Investigation of energy, water, and electromobility through the development of a hybrid renewable energy system on the island of Kos

Abstract

The lack of fresh water and energy independence in remote islands leads to the investigation of Hybrid Systems (HS). In this paper, the implementation of wind energy for meeting energy, water, and electromobility demands on a Greek island is examined. The stochastic nature of wind potential leads to the introduction of energy storage units. Energy storage can be achieved through the HS, which utilizes the rich wind potential of the island of Kos, stores excess energy through pumping to an upper reservoir, and produces hydropower in order to cover the energy deficit. The HS in this study consists of a wind farm with a total capacity of 9.4 MW, which is composed of 4 wind turbines of 2.35 MW, two desalination units with a total capacity of 2275 m3/day a 10 kW power pump for pumping the desalinated water to the drinking water reservoir with a capacity of 180000 m3. It also consists of a hydro turbine of 5 m3 /s and an upper reservoir with a capacity of 400000 m3 at a height of 176 m above the hydroelectric station. The first operated scenario aims to meet the energy and water needs of Pyli (3500 inhabitants). The second scenario aims to cover the electromobility and water needs of 20000 inhabitants, which is equivalent to the entire city of Kos. The simulation models operate with hourly meteorological and demand data for the period 2016-2020, results about CO2 emissions, before and after the integration of the HS are presented, and a cost-benefit analysis is performed for the first scenario.