2024/12/17 by Ayobami Solomon Oyewo, Alejandro Kunkar, Rasul Satymov +1 · 1 voice · 2 citations
Energy · Engineering · #Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems #Integrated Energy Systems Optimization #Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
paper · doi:10.1016/j.rser.2024.115189
openalex publication_date 2024/12/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/17
Energy solutions are rapidly needed to mitigate the problems of climate change and the high dependence on expensive imported petroleum products , which have continued to dampen Caribbean competitiveness and potential growth. This research comprehensively analyses and compares energy pathways with scenarios that contextualise the eventualities and intricacies of carbon-intensive and carbon-neutral pathway options for the Caribbean using a proven techno-economic modelling tool, the LUT Energy System Transition Model. Due to the Caribbean's geographic limitation, offshore renewable technology's role is researched in a fully integrated energy system . The results show a solar energy momentum driven by excellent resource conditions and fast-improving economic attractiveness. The electricity generation mix is led by solar photovoltaics (67–90%) and wind power (6–30%), complemented by hydropower, bioenergy , and geothermal energy . Offshore floating solar photovoltaics could supply reliable and stable energy, thus fostering a sustainable blue economy. The Caribbean's future energy system is best characterised as a Solar-to-X Economy. Storage, sector coupling, and power-to-heat, carbon dioxide , water, fuels, and mobility solutions provide flexibility in the renewable pathways. Notably, renewable electricity and green e-hydrogen are the main precursors in Power-to-X processes. The adoption of electric vehicles spurs a cost-competitive transition in the road transport segment, and the vehicle-to-grid strategy provides additional flexibility in the system. The renewables pathways are 7–10% lower in costs than alternatives and could create new industry opportunities, jobs, and investments. This research advances the international perspective on sustainable energy transition for land-limited archipelago regions.