[{"command":"openDialog","selector":"#drupal-modal","settings":null,"data":"\u003Cdiv id=\u0022republish_modal_form\u0022\u003E\u003Cform class=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form ecl-form\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 action=\u0022\/en\/article\/modal\/8940\u0022 method=\u0022post\u0022 id=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 accept-charset=\u0022UTF-8\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHorizon articles can be republished for free under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EYou must give appropriate credit. We ask you to do this by:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 1) Using the original journalist\u0027s byline\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 2) Linking back to our original story\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 3) Using the following text in the footer: This article was originally published in \u003Ca href=\u0027#\u0027\u003EHorizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003ESee our full republication guidelines \u003Ca href=\u0027\/horizon-magazine\/republish-our-stories\u0027\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EHTML for this article, including the attribution and page view counter, is below:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textarea form-item-body-content js-form-item-body-content ecl-form-group ecl-form-group--text-area form-no-label ecl-u-mv-m\u0022\u003E\n \n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n \u003Ctextarea data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 aria-describedby=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 id=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 name=\u0022body_content\u0022 rows=\u00225\u0022 cols=\u002260\u0022 class=\u0022form-textarea ecl-text-area\u0022\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EEurope\u2019s islands are leading the charge in the clean energy transition \u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECarbon dioxide from power generation must be reduced to reach EU climate targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and becoming climate neutral by 2050. European research and innovation are fostering new disruptive technologies and sustainable solutions to make this happen.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003ESo how is it possible to establish energy self-sufficiency that simultaneously safeguards the islands\u2019 futures and meets climate goals? The wind blows, the sun shines and the waves lap their shores. Harnessing these renewable energy sources (RES) has tremendous potential to reduce or eliminate the need for fossil fuels-derived energy.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClean electricity by the islands, for the islands\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe ways in which islands can make changes to transform their energy landscapes are nearly as diverse as the islands themselves, and Europe\u2019s islands are making pioneering contributions across the board that have caught the world\u2019s attention.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe island of \u00c6r\u00f8 in Denmark, with its brightly painted houses and cobblestone streets, is well on its way to a complete transition to RES, garnering it \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t9euDfZ4tEk\u0026amp;ab_channel=%C3%86r%C3%B8EnergyLab\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Efirst place\u003C\/a\u003E in the EU\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/research-and-innovation\/funding\/funding-opportunities\/prizes\/prize-renewable-energy-islands-responsible-island_en\u0022\u003ERESponsible Island\u003C\/a\u003E competition rewarding holistic achievements in local renewable energy initiatives.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EAccording to Halfdan Abrahamsen, Media and Information Manager at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/aeroe-energylab\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u00c6r\u00f8 EnergyLab\u003C\/a\u003E, the island now regularly generates more energy with its wind farms than it uses \u2013 about 125% to 140% annually. District heating plants integrated with warm water storage rely on solar energy, heat pumps, biomass and biofuels to take care of about 70% of the island\u2019s heating needs.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EOn smaller and more isolated islands, being \u2018off the grid\u2019 may seem like a busy urban dweller\u2019s dream vacation, but for inhabitants it means energy isolation leading to challenges creating potable water. These islands can now take some cues from the second smallest of the Canary Islands, El Hierro, which joined \u00c6r\u00f8 as another RESponsible Island prize winner.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EDesalination and water distribution accounts for more than 40% of El Hierro\u2019s annual energy demand and was really the impetus for the wind-pumped hydroelectric plant developed in the context of the\u0026amp;nbsp;\u0026amp;nbsp;100% RES-EL HIERRO project.\r\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003ESantiago Gonz\u00e1lez, Chief Executive Officer of Gorona del Viento El Hierro\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Desalination and water distribution accounts for more than 40% of El Hierro\u2019s annual energy demand and was really the impetus for the wind-pumped hydroelectric plant developed in the context of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.100-percent.org\/el-hierro-canary-islands\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E100%RES-EL HIERRO\u003C\/a\u003E project,\u2019 explained Santiago Gonz\u00e1lez, Chief Executive Officer of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.goronadelviento.es\/en\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGorona del Viento El Hierro\u003C\/a\u003E, the company that runs, operates and maintains the power station.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen the winds are blowing, they turn the turbine to generate electricity. Surplus wind power is used to pump the water from a lower reservoir to a higher elevation, ready to work with gravity to generate electricity even when the winds cease to blow. The plant will be able to cover up to 70% of the annual energy demand of the island and has even supplied 100% for up to 25 consecutive days!\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EHybrid technologies like these that find ways to make \u2018deposits\u2019 in times of excess boost the potential of intermittent RES. The tiny Greek island of Tilos has exploited this potential in a pioneering hybrid power station consisting of a wind turbine, a small photovoltaic (PV) park and a battery storage system, the first of its kind in Greece and among the first in Europe. These accomplishments and more have won it three European awards and a RESponsible Island prize.