Day ahead optimization of insular systems considering future interconnection: The case of Ikaria island

The energy transition of remote islands is a major challenge, but it also offers a great chance for sustainable growth in society and the local economy. Recently, Greek islands have shown promise in this area, gradually incorporating Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in their energy mix, as well as Energy Storage Systems (ESS), which are critical especially in non-interconnected power systems or in systems with high RES curtailments. In this context, the need to have an advanced day ahead optimization system emerges, costumed to the specific needs of each island. This paper presents a day-ahead optimal dispatch strategy for Ikaria island, which is currently a non-interconnected Greek island, leading Greece’s journey towards decarbonization and clean energy. Ikaria features a Hybrid Power Plant (HPP) that includes three wind turbines and a special Hydro-Pumped Storage System (HPSS) with three reservoirs. Since, the use of the HPP is still limited by its current, non-optimized, operating mode, the scope of this paper is to propose an optimization framework that leads towards its full exploitation, taking into account both operational factors and CO2 emissions. Moreover, considering the future island interconnection plans, with the neighboring island of Samos, an expansion of the proposed optimization framework is proposed too, aiming to remove operational barriers, boost the RES penetration and optimize the management of island interconnections, ultimately transforming Ikaria into a model insular system of the current transition. • Day ahead optimization of non-interconnected islands. • Study of future island interconnection and energy management. • Hydro-pumped storage system management. • Maximization of renewable energy sources penetration.