Can solar energy replace fossil fuels on Pitcairn Island?

Pitcairn’s authorities have launched a renewable energy project designed to replace fossil fuels with solar energy. The goal is to replace 95% of the current diesel consumption on Pitcairn Island (75,000 liters per year) with a combination of energy saving and solar electricity through the installation of a hybrid photovoltaic solar energy system.

Are the Pitcairn Islands Green?

Pitcairn Islands, a group of five islands with a total area of 47 km2 and which constitute one of the most remote archipelagos in the world, turn to safer, greener energies that best meet the needs of the population. Pitcairn’s authorities have launched a renewable energy project designed to replace fossil fuels with solar energy.

Are small island energy companies able to develop storage systems?

Small island energy companies do not typically have the research or engineering capability to internally assess the viability of storage projects. Small island power companies find it difficult to raise the required finance for implementation of storage systems. Project costs here can be very significant relative to the scale of the system.

Will near-mainland islands provide a significant export of RES-electricity?

Thus, in future, rather than importing electricity via interconnector, near-mainland islands may provide significant exports of RES-Electricity whilst accessing balancing power from the mainland, perhaps in combination with in-island generation and storage.

Are Islands a better economic case for diesel generation?

Typically, islands represent a better economic case for the application of such technologies, both because of the potential of storage to alleviate the general issue of somewhat oversized generation on islands relative to load, but also because of the high cost of operating diesel generation.

Are Islands a good location for new energy technologies?

However, islands are found to be excellent locations for pilot projects on new energy technologies due to their inherent advantages of small size and vertical integration of local power companies. Furthermore, strong communities imply that it is easier to engage with end consumers when promoting new concepts for electricity supply. 1. Introduction