The eighth island of the Canary Islands is already smart
It aims to integrate renewable energy into the electricity grid
The G.R.A.C.I.O.S.A project is 100% self-sustainable.
La Graciosa is the eighth smart island of the Canary Islands since June 2018. With a surface area of 29 km2, this island will try to demonstrate to the world that not only it is 100% self-sufficient, but that it can be 100% smart. How? Thanks to the G.R.A.C.I.O.S.A. project (Renewable Generation with Smart Storage and Consumption for the Operation of Distribution Grids with Self-Consumption Systems)
The aim of this project is to provide a solution to the challenges associated with the growth of renewable energy in the distribution grid of the Canary Islands, particularly as regards photovoltaic energy. Therefore, a smart grid started to be implemented in the island in 2016, which will integrate distributed generation obtained through photovoltaic power panels with batteries and ultra-capacitors, which will help manage this fluctuating energy.
A wide range of technologies, including PLC communications (Power Line Communications), monitoring and control systems or low and medium-voltage automated systems, will allow us to efficiently integrate photovoltaic energy in conventional electricity grids. Jacob Rodríguez, Head of Grid Technology Innovation Projects at e-distribución
stated that "the aim of the project is to develop everything we need for the smart management and automation of the distribution grid managed by e-distribución in this island"
In addition, the project also aims to ensure that the three agents of the system (consumer, retailer and distributor) play an active role in the efficiency of the system, but also to increase this efficiency, improving the reliability of the energy supply, diversifying the sources of energy and achieving a more efficient use to reduce costs.
The project, led by Enel, has a 2.4 million euro budget, out of which45% are funded by the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), which is part of Ministry of the Economy and Competitiveness.
Win Inertia, a company specialising in energy storage solutions, participates in G.R.A.C.I.O.S.A., in collaboration with the Industrial Cooperation and Research Association of Andalusia (AICIA), the Research Foundation of the University of Seville (FIUS), the Pontifical University of Comillas, the University of La Laguna and the Foundation for Information Technology Development Research of Andalusia (FIDETIA).