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The importance of renewable energy exploitation reduces the energy dependence on fossil fuels. Despite technological progress, in several remote areas and small islands the energy production is nowadays dominated by the utilization of fossil fuels. With new, increasingly stringent laws on polluting emissions and the need to lower production costs, it is necessary to exploit as many renewable sources as possible. In order to implement these considerations, it was decided to study renewable energy production. The study was carried out by estimating the energy production on a monthly and annual basis considering a mix of three plants, namely marine, solar, and wind. Simulations on wave production were carried out on a new device developed by the research team at the University of Palermo. In order to be able to perform these simulations, input climate data are required. These data are normally available in literature or obtainable by using specific GIS tools. As criterium, the Levelized Cost of Energy, normally applied to a single technology, is extended to the entire energy mix. Minimizing this parameter, the best solution is individuated, and capable of supplying 50% of the summer electrical load with renewable energy sources. The results carried out from a case study based in aeolian islands show that the solar production reaches 10.2%, the wind production reaches 45.47% and sea wave production reaches 3.04%. In this way, the diesel production decreases to 41.29%. This method can be easily applied for several small islands, estimating for several sites the ability to reduce the energy production from fossil fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power plants supplied by renewables are expanding around the world, increasing the sustainability of the energy sector. In this context, small islands are heavily reliant on fossil fuels. However, this paper shows that the same problem can be found also in small islands belonging to developed countries. To increase the energy sustainability of small islands, the authors assembled a simplified mathematical approach to evaluate the potential electricity production, exploiting the local available energy sources: solar, wind and sea wave. The mathematical model requires few information in input, such as climatic data about the local energy sources and technical features on the selected technologies. Commercial technologies have been chosen for the utilization of solar and wind sources. The authors consider also sea wave, a promising renewable energy source especially for small islands. Since sea wave has not been successfully exploited around the world, the authors suggest an innovative technology, under development at the laboratory of University of Palermo. This innovative device is based on linear generators and floating buoys. The proposed energy mix can be applied to several small islands spread worldwide. With this regard, the paper analyses the Balearic Islands and Fiji, which are two archipelagos, with several differences, if economy and population statistics are considered. A strong energy dependence on fossil fuels affects both the case studies. A preliminary sizing of a renewable energy mix is reported for both archipelagos, using the mathematical model proposed by authors. The environmental benefits are estimated, considering the avoided CO 2 emissions as indicator. An economic analysis is finally performed. Image 1 • Analysis of the energy blend used in the two archipelagos: Balearic Islands and Fiji. • Evidence of strong energy dependence on fossil fuels, independently by local economy. • The proposal of a renewable energy blend based on wind, solar and sea wave sources. • The proposal of an innovative technology for the exploitation of the sea wave source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]