Replacing Diesel Generators with Hybrid Renewable Power Plants: Giglio Smart Island Project

The use of diesel generators to supply electricity to small remote islands is both costly and environmentally troublesome. On the other hand, small island networks pose peculiar stability and reliability problems when renewable energy sources are added. This paper regards the installation of a hybrid power plant (photovoltaic, plus lithium battery and synchronous condenser) in Giglio island, to replace existing diesel units. This paper discusses the general overview of the project and presents steady-state and dynamic simulations of the proposed energy system. Results evidence the advantages of the proposed Giglio hybrid power plant over existing diesel generators in terms of reduction of both pollution and energy costs, also allowing to fulfill the N-1 network security criterion. At the same time, results underline the need to install a properly sized flywheel in order to assure the stability of supply.