REACT

REACT - Renewable Energy for self-sustAinable island CommuniTies

Project description

Islands are highly dependent on mainland energy markets, but the transfer of energy is inefficient and costly. Achieving a secure and reliable supply of energy is a priority. In this context, the EU-funded REACT project will develop the large-scale deployment of renewable energy sources (RES) and storage assets on islands in order to contribute to the decarbonisation of local energy systems. Its overall aim will be to create a holistic cooperative energy management strategy at the community level. Specifically, REACT will deliver a scalable and adaptable cloud-based Information and Communication Technology platform for RES and storage-enabled infrastructures by combining both conventional and renewable systems and enabling synergies between different energy networks and microgrids.

Project Objectives

REACT will demonstrate the potential of large-scale deployment of RES and storage assets on geographical islands to bring economic benefits, contribute to the decarbonisation of local energy systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and improve air quality.To do so, REACT will deliver a scalable and adaptable cloud-based ICT platform for RES and storage enabled infrastructures, supporting a holistic cooperative energy management strategy at the community level. REACT will combine an optimal control of community owned energy assets, both conventional and renewable, with cooperative demand response (DR) actions, both explicit and implicit, to maximally exploit the flexibility of energy demand. To achieve this, REACT will leverage on energy production and consumption modelling, grid operation fault detection and diagnostics, multi-carrier supply optimization and optimal energy dispatching, while enabling synergies between different energy networks and micro-grids of island. REACT will deliver effective business models making a synergy of grid- and community-centric approaches for sustainable RES solutions, increased renewable energy exploitation, integrated and digitalised smart grids, and DR programs. Moreover, REACT will provide a solution that is fully compliant with contemporary regulatory and legal aspects, while respecting the data security and applying suitable data protection measures. REACT will target to enhance the overall energy security of geographical island with an inherent possibility for scale-up and deliver at least 10% energy savings, energy costs savings and GHG emission reduction both by 60%, and at least 50% increase in RES generation and similar reduction in fossil fuel consumption. REACT solution will be validated in 3 demo islands, while replication plans will be made for 5 other “follower” islands across EU.

Key information:

Start date: January 2019
End date: June 2023
Source of funding: EU Horizon 2020  
EU / H2020 Grant Agreement No.: 824395
https://react2020.eu/

People involved