tourist sustainability in the hotel establishments those and tourist destinations.

• to promote programs of RE technological innovation for sustainability in the hotel establishments • to promote combined actions of hotels and local authorities with competition as regards equipment, services and tourism.

• to discover state of the art ecoefficient technologies in the islands' tourist sector.

• to open communication channels between main decisionmakers: hotel managers, tourist associations and operators, local authorities, manufacturers, service providers, consultants, engineers and architects, research and development institutes.

• to exchange experiences between island destinations.

• to identify demonstration projects.

Opening session of the Workshop, chaired by the Canary Island’s Ministers of Tourism and of Environment. With the presence of members of the European Island OPET, of the IRT, ITC and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology.

describing the renewable energy (RE) power scenarios in India and the European Union (EU).

In the several sessions participants were shown the possibilities of RET promotion in insular territories, as well as capability to replicate projects, particularly through the experience of the European Island OPET and ADEME. Cipriano Marin Cabrera gave his contribution as European Island OPET. Different scenarios were envisaged, comparing conventional with RE sources. Successful examples of 100% RES

initiatives are Madeira, Samsoe, Guadeloupe, El Hierro or Gotland.

The presentation 'Decentralized electricity: the French Experience' of Dr. F. Juquois (ADEME, France), revealed that within France and the neighbouring French-occupied islands, ADEME, in collaboration with EDF (the French utility), had been very successful in electrifying rural areas. The main objectives of the Future French programmes are to encourage building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), promote demand side management (DSM) and reduce costs.

Michel Caillouet, Ambassador-Head of Delegation, European Commission, delivering the Inaugural Address

The case of the Lakshadweep islands was dealt taking into account the European experiences about large-scale implementation of RES.

Action plan Lakshadweep islands 100% RES

Within the framework of the OPET network’s international cooperation, the action lead by TERI (India), in which participate the ADEME and the European Island OPET, regarding the development of a 100% RES initiative in the Lakshadweep islands stands out.

The Lakshadweep group of islands in the Arabian Sea is one of the two major groups of islands in India, the other being the Andaman & Nicobar chain in the Bay of Bengal. Lakshadweep consists of 10 small and medium sized inhabited islands and several uninhabited ones, about 400 km off the south-west coast of mainland India. All the coral islands are low-lying and covered with coconut palms.

The main occupations are fishing, fish processing and tourism.

Fish is dried on open fires in which parts of the coconut tree are burnt. “Maas”, as this dried fish is called, is exported from the islands. Tourism is being developed in a very controlled way so that the fragile ecological balance in the islands is not disturbed. Foreign tourists are allowed to visit only one island while four islands are open for Indian tourists.

Tourism, together with changing life-styles and the rise of new energy needs, has nearly doubled the electricity consumption. Main islands like Kavaratti and Minicoy have experienced nearly a triplication in consumption.

Electricity generation is mainly from diesel generation sets but several renewable technologies have also been tried out. The diesel fuel is carried to the island from the mainland in 200 liter oil drums and stocked at the power

plants. Under these conditions, and with a capacity of 9MW installed, the RES option is more than reasonable.

Renewable energy devices tried out so far include three small wind generators, a biogas plant and SPV power plants. The wind generators were a dismal failure because they did not work for very long. The experience with SPV power plants was more satisfactory and once the 750 kWp sanctioned last year is installed, the total SPV capacity will exceed 1 MWp. Biomass from coconut trees available for utilisation in gasifiers to generate electricity has been estimated from the total coconut production by subtracting the amount used for smoking fish and the amount that will displace the kerosene presently used for cooking. More than 38 tons of biomass is available every year for generating electricity. This quantity of biomass can generate 18.8 million kWh of electricity/ yr, which is the double of total electricity consumption of all the islands in 2000-01. Therefore, there is sufficient biomass available to meet the electricity requirement of all the inhabited islands in Lakshadweep. Work on installation of 250 KW biomass gasifier that will be running on the above wastes from coconut is nearing completion at Kavaratti.

The solar, wind and biomass resources have been quantified and two different hybrid systems have been chosen for the small and big islands. The systems being considered include wind generators, SPV arrays, biomass gasifier based IC engine-generators and hybrid systems consist-

ing of two or more of the above together with battery banks and power conversions systems wherever applicable. Thermal applications of gasifiers are being considered to increase the efficiency of utilisation of biomass presently burnt in open fires.

