When we see an electric car connected to a grid we rightly assume it is sipping energy. Well that was generally the case until the Porto Santo Island energy experiment. Revolutionary things are happening in an isolated part of the Madeira archipelago in the Atlantic west of Europe and Africa. That is because there has to be a better way to make 95% of electricity than with diesel generators.
The Porto Santo Island Energy Dilemma
Porto Santo Island is an achingly lovely home for some 6,000 residents. In the summer months, tourists flock to the golden beaches and a Steve Ballesteros golfing destination. This strains the island’s energy resources while being vital for its economy.
The Porto Santo Island energy mix includes two small wind farms delivering the remaining 5%. However the island has thus far not captured the real potential in the sun and wind because of a lack of storage. Renault has been assisting with used electric car batteries since 2018. Now it seems electric cars will lend a hand to help with peak load.
Discover Vehicle to Grid Technology
Regional Government Joins Hands with Renault Expertise
The regional government of Madeira, and local electricity supplier EEM have put a fleet of electric cars on the island. These comprise sixteen ZOEs and six Kangoo Z.E.s, backed by a network of 40 charging stations.
The twenty volunteers charge their electric vehicle batteries daily during off-peak periods. Although we are unable to imagine them using all that energy on a sixteen-square-mile island. And then, when night falls with the EV plugged into the grid, they return the unused energy to power homes and tourist resorts during demand peak.
Some experts are already hailing this as a future global trend. Imagine meeting peak demand by simply not using our electric cars, as the Porto Santo Island energy experiment hopes we could.
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Preview Image: Partial View of Porto Santo Beach
Video Share Link: https://youtu.be/LpczpQ9y3VA
