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Maximising sustainability: Planning and optimisation strategies for achieving 100 % renewable energy communities in remote islands - A case study of Corvo Island, Portugal

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  • Graça Gomes, João
  • Sammarchi, Sergio
  • Yang, Qiang
  • Yang, Tianqi
  • Chong, Cheng Tung
  • Sousa, Ana Margarida
  • Lim, Jeng Shiun
  • Li, Jia

Abstract

The development of smart communities in remote regions is often hindered by geographical constraints and challenges in energy access. This study focuses on the development of a novel optimisation model that sizes a 100 % renewable and autonomous smart energy community, in a remote island, which integrates heating, power and water supply. The model considers operational, technical, and geographical constraints and provides a comprehensive approach for energy demand prediction, system design and evaluation. Constrained non-linear optimisation is employed to formulate the problem, and historical weather, load demand, and power and heating generation prices data modelled hourly are used for validation. The approach is applied to Corvo Island, Azores archipelago, Portugal. Results show that developing a renewable-based system with solar thermal-powered heating is Corvo's most cost-competitive decarbonisation alternative (LCOE from €0.2599/kWh to €0.5605/kWh). The renewable-based system with hydrogen-powered heating has LCOE values in the range of €0.35/kWh to €1.06/kWh. This configuration could witness a significant reduction in aggregate costs through the commercialisation of oxygen, a byproduct of the hydrogen generation process. The optimisation model highlights the viability of sustainable energy solutions and guides power designers and decision-makers in fostering smart, resilient communities in remote regions and islands, ensuring sustainability in long-term lifecycles.

Suggested Citation

  • Graça Gomes, João & Sammarchi, Sergio & Yang, Qiang & Yang, Tianqi & Chong, Cheng Tung & Sousa, Ana Margarida & Lim, Jeng Shiun & Li, Jia, 2025. "Maximising sustainability: Planning and optimisation strategies for achieving 100 % renewable energy communities in remote islands - A case study of Corvo Island, Portugal," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 319(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:319:y:2025:i:c:s036054422500444x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.134802
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    1. Graça Gomes, João & Medeiros Pinto, José & Xu, Huijin & Zhao, Changying & Hashim, Haslenda, 2020. "Modeling and planning of the electricity energy system with a high share of renewable supply for Portugal," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    2. Jessica Jewell & Vadim Vinichenko & Lola Nacke & Aleh Cherp, 2019. "Prospects for powering past coal," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 9(8), pages 592-597, August.
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