After investigating possible technical solutions for providing electricity on the Lakshadweep islands from renewable energy sources, two different solutions are emerging, one for the big islands and another for the small islands. Both systems utilise the diesel generation set for back-up, so a biomass gasifier to displace as much of the diesel fuel oil as possible is relevant for both systems.

Wind-SPV-Diesel Hybrid system systems are ideal for the smaller islands like Bitra and Bangaram where the total DG set capacity may be less than 100 kW. The system includes a battery bank for storage and an inverter for converting the DC to AC. The wind generators used in these systems are mostly permanent magnet alternators made for battery charging. The inverters are bi-directional and can also charge the battery from the AC source available. Commercially available inverters for hybrid systems are fairly intelligent and can perform all the functions of the control system.

For the larger islands having DG power plant capacities of a few hundred kilowatts to megawatts, the SPV array and battery bank, which are the most expenLakshadweep

sive items, are best avoided. For these islands the best option is a pure Wind-Diesel hybrid. The wind generators used in such systems are standard induction machines connected to the AC bus of the DG power plant. To switch off the diesel generation sets whenever there is sufficient wind speed, and maintain grid stability, a supervisory control system is essential. However, very few wind-diesel control systems are commercially available and they are extremely expensive. Therefore TERI is presently working on the development of a supervisory wind-diesel control system for such applications.

Most of the gasifiers installed in India are for thermal applications like drying, etc. but electricity generation has also been tried out at several places including one 100 kW system at the Andaman Islands. There are several manufacturers of biomass gasifiers, and substitution of diesel up to 70% is easily achievable at present. However, problems are still being solved and the technology continues to mature.

Since the diesel engine generator is a part of both hybrid systems and ensures the reliability and autonomy of the systems, eliminating diesel consumption will be the most challenging part of any strategy to introduce 100% RES on the Lakshadweep islands.

Research and development work is going on at several centers in India to run a diesel engine on 100% gas, and it is expected that such systems will be available commercially within the next 2 to 3 years. Thermal applications of gasifiers will be used to improve the efficiency of utilisation of biomass for drying fish. The producer gas from the gasifier will be burned in high-efficiency burners. It is estimated that the con-

sumption of biomass for heat will reduce by at least half if gasifiers are used for heating.

All the above conditions allow estimating that the Lakshadweep system can be an excellent 100% RES model with multiple variables of hybrid systems, a work started by TERI jointly with ADEME and the participation of Insula.

On 31 May 2001, at a meeting in New Delhi, the Lakshadweep government has declared their intention to change over to 100% RES during the next ‘5-year plan’. An Action Plan for introducing the RES solutions on the islands in a phased manner is being developed by TERI jointly with the Lakshadweep Electricity Department. The Action Plan will aim at 100% RES in all the Lakshadweep islands by the year 2005.

Information freely extracted from the work of : Dr. VVN Kishore K Raghavan, Tata Energy Research Institute Contacts for the Lakshadweep project P. Chakravarty, Ph.D Fellow & Area Convenor Centre for Renewable Energy & Environmental Studies Tata Energy Research Institute Southern Regional Centre 4th Main, 2nd cross, Domlur II Stage Bangalore - 560071 INDIA purandar@teri.res.in

A new Sun for Biosphere Islands Solar Campaign The campaign within the Minorca airport.

Information display placed in the hotel receptions.

The ICAEN (Institut Catalá d'Energia)-OPET CRONOS, in cooperation with the European Island OPET, launched a sensitisation campaign aimed to promote renewable energies in the tourist sector on islands that have been declared "Biosphere Reserves" by the UNESCO. In this first phase the campaign is centred on the islands of Minorca, Lanzarote, El Hierro, Galapagos and Guadeloupe, and relies on the support of local governments and associations. In these emblematic island territories, commitment for a tourism sustainable development started to forge important projects in the

fields of energy, water and waste management.

This initiative involves a commitment with islands' tourist associations and technology providers in favour of the promotion of a maximum use of renewables in the sector. Their status of Biosphere Reserve give them an outstanding capacity of experience dissemination through the International Biosphere Reserve Network made up by more than 350 territories throughout the world.

