ENVIRONMENT

MUNICIPALITIES: 124 PRACTICES


TOPIC:

Initiative

CHALKI "GREEN - SMART" ISLAND

CHALKI  "GREEN - SMART" ISLAND
SUBMITTED FROM:

ΔΗΜΟΣ ΧΑΛΚΗΣ



Objective Action

The aim of the above initiative is the energy autonomy and the decarbonization of the island of Chalki. The production of "green" energy aims to reduce the cost of electricity for households, businesses and the Municipality and at the same time we achieve the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Our efforts are not just about public image, but an important effort to save the planet for future generations.

 

Target Audience

Our goal is the energy autonomy of the island of Chalki, through the production of "green" energy and the parallel savings in the cost of electricity for households, and the Municipality, through the mobilization of all residents. The vehicle that will help us achieve the above energy transition of our island is the Energy Community of Chalki "Chalkion". The Chalki Energy Community "Chalkion", the first Energy Community in the Dodecanese, was founded on May 19, 2021 based in Halki. It currently has 160 members, natural and legal persons, including the Municipality of Chalki, local associations, as well as local businesses of small and medium size and permanent residents of our island. Our immediate goal is to move forward and integrate the whole of Halki society into our Energy Community.

 

Duration

The duration of the above initiative was two years.


Description

The Municipality of Chalki in October 2020 officially submitted the Clean Energy Transition Agenda, and officially started its transition to clean energy with the support of the Secretariat of the European Commission "Clean Energy for the islands of the EU. Our transition will not be possible without adapting our infrastructure to the needs of the future energy system. Energy, transport and telecommunications infrastructure are increasingly interconnected. The fair transition of our energy system to clean, renewable energy sources and in general the transition to climate neutrality are the big bet of our Municipality. The Plan for our Energy Transition is the main pillar of our energy policy for the coming years and will serve as a roadmap for the Long-Term Carbonization Strategy of the Island of Chalki. We believe that the transition of the islands to Renewable Energy Sources is a social issue. It requires the active participation of the inhabitants of the islands and the assistance of the Local Self-Government Organizations, mainly in administrative and organizational context. The island of Halki has the right conditions to turn to the production of green energy from RES, to meet the needs of the island's electricity, the carbonization of maritime transport and road transport, thus significantly reducing the environmental footprint. In the modern social and economic environment, the promotion of "green" energy and "smart" solutions are factors in improving entrepreneurship and strengthening the tourism product, contributing to the achievement of energy efficiency and the fight against energy poverty. All of the above can be implemented in the framework of initiatives, either environmental or social, promoting economic development through the digitization and energy transition of the islands. The aim is to highlight some clean energy applications and combine them with new cutting-edge technologies. For example, the use of smart solutions for faster and more balanced operation of the electricity network offers quality and balancing of network needs in real time. Electricity, with the parallel creation of charging stations and the elimination of heat engines from our island, will effectively contribute to reducing the climate footprint of the transport sector. The next generation of telecommunications with the spearhead of the development of the 5G network, high speeds, minimal response delays, as well as the development of the Internet of Things (IoT), is going to revolutionize, leading to the combination of smart energy autonomous devices and modernization of services received by the inhabitants of the island of Halki, proving in practice that progress is decentralized and comprehensive across the country. All of the above, independently and in combination, cultivate a framework of energy democracy by making citizens active participants in energy production and consumption. Projects of this type are vital for the promotion of the "green economy" both at the level of local communities, and more broadly at the National and Union framework, by developing and improving the respective technologies. In the context of the above objectives, all stakeholders in the midst of signing a Memorandum of Cooperation as the first island participating in the GR Eco islands program, we proceeded with the implementation of the project "Chalki, Green - Smart Island", which includes:

The installation and operation of a 1Mw Photovoltaic Park for the production of "green" energy, which will cover the energy needs of the residents and businesses of Chalki Island. Implementing, licensing, and managing body is the Chalki Energy Community "Chalkion". The supply of  electric vehicles. The Municipality of Chalki has started the replacement of the Municipal Fleet with electric vehicles. The installation of chargers for the recharging of electric vehicles etc. The simultaneous integration of "smart" public lighting systems. The development of innovative telecommunications services and technological applications.


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Impact on Society

The results of the above action have been estimated as follows: € 260,000.00 per year will be saved for the residents and businesses of the island through the virtual energy mettering.



Initiative Location

The place of action of the above initiative is the Municipality of Chalki Island.


Working with Organization

The cooperation of the Energy Community of Halki and our Municipality with the following bodies was the important factor for achieving the above goals.

Under the auspices of the French Embassy in Athens, the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the South Aegean Region, the Public Electricity Company SA, the Siggelidis Group, the Company AKUO ENERGY GREECE SA, the Company OMEXON SA, the Company VODΟFONE PANAFON, The ALD Automotive Company.


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Workers Participation

The participation of volunteers and employees of the Municipality of Chalki was crucial. With a common vision and goal, our Energy Transition and the decarbonization of our island, we all worked together perfectly to implement the above project.


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Benefits for Οrganization

The results of the above action and the benefits for our institution have been estimated as follows: € 85,000.00 per year will be saved for the Municipality of Chalki through the virtual energy mettering. At the same time we will reduce with 2000 tons of carbon dioxide (co2) that we release into the atmosphere and we will save € 120,000.00 per year due to the non-emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.




Connection with Global Goals






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