Enables more efficient utilization of renewable sources, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and improving the reliability of power generation

Abstract

GranCanaria,asan island,operateswithinan isolatedenergysystem(IES),making itentirelydependenton itsowngenerationcapacity.Currently, itselectricityproduction iscomposedof approximately19%renewablesources (mainlywindandsolar)and81%fromfossil fuel–based thermal powerplants.Thisconfiguration, largelydependent onagingandpartiallyobsolete infrastructure, requiresurgentmodernizationtoprevent theriskofan“EnergyZero”scenario—atotalsupplydisruptionduetosystemfailure.Amajorsteptowardthistransitionistheplanned integrationof theChira-SoriaPumpedHydroelectricEnergyStoragePlant intoGranCanaria’selectrical system.The facility, stabilizedhydraulically throughaseawaterdesalinationsystem, enableslarge-scaleenergystoragebypumpingwater toahigh-altitudereservoir, tobereleasedandturbinedwhenneeded.Thisstudyanalyzestheimplicationsof incorporatingtheChira-Soria plant into the island’senergynetwork, evaluating itspotential for integratedoperationwithin theexistinggenerationstructureand itscontribution toenhancingsystemreliability, renewable integration,andsustainability.