The campaign was started in emblematic island destinations and has the double aim to inform tourists in order they request lodging and services complying with responsible touriism's specifications and at the same time to promote RET incorporation in the tourist sector, in agreement with hotel managers and local authorities.

Poster in the Tourist Information Centre of Lanzarote.

Presentation of the Campaign "A new sun for the islands". In the photo: Arthouros Zervos (European Island OPET - RENES), Cipriano Marín (EIO), Mechtild Rothe (Member of the European Parliament), Mariangels Pérez Latorre (European Commission), Christoph Peters and Anna Garriga (ICAEN).

Welcome to this Island Biosphere Reserve ....

Earth holds many beautiful places, excellent holiday destinations all, but did you know that some of these idyllic spots have been designated by UNESCO as Biosphere Reserves?

Biosphere Reserves are places whose outstanding environmental value and excellent state of conservation make them veritable real-scale "laboratories" for sustainable development in which economic and social progress goes hand-in-hand with the preservation and improvement of their natural and cultural heritage.

The objective of UNESCO's "island biosphere reserve" designation is none other than to promote the commitment to maintain and even improve this heritage so that future generations can continue to enjoy it, providing support for experiences which can become points of reference for other places all over the world.

A very special case amongst this network of privileged areas are certain islands which, besides their unique environmental wealth, are also particularly vulnerable to environmentally-unfriendly human intervention. This is the case, amongst others, of the islands of Minorca, Lanzarote, Guadeloupe, Galapagos and Hierro.

All these islands have one particular point in common: tourism is the principal economic activity on all of them. For this reason, the promotion of responsible tourism is an absolute priority for achieving sustainable development and ensuring their future conservation.

We should, therefore, promote responsible tourism...

And just what does responsible tourism mean?

The answer is simple: it is tourist activity based, above all, on the following objectives: • Conserving the environment and cultural heritage • Improving quality of life amongst the host population • Ensuring maximum satisfaction of tourists' expectations

Information display placed in the hotel receptions

It is obvious that tourist establishments of all kinds are called upon to play a leading role in the task of making this possible. Hotels are particularly crucial to achieving the above aims, and should adopt as their own the principles and guidelines laid down in the "World Charter for Sustainable Tourism".

"Biosphere Hotels", a distinguishing ecolabel It is important that tourist establishments and destinations should be committed to achieving the goals of responsible tourism, but it is no less crucial that potential users should be able to recognise them. It is to this end that the Institute for Responsible Tourism, an organisation linked to UNESCO, has launched the "Biosphere Hotels" ecolabel, whose technological part has been developed in cooperation with the European Island OPET. This distinction is awarded to all those establishments which adopt as an integral part of their activities measures concerning five basic issues: saving resources, environmental efficiency, sustainability, cultural respect and responsible marketing.

This means, for example, that establishments undertake to adopt measures for saving water and ensuring maximum energy efficiency, making the greatest possible use of renewable energy sources. Such establishments also place maximum emphasis on minimising and recycling waste, controlling emissions and limiting noise and other nuisances.

Moreover, buildings and facilities should also comply with current environmental legislation and should be integrated into the landscape.

Let's talk about renewable energy It is well-known to all that good energy management is crucial to sustainable development anywhere. In the case of islands such as those mentioned here, it is an absolute priority, particularly in view of the fact that the possibilities for self-sufficiency based on use of the renewable energies offer the ideal solution. That is why a series of projects for the promotion of renewable energies have been developed, with the support

of different European Commission programmes, on Minorca, Lanzarote and Hierro (Spain), Guadeloupe (France) and the Galapagos (Ecuador). Needless to say, all these initiatives are complemented by energy efficiency policies.

The projects carried out on these islands involve a range of different technologies, from the use of wind power, photovoltaic electrification and solar air conditioning to waste management. An action common to all the islands is the development of solar thermal energy projects in the hotel industry.

What can tourists do?

By launching energy efficiency campaigns and prioritising the use of renewable energy sources, local authorities play an important role in achieving the goals of sustainable tourism.

For their part, hotel managers can adopt energy saving policies and apply technologies making maximum use of renewable energy sources at their establishments. Nonetheless, you should remember that you, too, have a key role to play. Your action can help to make all these initiatives truly effective, contributing to a goal shared by all: that of conserving the local environmental wealth and cultural heritage.

