The pilot Islands

The Smart Islands Energy Systems (SMILE) project will implement three large-scale pilot projects in different regions of Europe with similar topographic characteristics but different policies, challenges, regulations and energy markets. This enables the project to develop new innovations in different environments, thereby allowing an optimal adoption towards market readiness.

The pilot islands share topographic characteristics but have different policies, challenges, regulations and energy markets.

Madeira, Portugal

Madeira is a total energy island which means that it is not connected to any other landmass electrically. All energy consumed on the island must therefore be generated on the island itself.

Orkney Islands, United Kingdom

The Orkney Islands are in a unique position having a high penetration of renewable generation, equivalent to more than 100% of electricity demand, as well as an operational smart grid that is connected to the mainland network.

Samsø, Denmark

In 1997, Samsø won a government competition to become a model renewable energy community. As a result, 100% of its electricity today comes from offshore and onshore wind power and biomass.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 731249.

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