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• Energy efficiency: public lighting bulbs are being replaced by LEDs. Economic operators are given
incentives for any investments in electrical bicycles and heat pumps.

• Recycling of vegetable oil: although the oil can be collected and recycled, residents have not yet
started doing so.

The project is largely aiming to change mindsets, as traditionally the islanders have had little to do
with using renewable energy. This initiative is a good start for further projects in renewable energy
and innovation.
In France, tourists going to Île d’Yeu are encouraged to travel by train, bus and ferry.
Access to Île d’Yeu is mainly provided by ferries of the Régie Départementale des Passages d’Eau de
Vendée. Soft mobility is encouraged through a system of tariffs aiming to reduce use of personal
vehicles (e.g. cars, motorbikes, bicycles).

Website for the maritime transport company: http://www.yeu-continent.fr/

3.5 Straw-fuelled heating systems

In Denmark, energy generation is turning to renewables, even though the country has two coal-fired
power plants. For the time being, most energy is supplied by biomass and waste.
Samsø has four public cooperative district systems, three of which are straw-fuelled heating stations
and one a station combining woodchip and solar
power. One straw-fuelled heating station is a 10-year
project with a unit working at local level. The working
principle is that 3kg of straw produces the equivalent
of 1 litre of oil. Households themselves own the plant
and the remote heating water loop. The system
produces very cheap energy. The straw used comes
from Samsø’s fields, although 20% of the straw is left on
the land to regenerate and protect the soil. To be
optimised, the straw needs 50% humidity. The straw is
stored in the plant and then burnt. The energy heats a Burning straw for heating, Samsø, Denmark
6km water loop which is connected to households. Ash is stored and spread on the fields as a fertilizer.
The initiative is part of Samsø’s fossil-free island philosophy. The broad energy mix, including the
remote heating option combined with earth-heating, solar panels and wind energy is widely spread
and so helps more and more inhabitants mobilise sustainable solutions for energy consumption.

3.6 Introduction of renewable sources of energy in the power
mix

Kythnos’ challenging geography encourages the use of local and renewable sources of energy.
Several generation solutions are present on the island. The introduction of renewable energy sources
into the power mix of Kythnos grid is key, particularly for an autonomous island supplied mainly
by diesel generators. Although the wind and solar potential in these areas is excellent, the strong
seasonal fluctuations in demand as well as the technical restrictions were a problem.
The Aegean Energy and Environment Agency together with the Municipality of Kythnos are currently
promoting the island of Kythnos as a “test-bed” for innovative technologies.
This effort builds on a rich history of cutting-edge technology deployment on the island, namely:
- 1982: Installation of the 1st wind park in Europe (5 x 20kW);

- 1983: Installation of a 100kW photovoltaic (PV) system with battery storage (400kWh);
- 1989: Replacement of the wind turbines (5 x 33kW);
- 1992: Inverter installation for the PV system;
- 1998: Installation of a 500kW Vestas wind turbine;

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