It is true that by choosing to spend their holidays at hotels and establishments which display the "Biosphere Hotels" label, visitors are already showing their support for responsible tourism. Nonetheless, tourists can also actively contribute to environmental objectives by saving water, minimising waste generation, following the recommendations of the local authorities and hotel establishments to avoid energy waste and, last but not least, showing maximum respect for the conservation of environmental and cultural heritage on their walks, trips and visits. Remember, you are enjoying a legacy which took millions of years to build.

Sustainable Development and Responsible Tourism can be achieved only with everybody's help!

This text is part of the promotion campaign paimphet.

EIO NEWSLETTER Edited by: Cipriano Marín Editorial Board: Giuseppe Orlando Guillermo Galván Franco Cavallaro Athouros Zervos J.M. Melim Mendes Graphic designer: Luis Mir Printed by: Tenydea S.L.

The Renewable Energy Market Framework for Small Italian Islands The Mediterranean Sea extends for nearly two million square km, with almost 300 million inhabitants.

This basin as a whole includes 162 islands (having at least 10 square km surface) and 4,000 smaller islands and islets, having less than 10 square km: amounting to a surface of not more than 100,000 km2, with about ten million inhabitants, 2/3 of which living in Sicily (5 million) and Sardinia (1.6 million).

If we leave out of consideration the 15 widest islands as for surface (from Djierba with more than 530 km2, up to Sicily with 25,462 km2), the total surface of the small islands in the Mediterranean Sea reduces to 10% of the total value, amounting to about 10,000 km2 but counts only 5% population.

In such a context, the Italian smaller islands as a whole stand out as for density, since their population is almost quadruple compared with the average: nearly 170,000 inhabitants living in about 900 km2 of territory, with a density of some 190 inhabitants/km2 .

For our purpose, it is useful to compare these data with the studies on the vitality and self-sufficiency of the smaller islands: • 50 inhabitants/km2 is the minimum threshold in order to start up processes of self-sufficient development • 350 inhabitants/km2 is the maximum threshold above which congestion traces start.

From recent data collected on smaller Italian islands, it results: • a critical situation for Capraia and Palmaria; • a well balanced situation for all the islands whose population is around 110-120 inhabitants.

This subgroup, made up by 18 islands, represents over the 70% of the whole surface of Italian Smaller Islands, and about 44% of their population; • Islands belonging to Pelagies and Maddalena show a higher density than the average, due to their different destination, e.g. their strategic role and the same activities connected with Defense.

• Pontine islands (Ponza particularly) show values above the threshold level, evidently due to the high tourist activity linked to their proximity and barycentric position between the two metropolitan areas of Rome and Naples.

• The islands in the Gulf of Naples have a density by far superior to the threshold level typical of congestion.

Power production in smaller islands is relatively recent; on larger islands it is assured by private companies, while on smaller ones

by ENEL (National Body for Electric Energy). Several islands which are close to the coast are connected to the mainland grid (S. Antioco, S. Pietro, La Maddalena, Elba, Ischia, Capri and Procida).

Due to their present social-economic structure, population density and energy consumption, smaller islands are not able to develop a policy of energy selfsufficiency, and therefore compensative allowances become necessary. Transfers of compensatory sums in the energy sector arose from the existence of only one national price to be paid by final users (Law of nationalization confirmed by so-called the Bersani Decree) and from the consequent institution of balance funds to be granted to producers and distributors working in isolated areas.

The value of the balance funds is often higher that the value of the fossil primary source necessary to produce electric power, especially on smaller islands and where consumption is lower because balance funds are tied to the need of a peak power apart from energy, and therefore of plants.

The water cycle falls within the energy sector because it is the main consumer of energy for the desalination and moreover for the pumping of the aqueduct system and of the sewerage and, finally, for water treatment. The case of Lipari is symbolic because the desalinating plant alone consumes a quantity of energy amounting to 2/3 of the basic consumption of the power generating plant that supplies the island.

