Tesla Proposes Microgrids With Solar and Batteries To Power Greek Islands (electrek.co)

Tesla is proposing ways to modernize the electric grid of Greece's many islands in the Mediterranean sea with microgrids and renewable energy to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. "Several Greek islands are relatively remote and rely heavily on fossil fuels to power their electric grid," notes Electrek. From the report: The Greek Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. George Stathakis, confirmed last week that they have met with Tesla to discuss the deployment of microgrids in Greek islands. They issued the following statement (translated from Greek via Capital.gr): "[...] The extremely interesting thing that emerged from the meeting is that technological progress has now significantly reduced the cost of energy storage. At the same time, successful competitions for new RES investments in Greece, led to an equally significant reduction in the cost of energy production. As a result, the conversion of the islands to RES, apart from being environmentally useful, is now also economically viable. In this context, cooperation with Tesla can prove to be extremely beneficial, as the American company officials have highlighted, showing strong interest in the initiatives promoted by the Ministry for 'smart' and 'energy' islands."

Tesla has reportedly already suggested a pilot project to demonstrate their microgrid system in the region. The government would like it to be on the island of Limnos. The idea is to install a large solar array and combine it with an energy storage facility to store the excess energy during the day and use it at night when the sun is not shining.

Comments

When the sun is not shining

[Red_Forman]

The idea is to install a large solar array and combine it with an energy storage facility to store the excess energy during the day and use it at night when the sun is not shining.

Even if the average IQ of Slashdot readers has gone down in the last decade I think everyone knows what "night" means.

Thanks, dumbass.

Re:Where is the nuclear only crowd?

[Strider-]

In this case, the islands are quite literally islanded micro-grids that are not connected to the outside world. There are no undersea power cables, instead they rely on diesel/fossil fuel generation.

Re:Where is the nuclear only crowd?

[vtcodger]

You understand very little about power apparently. Pumping water uphill is at best about a 30% energy conversion.

Closer to 70%. The New York State Power Authority has been operating pumped storage facilities for power generated in off hours at Niagara Falls for decades. If it didn't make economic sense, they wouldn't be doing it.

BUT the economics only work if you use the facility every day and there are not a lot of sites suitable for pumped storage.in typical terrain.

Google Gilboa-Blenheim for more information on an actual facility that has been in operation for about half a century.