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EAccording to Eustathios Kontos, General Secretary of the Island of Tilos, prior to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.tiloshorizon.eu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETILOS\u003C\/a\u003E project, which began in 2015, there were only a handful of residential PV installations. A few years later, the island boasts a fully functioning hybrid power station that can supply around 50% to 60% of needed energy even during a mild wind year and, during some winter months, has exported excess clean energy to neighbouring islands.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore than energy production\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThere\u2019s more than one way to support a clean energy transition and the islands are powering ahead with a multifaceted approach.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003E\u2018TILOS\u2019 success inspired us to expand the penetration of clean energy production, energy saving measures and intelligent energy management in areas including public lighting and management of the water network.\r\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EEustathios Kontos, General Secretary of the Island of Tilos \u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018TILOS\u2019 success inspired us to expand the penetration of clean energy production, energy saving measures and intelligent energy management in areas including public lighting and management of the water network. We also added a conventional and a PV-based electric vehicle (EV) charging station. Carbon neutrality is our ultimate aim in the near future,\u2019 added Kontos.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003ETransportation is a major contributor to climate-changing emissions and islands are moving forward in this area too. \u00c6r\u00f8 is encouraging EVs and has cut bus emissions by 40% with solar panels and gas-to-liquid fuel. Free bus rides means the green buses now transport five times as many people, significantly reducing car-related pollution and the expenses of road maintenance and expansion.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EAnd you won\u2019t hear \u2013 or smell \u2013 Ellen on the Danish seas. \u00c6r\u00f8\u2019s fully electric ferry Ellen is the world\u2019s largest, developed within the context of the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/e-ferryproject.eu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EE-ferry\u003C\/a\u003E project.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding sustainability takes a village\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003ECommunity involvement is a recognised prerequisite for long-term success, and while this holds true everywhere, on small islands it is even more critical.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003ECooperatives are a Danish tradition, from the first cooperatively owned dairy created by Danish farmers in 1882 to the oldest operating wind turbine in the world (43 years and counting!) developed by Danish teachers.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EWhen you hook up to one of our three district heating plants, you must buy a share by default. In our experience, local ownership results in local acceptance and local enthusiasm. \u201cNot in my backyard\u201d is a phrase known to anyone who has tried to erect a wind turbine or build a solar plant \u2013 local ownership lubricates the gears of change.\r\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EHalfdan Abrahamsen, Media and Information Manager at \u00c6r\u00f8 EnergyLab\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00c6r\u00f8\u2019s first community-owned wind farm was established in 1985 and its wind farms continue to be community-owned. Similarly, the district heating plants are private companies that are cooperatively owned. Abrahamsen noted: \u2018When you hook up to one of our three district heating plants, you must buy a share by default. In our experience, local ownership results in local acceptance and local enthusiasm. \u201cNot in my backyard\u201d is a phrase known to anyone who has tried to erect a wind turbine or build a solar plant \u2013 local ownership lubricates the gears of change.\u2019\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EGonz\u00e1lez agreed: \u2018Ultimately, changes that benefit citizens foster acceptance and support. Our charging points for cars are free and a portion of savings from the wind-pumped hydroelectric facility are passed on to islanders as subsidies to purchase EVs or home PV systems.\u2019\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe rich tradition of Tilos\u2019 inhabitants in progressive innovation has played a significant role in the island\u2019s successful transformation. Tilos is not alone: survey of 15 Aegean islands carried out by the project showed that nearly 75% of islanders supported transition to an energy future in line with the Tilos model.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPlanning for success\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EDeciding on what to implement and how is not as simple as the successes featured here might make it seem. Because future scenarios are difficult to explore and strategies are hard to align, the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/insulae-h2020.eu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EINSULAE\u003C\/a\u003E project has developed a novel investment planning tool for islands, offered as a software-as-a-service.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018The investment planning tool gives robust insights from scenarios with sustainable options tailored to an individual island and with a step-by-step long-term pathway,\u2019 said Jeanne Fauquet, product manager at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.artelys.com\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EArtelys\u003C\/a\u003E. It is also a communication tool that helps share visions of the future with a larger audience to get everyone on the same page.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EThe NESOI European Islands Facility provides professional on-site technical assistance to local authorities and private bodies, including activities such as energy analyses, business and financial modelling, definition of tender procedures, etc. The idea is to empower local island entities through capacity building and networking.