• Producing costs of energy from conventional sources in the smaller Italian islands are much higher if compared to the same producing costs paid in the mainland; • Companies managing the service of production and distribution of energy have a management deficit covered by funds fixed by a special CIP session and agreed by the Industry Department. The funds are then paid by the Balance Fund for the power sector; • This deficit occurs because a kWh is sold at the same price as that one applied by the National Electric Body (about 0.16 € per kWh) on the whole na-

tional territory, ant this price is remarkably lower that the producing and distributing costs sustained by the enterprises of the islands; • The financial fund supplied by the State serves the purpose of filling the gap caused by the tariffs and the real producing costs sustained by the enterprises of the islands; Funds for the electric sector as tariff supplement due to smaller electric enterprises that have not been absorbed by ENEL, the final rate relative to the year 1991 for each here under listed electric enterprises and for each kilowatthour is assessed as follows:

for the smaller enterprises, operated by the Bersani decree, the article 7 provides for the definition of dispositions concerning the small isolated grids; this definition will be controlled by the Industry Department following the proposals of the Energy authority; The implementation of these rules could produce a definite change in the management of tariff supplements and generally, in the system of equal distribution now carried out by the Balance Fund for the power sector. Every reform intervention, will be passed however with the agreement of the Industry Department and the Energy Authority.

Enterprises S.I.P.P.I.C.S.p.A.-Capri Napoli De Luca - Zagami - Società elettrica liparese S.n.c. - Lipari S.MED.E. Pantelleria S.p.a. Pantelleria S.EL.I.S. Lampedusa S.p.A. Lampedusa S.EL.I.S. Linosa S.p.A. - Linosa S.EL.I.S. Marettimo S.p.A. - Marettimo Società elettrica ponzese S.p.A. - Ponza S.I.E. - Società impianti elettrici S.r.l. - Giglio S.E.A. - Società elettrica di Favignana S.p.A. - Favignana Impresa elettrica D'Anna & Bonaccorsi S.n.c. - Ustica Imprese industrie elettriche Germano - Tremiti I.C.E.L. S.r.l. - Impresa Campo elettricità - Levanzo

• The tariff supplement system, being so conceived, has ended by favoring in disloyal way the production of conventional source energy, acting therefore as barrier against the diffusion of the renewable ones; • The recent liberalization of the energy market has indirectly involved only the smaller electric enterprises, without changing their status defined at the time when the nationalization of the sector occurred; • The implementation of some norms contained in the reform and in the relative rules could cause great changes in the management of tariff supplements and in the system of equal distribution.

Power sector regulations have been modified by the legislative decree n. 79/99 (the above mentioned "Bersani decree") that has implemented the community directive 96/92/CE. The reform operated by the Bersani decree has indirectly involved only the smaller electric enterprises. Their status, defined at the time when the nationalization of the sector occurred, has not been modified.

Among the relevant interventions

€ /Kwh 0.182 0.106 0.183 0.195 0.422 0.540 0.186 0.249 0.354 0.249 0.278 0.505

In the light of the present of the power market changes, ANCIM (Associazione Italiana Comuni Isole Minori)-OPET has proposed to the Industry Department an agreement in order to take measures able to reform the Balance Fund. Such an agreement aims to regulate an economic-financial tool, supporting the smaller electric enterprises, at guaranteeing, exploiting and stimulating the use of renewable energy sources, in order to gain energy self-sufficiency through the realization of wind, geothermic, solar thermal and photovoltaic systems, thermal cells and biomass according to the case.

The rules that are being established at national level, for instance division between electric power generating and electric power distributing societies cannot be optimal for small realities. And also application of management techniques relative to the demand that should involve those responsible for all activities following the replaced power meter cannot be easily applied on local level, where the incomes of the society depend less on the tariffs and more on the subsidies of the Balance Fund.

This problem must be dealt by the Industry Department and the Energy Authority, as foreseen by the article 7 of the decree signed Bersani on market liberalization; it is necessary to develop a model of society working for the supply of energy services, ESCO (Energy Service Company) able to work as a supplier dealing with increased consumptions in order to promote Efficiency and Renewable Sources without suffering damage.

As for financing energy investments drawn from renewable sources, different models can be considered if referred to self-producers or to producers; The most appropriate financing way must be therefore chosen according to the investment and it can change, for instance, from middle-term financing granted to artisans or small enterprises. For small producing plants it would be advisable to resort to ESCO as promoter and developer and to "Third Party Financing".

