Greek island of Astypalea to go totally green with help from solar and Volkswagen

This is one of those articles/releases that I flag for post just because I found it interesting. Volkswagen is working with the Greek authorities to develop the resources to turn Islands and island nations into self-sustainers with green technology. I though something like this would happen in the US when Puerto Rico was pretty much wiped out in a recent storm. I know Tesla donated a few solar arrays and battery back-up equipment to Puerto Rico but it was nothing like this. Considering that Puerto Rico is part of the US, I expected more but our then President 45 thought throwing paper towels at people was a better idea. He didn't know, or care for that matter, that Puerto Rico is under US governance (a territory) and there has been talk of statehood many times through the years, but I digress. I admit it. I wanted to be able to brag about how we were turning things around in Puerto Rico in a sustainably green manner like Volkswagen is doing on the Greek island of Astypalea. This is a joint project for future energy needs. Currently, the folks that inhabit Astypalea get the majority of their electricity and power from diesel generators. The new plan will give the island a solar array with battery storage units that will deliver about 60% of their power needs by 2023. A 100% conversion to green energy (mostly solar) will happen after that. All vehicles will switch to electric power including motor scooters. The Greek government expects at least a 25% savings over current systems. In effect, VW and Greek Authorities are testing systems and equipment that can be utilized all over the world and fairly quickly. For more info, check out the media release after the "read more" jump. I'll either add another post or update this one as the test results come in and yes that is a new VW iD4 that was drafted for police duty.

Source: Volkswagen - Media release, pics, and video (from VW Greece) after the "read more" jump 

Media Release:
Green light for the electric island

The Greek island of Astypalea is set to become an electric island. This was agreed on by Volkswagen and the Greek government. Now, Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis have handed over the first electric cars.

The electrification of Astypalea is underway. This is evident at the airport: Located right in front of the small arrivals building is a brand-new charging station for electric cars. It bears the slogan “Smart & Sustainable Island”, a sign indicates that the parking spaces are for electric cars only. These are the beginnings of a transformation that will fundamentally change Astypalea in the coming years. The long-term goal is a flagship island for sustainable mobility and green energy.

To mark the official start of the transformation, Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the island. In the main village of Chora, Diess presented the local police force with their new service vehicle: The Volkswagen ID.401 is the first electric police car in Greece. And the port police, airport authorities and island administration are now also running on electricity.

The fleet includes electric cars and two SEAT MÓ02 eScooters. These are the first electric vehicles on Astypalea, with many more set to follow. Sales to private and business customers will start at the end of June. The next step will be the new mobility services: Both the fully electric car-sharing service and ride-sharing service are currently under development.

Volkswagen CEO Diess emphasised the significance of the project far beyond Greece: “Astypalea will be a future lab for decarbonization in Europe. We will be researching in real time what motivates people to switch to e-mobility and which incentives are needed to transition to a sustainable lifestyle. The learnings will help to accelerate the transformation towards sustainable mobility and green energy in Greece. Worldwide, climate protection is gaining enormous traction. Volkswagen has been driving this change, offering the full range of sustainable mobility – from cars, to charging to sustainable energy solutions. Astypalea can become a blue print for a rapid transformation, fostered by the close collaboration of governments and businesses.”

Energy revolution to solar power

The transformation also includes an energy revolution to electricity generated renewably. Astypalea’s power is currently supplied almost exclusively by diesel generators, which produce almost 5,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year. During the visit, the Greek government announced details of the new energy system. In future, power will predominantly come from solar energy. As an initial step, a solar field with an output of 3 megawatts will be installed by 2023. This will supply 100 percent of the electric cars and up to 60 percent of the whole island with green energy.

The new energy system also includes a back-up battery with a storage capacity of 7 megawatt hours (MWh), which will enable the network to be balanced and the solar energy to be used optimally. In step two, the proportion of renewable energy will be extended further by 2026, and will cover more than 80 percent of electricity requirements in future. The new energy system will not only reduce CO2 emissions, it is also expected to reduce energy costs. The Greek government envisages a potential saving of more than 25 percent.

Testing lab for transformation

The project is significant far beyond Greece. Astypalea can serve as a unique testing ground: The opportunities and challenges that governments around the world are confronted with as the economy and society transforms can be observed here as if in time lapse. To understand these factors better, scientists will be involved in the project.

Experts from the University of Strathclyde (Scotland) and the University of the Aegean (Greece) will regularly consult the people on Astypalea and gather their feedback on the changes. The study aims to help systematically incorporate the perspective of the island community and gain a fundamental understanding of the transformation process. The results will then be made available to the public.