Solar energy research and development program on the exploitation of the solar resource on the Reunion Island and its integration into an electrical power grid

Abstract

Paper presented to the 3rd Southern African Solar Energy Conference, South Africa, 11-13 May, 2015.

Reunion Island stands out by its specific energy context due to its growing population and a strong economic development. The main objective of this French region is to ensure that its exceptional potential for renewable power generation could meet an increasing energy demand. Regarding the energy development, the Regional strategy is to reach the energy independence by 2030 (SPL “Energies Réunion”) without using fossil fuels. In this context, the LE2P is leading a solar resource research programme with the aim to use solar resource as a stable source of energy and ensure its management in a reliable and efficient way for its integration into an electrical power grid. This paper aims to describe the methodology used for the development of this ambitious and challenging R&D program, projects articulation within the LE2P roadmap’s and the collaborations and partnerships initiated in UE and OI zone, permitting Eco city development especially in the IO area.