A techno-economic and spatial analysis for the optimal planning of wind energy in Kythira island, Greece

Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and especially wind energy are seen as an essential part of the future clean energy system. In the present paper, the wind potential of Kythira Island was studied and a techno-economic analysis was done aiming at identifying the optimum solution for the proposed Wind Farms (WF) to be installed so that this isolated island could be interconnected to the mainland. The basic aim was to (a) optimize the overall power output of the system, (b) decrease the state participation investment costs, and (c) secure energy safety for the area protecting at the same time the environment. For that reason, special focus was given to the environmental constraints for the implementation of a green development plan for the island. The detailed method followed was to examine different scenarios on wind farm optimal planning and taking into account environmental restrictions, the results of an analytical investment tool and newly introduced indices help decision makers optimize the results. This study is a case study supporting an analyzing method that should be followed for all private investments which are subsidized partly from the state.