Energy Autonomy Scenario for the Island of Mykonos in Greece with Solar Power Plants

Abstract

Mykonos is one of the fastest growing Greek islands, and it attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists, mainly in the summer months. A consequence of this rapid development is an ever-increasing energy demand. Solar energy exploitation is the topic of this study, and the aim is to provide an energy autonomous solution for Mykonos that covers its electricity needs for the whole year from photovoltaic plants. Data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service and Eumetsat’s support to nowcasting and very short-range forecasting were combined with Radiative Transfer Models and the Photovoltaic Geographical Information System in order to quantify the island’s expected electricity production and the effect of atmospheric parameters, and this enabled an energy adequacy scenario to be formed and financial analysis to be conducted. The aim of the method proposed in this study is to highlight the opportunity for energy transition for Mykonos as well as the rest of Cyclades islands, and to thereby provide viable and sustainable development.

Keywords

• energy autonomy
• cloud and aerosol effect
• renewables