A pioneering hybrid system for power production and storage relying exclusively on renewable energy sources is expected to come on line shortly on the small Dodecanese island of Tilos. When operational, system is expected to render the isle self-sufficient in terms of power.

The system will rely on a medium-sized photo-voltaic park and a small-scale windmill to generate power, in tandem with prototype battery system based on FIAMM NaNiCl2 batteries, in order to harmonize differences between the fluctuating levels of renewable power production and residents’ actual energy usage.

The battery system will support both stand-alone and grid-connected operation, while proving its inter-operability with the rest of microgrid components, such as demand side management aspects and distributed, residential heat storage in the form of domestic hot water, according to the design plan.

Currently, the picturesque but mostly off-the-beaten path isle is connected to the power grid via an underwater cable from the nearby island of Kos, where an diesel-fired power station operates. Frequent power outages were reported on the island, particularly during the peak summer season.

According to the timetable of the program, entitled TILOS, the photo-voltaic park will be completed in October, delays allowing, with the complete micro-grid system to come on line in the next two years.