Optimum Sizing of PV-CAES Configurations for the Electrification of Remote Consumers

Abstract Acknowledging the increased levels of energy dependence of remote communities, relying almost exclusively on oil imports to cover their electricity needs, an alternative solution is currently proposed. Based on the scenario of natural gas introduction in island grids, development of a sizing algorithm for photovoltaic (PV)-based compressed air energy storage (CAES) systems is undertaken. To this end, a novel dual-mode CAES configuration is studied considering also areas of different quality solar potential, belonging to the broader region of the Aegean Sea. According to the results obtained, such configurations could provide high levels of energy autonomy under minimum natural gas consumption, even in areas of relatively low quality solar potential that in the case of the Aegean Sea corresponds to 1,300 kWh/m 2 .a.