Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

This paper examines a pathway for small islands to replace fossil fuels by renewable sources, such as wind and solar, up to 100% to economically achieve energy security and satisfy The Paris Agreement to limit temperature rise as close as possible to 1.5 °C, in an economically beneficial manner. Using Jamaica, as an example, it is shown that the introduction of intermittent renewable energy to an island grid, which is electrically isolated, relying totally on itself for backup, causes serious frequency fluctuations and load shedding. Simulations show that a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) using Li-ion batteries can be employed to economically overcome these problems. It is also noted that the cost of batteries with longer discharge capacity is on the decline and their use is expected to be become economical in about 10 years. Looking at the reported pathway to satisfy The Paris Agreement, a 2-phase pathway is suggested. In the Phase 1 (2020–2030) 30% integration of intermittent renewables with BESS backup can be implemented in a manner that is not economically burdensome whilst the remaining fossil fuel system can provide the firm energy needed. In Phase 2 (2030–2055), more renewables can be implemented, provided sufficient long term storage, including batteries, can be added to provide firm energy. By 2030 the cost of such storage is expected to fall resulting in increased deployment without a financial burden to the islands. Ideally, during the period 2020 to 2055, there should be no new additions of fossil fuel plants and retiring plants should be replaced by renewable energy plants; although an account is necessary for plants already in the planning and development stages. The leeway period of 2020–2030 should be used for the preparation and planning of adding up to 100% renewables in all sectors.

Located in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is among the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), entirely reliant on coal, petroleum and some locally available renewable energy sources to satisfy energy needs. 22.7% of the electricity is generated by biomass, solar, landfill gas and hydro and the remaining by fossil fuels. Even with continual oil price volatilities and specific economic, social and environmental vulnerabilities compared to continental areas, Mauritius has successfully provided 100% electricity to all its residents. However, with a growth in population and economy, Mauritius faces a crucial challenge to supply more electrical power to all requiring sectors. Renewable energy appears to be the most effective solution to cater for the increase in electricity demand but there are still huge challenges to overcome for massive deployment of more renewable energy. In this context, this paper reviews the current electricity industry and fuel sources for electricity production in Mauritius. It also describes future energy policies for more renewable energy integration within the energy mix by 2025.

In a world constrained by climate change, it is of utmost relevance that energy technologies offer a low level of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at a comparatively low cost level. A literature overview is presented, which shows that the common view of PV systems contradicts its position as an economically viable key solution in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, most of the found research is outdated and instead of being a region-oriented specific analysis, most of the research has focused on general cost level calculations. A simple methodology is introduced for estimating the climate change mitigation relevance of PV systems by calculating the avoided GHG emissions for specific representative PV applications in respective regions. The potential of GHG mitigation by PV systems is combined with the related economics based on discounted cash flow calculus. PV applications ranging from small PV systems in rural off-grid regions up to large scale PV power plants and commercial PV rooftop systems show financial benefits for avoided GHG emissions. Even in Germany, the costs of avoiding GHG emissions using residential rooftop systems are 17–70€/tCO2eq depending on the applied assumptions. These costs are distinctly lower than the 80€/tCO2eq threshold for the cost of climate change impacts. PV power plants in Germany show financial benefits of 19–93€/tCO2eq for avoiding GHG emissions. Summing up, PV systems are a highly attractive climate change mitigation option.