\r\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EAndrea Martinez, deputy managing director at Sinloc and NESOI project coordinator\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003ESo how do the islands turn their action plans into actions? \u2018The \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nesoi.eu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENESOI\u003C\/a\u003E European Islands Facility provides professional onsite technical assistance to local authorities and private bodies, such as energy analyses, business and financial modelling, definition of tender procedures, etc. The idea is to empower local island entities through capacity building and networking,\u2019 explained Andrea Martinez, deputy managing director at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sinloc.com\/en\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESinloc \u003C\/a\u003Eand NESOI project coordinator.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003ENESOI support is open to all of Europe\u2019s 2,400 inhabited islands and the team is ready to invest a total of \u20ac6.2 million. Each beneficiary will receive a maximum grant amount of \u20ac60,000 and an additional \u20ac60,000 worth of technical assistance provided onsite by the NESOI team of experts.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Facility\u2019s first open call in October 2020 resulted in approval of 28 projects expected to eliminate around 300 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The second funding call will be launched in October 2021.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003ENESOI is ensuring the long-term viability of projects by selecting those that can maintain positive profitability with medium- to low-risk investments, but projects at all levels of maturity can apply for funding. Interested parties can check out the NESOI website and subscribe to the NESOI \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nesoi.eu\/newsletter\/nesoi-newsletter\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Enewsletter\u003C\/a\u003E for updates.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EGreen credentials\u201d enhance the islands for citizens and visitors, and local economies and their populations are revitalised, motivating further action\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003ELeon Nielsen of CIRCE and INSULAE project manager\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EMartinez added: \u2018Perhaps the most impressive outcome of the NESOI project was that, after the success of the first call, our initial projected investment mobilisation of \u20ac100\u0026nbsp;million has increased almost 10-fold, reaching a new projection close to \u20ac1\u0026nbsp;billion.\u2019\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGaining momentum and setting the pace\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EEurope\u2019s clean energy transition is gaining momentum, and islands are at the forefront of this movement. Leon Nielsen of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fcirce.es\/en\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECIRCE\u003C\/a\u003E, and INSULAE project manager, put it in a global context: \u2018Infrastructure improvements and societal changes tend to happen together, creating a positive feedback loop \u2013 societies benefit from maintaining ecosystems, \u201cgreen credentials\u201d enhance the islands for citizens and visitors, and local economies and their populations are revitalised, motivating further action \u2013 hopefully on the mainland as well since energy is a global problem requiring global action.\u2019\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EApproximately 11,000 islands on our planet have permanent inhabitants and Europe\u2019s 2,400 islands are home to 16 million people. Their physical separation from the mainland creates significant challenges when it comes to a steady supply of things the rest of us often take for granted \u2013 from potable water and the energy to power our homes and businesses.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research in this article was funded by the EU. If you liked this article, please consider sharing it on social media.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-bg-bluelightest tw-p-12 tw-my-12 tw--mx-16\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3 class=\u0022tw-font-sans tw-font-bold tw-text-blue tw-uppercase tw-text-lg tw-mb-8\u0022\u003EIslands are taking on the decarbonisation challenge\u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-inline-block tw-w-1\/6 tw-h-1 tw-bg-blue tw-mb-8\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EIslands are small and their energy systems are isolated, creating significant challenges both practical and financial. But their abundance of renewable energy sources (RES) provides an opportunity to make a rapid and complete transformation to clean energy \u2013 and set an example for other islands and the mainland in the process.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe European Parliament and the European Commission set up the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.euislands.eu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EClean energy for EU islands secretariat\u003C\/a\u003E in 2018, to help citizens, local authorities, businesses and academic institutions work together to advance the clean energy transition on their island.\u0026nbsp;The secretariat can help islands explore options, shape sustainable and cost-effective solutions, and turn them into actions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.euislands.eu\/\u0022\u003EClean energy for EU islands secretariat\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003C\/textarea\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv id=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 class=\u0022ecl-help-block description\u0022\u003E\n Please copy the above code and embed it onto your website to republish.\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cinput autocomplete=\u0022off\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022form-tyxqbic2rpzihbyd-asfkmru7b4yjwui8shbmxn5gsi\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_build_id\u0022 value=\u0022form-tyXQBIc2rpZiHByd_aSfKmRU7B4Yjwui8shBMXN5gsI\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003Cinput data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_id\u0022 value=\u0022modal_form_example_modal_form\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003C\/form\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E","dialogOptions":{"width":"800","modal":true,"title":"Republish this content"}}]