Among the most appropriate forms of financial intervention there are the contributions in sunk capital account, the recognition of tariff integrations, the co-financing and interventions and/or contributions in account management, or, particularly for renewable sources, the realization of plants able to take advantage of incentives that are to be charged to all power consumers.

Anyway it is agreed that without a more efficient use of the sums today managed by different balance mechanisms, there will not be interventions having a good structural value. It is necessary to reconcile transparency, solidarity and entrepreneurship.

F. Cavallaro (ANCIM)

Revenues of local utilities on Islands (for conventional power) - Italy 1992

Source: A. Sorokin - Renewable Energies on Mediterranean Islands - Dec. 1996 - ENEL DSR

B7-A Strategy for the Future 2002 - 2006 "Energy efficiency, energy savings and use of renewables are an important part of creating an environmentally sustainable development on the island. A lot of experience can be transferred in this field". (B7 Baltic Islands group strategy).

Since 1989 the largest islands in the Baltic Sea have formed a common interest group, "The Islands of the Baltic Sea". The islands that have been involved from the beginning are Bornholm (Denmark), Gotland (Sweden), Hiiumaa (Estonia), Saaremaa (Estonia), Åland (Finland), and Öland (Sweden), Rügen (Germany). The geographic position of the islands, in the middle of the Baltic Sea, made them especially aware of the emerging new opportunities, prompting the commencement of collaboration between the islands.

In 1994 political leaders of the islands signed the co-operation agreement called Baltic Sea Seven Islands (B7).

Altogether-B7 represents 300.000 inhabitants in the Baltic Sea. In 1995-1996 the seven Baltic Sea islands had jointly compiled a program of action: The Baltic Sea Islands - a common strategy for the future. The aim of the program was to increase the Baltic Sea islands' possibilities of utilising their development potential. The overall goal in the common strategy of action was to create the basis for more jobs a long-term sustainable development, as well as mutual enrichment of the islands and the world around them.

In the beginning of 2001 the Strategy

Group of B7 was once again formed.

A Strategy for the Future. 2002-2006 is the headline of the new strategy under elaboration.

The long-term vision for the islands is explained as to approaching a richer, smarter and happier population. They are also more in control of their own destiny than in year 2001. Therefore the priorities of the B7 islands' co-operation are: Transport, Education, Tourism, Environment and Renewable Energy, Business Development, ICT (Information & Communication Technologies), Democracy, inter-regional understanding, networking, Rural and Agro-business Development, Healthcare, Public Service Effectiveness, Common History.

Reet Kokovkin, member of the B7 Board, Hiiumaa

The Samsoe island experience is a basic reference for the development of 100% RES initiatives in Hiiumaa.

The Wind Always Wins "Even a hiidlane can't win against the wind," island men would say while struggling with their sails on a stormy sea. This work was done and done well by many a generation - on foreign ships, in schooners and the beautiful tall ships they themselves built on these very island beaches. "The north

is always cold - no matter what direction it blows from," were the wise words of wisdom used to match wits with fellow sailors.

At the end of the last century over 500 windmills ground the island's grain. The ten or so that remain standing today are now museum pieces. But the wind rages on. In the second half of the 1980s the islanders found out about the wind-powered generators that had become fashionable in the West, and they wanted one of their own. Ten years later, with help from the Danish Environmental Agency and the Estonian Fund for the Environment on Tahkuna Point, that wish came true and the island installed the first wind-powered generator in all of Estonia. As is the custom with all new things on the island, the new generator was given a name: White Angel. (Ingel, meaning 'angel', is also a popular girl's name on the island of Hiiumaa.)

The next wind generators will be brought to the island on a commercial basis, when and if the business plans show they can earn their keep. In the meantime, the island's entire energy system is being closely examined. Following the example of Denmark's Samso Island, some specialists want to put together a ten-year strategy for making Hiiumaa a renewable energy island. Other options, in addition to wind power, are also being considered: conservation of energy and reconstruction of buildings, biomass as a possible furnace fuel, use of solar energy, the potential of electric energy, etc.

Ruuben Post Managing director of the Hiiumaa Centre of the Archipelago Biosphere Reserve of Western Estonia

WHAT IS THE OPET NETWORK? The OPET Network (Organisation for the Promotion of Energy Technologies) is an initiative of the European Commission, whose aim is to disseminate information on new innovative energy technologies and promote the benefits deriving from them.

