How can a new energy system be made in Réunion?

This includes replacing sugar cane with different food crops; restricting urbanization; increasing the capacity for producing energy from waste; significantly scaling up photovoltaics that convert sunlight directly into energy; and convincing Réunion islanders to make certain lifestyle changes.

What is the difference between an on-grid and an off-grid system?

Cost-Effective: On-grid systems usually come with a lower price tag than off-grid systems because they don’t require costly battery storage. You can rely on the grid for extra power, which helps keep your costs down. Net Metering: Many utility companies offer net metering, letting you sell any surplus electricity back to the grid.

Could Réunion be the first region to send food and energy?

“If there’s climate-change problems, or war, or any political conflict in the world, Réunion wouldn’t be the first region where people would think to send food or energy,” says Jean Philippe Praene, who studies renewable energy at the University of La Réunion in Saint Denis. “So we have to be as self-sufficient as possible.”

Will switching to renewables solve Réunion's self-sufficiency problem?

Although laudable, switching to renewables will not solve the self-sufficiency problem. The renewable sources Réunion uses to generate electricity will still be mainly imported from abroad. “Forests will be cut in Canada to put in our furnaces in Réunion island,” says Mathieu David, who studies mechanics and energy at the University of La Réunion.

Is biomass a viable energy source for Reunion Island?

The development of biomass on Reunion Island is economically more viable. By 2030 in the transition scenarios, electricity from biomass has advantageously replaced electricity from coal and represents slightly more than 50% of electricity generation.

Is electricity self-sufficiency possible on Réunion?

Although electricity self-sufficiency on Réunion is theoretically possible, there are still a number of constraints imposed by factors such as nature, technology and economics. The island’s remote location and geographical features are serious challenges for starters.