Transforming Crete’s Sustainable Energy Landscape: A Modular Energy Island Approach

Abstract

The present paper investigates the conceptual design of a floating offshore renewable energy system—an energy island—developed to provide a sustainable long-term solution to support and expedite the transition toward renewable energy sources (RESs) as a case study in Crete Island, Greece. The optimal site selection in Crete’s coastal waters was detected by carefully evaluating the potential for wind, solar, and wave energy alongside environmental and social considerations. Later, the current electricity demand was analyzed, leading to the identification of suitable technologies for renewable energy harvesting and the conceptualization of a floating structure. The findings of this research emphasize the viability of integrating diverse energy sources as a pivotal step for Crete Island to advance toward energy independence and environmental sustainability. Crete’s abundant wind and solar resources underscore its capacity to host innovative projects, warranting further exploration into energy surplus storage and export.