The Canary Islands are an example for renewables, since a large part of the electricity demand is generated by clean energy. A few months ago, Gran Canaria began the second phase of a geothermal study of the island and another to recharge electric vehicles.
Do you want to know more about this renewable energy project?
Second stage
The Insular Council of Energy in the Canary Islands has reported on the management of 2,1 million euros for this year 2018. The investigation began a few months ago by a research team from the Instituto Vulcanológico de las Canarias. The research deals with the geothermal analysis of the island.
The other investigation deals with the creation of infrastructures for the recharging of electric vehicles.
The Island Council has announced that it will allocate 21 million euros to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, increasing research on it in the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Technological Institute of the Canary Islands. All this budget has the objective of complying with the guidelines, principles and values of the Ecoisla project.
The Insular Energy Council will have 2,1 of the 21 million euros budgeted with which it will be able to further develop technology about renewables and promote clean energy. By increasing energy efficiency and renewable energies, the Canary Islands will increasingly join the energy transition in pursuit of a decarbonized world. In addition, they will reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere to contribute to the fight against climate change and global warming.
Energy efficiency and renewables
Energy efficiency in buildings will be improved to decrease energy consumption (light sensors, LED bulbs, etc.) and the amount of renewable energy to be produced will increase. Among other initiatives that the Cabildo has is to organize awareness workshops for Primary and Secondary schoolchildren, courses and conferences aimed at citizens and training activities for municipal technicians.
Training and information is of vital importance if we want acceptance and participation by citizens. A person aware of environmental problems will bet on renewable energy and energy efficiency before one who does not understand the seriousness of the consequences of the indiscriminate use of fossil fuels.
The project is related to research on the socio-economic impact of the implementation of renewable energies and to develop the second phase of the research to find out the geothermal potential of the Canary Islands. Geothermal energy It could be used for the air conditioning of buildings and the generation of electrical energy in boilers.
The Cabildo de Gran Canarias informs that:
«The promotion of renewable energies will have a prominent section with the installation of photovoltaic plants in Infecar, the Juan Grande Ecopark, the garage and the building of the Cabildo de Pérez Galdós number 53, as well as financial aid for individuals and SMEs to implement energy renewable in their homes and businesses.
Electric vehicle recharges
To increase the fleet of electric vehicles in a city, it is not enough to increase the number of vehicles, but to expand the infrastructures that help to recharge them. Like gas stations, places are needed to recharge the batteries of electric vehicles. To implement this insular network for recharging electric vehicles, they have allocated 450.000 euros. In addition, it will be used to hire an engineer in each of the municipalities that signed the Covenant of Mayors for the preparation of the Action Plan for Sustainable Climate and Energy, as well as the creation of an advisory center for the implementation of clean energy and energy efficiency.
Smart cities are the future of cities and, therefore, the bulk of the 21 million will be allocated to the project «Gran Canaria Smart Island». This project will receive 10 of the 21 million to increase high technology that facilitates the management of resources that improve mobility, security, the environment and relations between public bodies and citizens. In addition, Gran Canaria has thought about tourism and also aims to publicize the offer for visitors and the start-up of smart tourist offices.