These energy technologies cover the areas of renewable energy sources and rational use of energy in industry, buildings and transport.

The network aims to promote a wider use of new and innovative European energy technologies, based on a wide range of realised projects.

The OPET Network is managed by the EC's DG TREN (Transport & Energy). Eight OPET Associates have been selected, covering the following regions: China, Latin America, South Africa, the Caucasus, Russia and the Black Sea Region. These organisations or consortia will work with the

OPETs to promote technology transfer and the exploitation of research results in their regions.

The European Island OPET participates in this network with the aim to promote the maximum implementation of sustainable energy technologies in the European islands. One of the main objectives of the EIO consortium is to overcome the barriers that hinder a full integration and exploitation of renewable energy sources on islands.

HOW CAN THE EUROPEAN ISLAND OPET HELP YOU? • • • • • • • • •

Qualified energy technology expertise for solution of technical RES problems.

Organisation of workshops and conferences on sustainable energy technologies.

Consultations on energy matters and pre-feasibility studies on conversion to renewably energy sources.

Assistance in planning and implementation of energy pilot and demonstration projects.

Dissemination of information on successful RES projects, especially 100% RES initiatives.

Access to energy reports and the energy know-how in European islands.

Assistance related to the preparation of project proposals to energy programmes.

Market evaluations.

Information and advice centre for islands companies and public institutions on EU-support programmes in the energy sector.

• Contacts to manufacturers and suppliers.

• Exchange of experience and technological transfer between islands.

• Reinforce dedicated renewable energy information systems for islands.

EUROPEAN ISLAND OPET CONSORTIUM INSULA, International Scientific Council for Island Development Co-ordinator: Cipriano Marin c/o UNESCO, 1 rue Miollis. F-75015 Paris. FRANCE Contact: Cipriano Marin Tel.:+33-1 45684056 Fax: +33-1 45685804 E-mail: c.marin@insula.org

ITER, Instituto de Tecnología y Energías Renovables Poligono Industrial de Granadilla - Parque Eólico E-38611 San Isidro - Tenerife. SPAIN Contact: Manuel Cendagorta Tel.:+34-922 391000 Fax: +34-922 391001 E-mail: iter@iter.rcanaria.es

Contact: Franco Cavallaro Tel.:+39-090 361967 Fax: +39-090 343828 E-mail: frcavall@tin.it

HIIU MAAVALITSUS, Hiiumaa County Government Department of Regional Development Leigri väljak 5, Kärdla 92401, Hiiumaa. ESTONIA Contact: Reet Kokovkin Tel.:+37 246 31132 Fax: +37 246 31089 E-mail: reet@mv.hiiumaa.ee

The international actions are developed in cooperation with: OPET Portugal. IST

NTUA-RENES, National Technical University of Athens

Contact: Ana Pipio E-mail: anapipio@ist.utl.pt

9, Heroon Polytechniou Str. GR-15780 Zografu-Athens. GREECE Contact: Arthouros Zervos Tel.:+30-1 7721030 Fax: +30-1 7721047 E-mail: Zervos@fluid.mech.ntua.gr

Applied Energy Centre Contact: Ioannis Chryssis E-mail: mcienerg@cytanet.com.cy

AREAM, Agencia Regional da Energia e Ambiente da Região Autonoma da Madeira Madeira Tecnopolo.

P-9000-390 Funchal. PORTUGAL Contact: José Manuel Melim Mendes Tel.:+351-291723300 Fax:+351-291720033 E-mail: aream@mail.telepac.pt

ANCIM, Associazione Nazionale Comuni Isole Minori Via dei Prefetti 46. I-00186 Roma. ITALY

OPET Cyprus

OPET Cronos (FAST) Contact: Rosaria Gandolfi E-mail: Rosaria.Gandolfi@fast.mi.it

ADEME Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maitrise de l'Energie Contact: René Cornand E-mail: Rene.Cornand@ademe.fr

ICAEN, Institut Catalá d’Energia Contact: Daniel Satue E-mail: estudis@icaen.es

Energy, Environment, Sustainable development

HIIU MAAVALITSUS

A.N.C.I.M. winds for the future