NEWSLETTER #6 | September 2025

Dear Reader,

As the ISLANDER project draws to a close, we’re proud to reflect on the milestones we’ve achieved together in advancing sustainable energy solutions for islands. Over the past years, our consortium has worked hand-in-hand with local communities, technology partners, and replication islands to demonstrate how smart, integrated systems can pave the way to a carbon-neutral future.

In this final issue, we bring you a collection of ISLANDER's final highlights — from the launch of Borkum’s Smart IT Platform and the foundation of its citizen-led energy cooperative, to replication efforts in Greece and Croatia. You’ll also find a special feature on our Virtual Visit, an interactive experience that lets you explore Borkum’s energy innovations from anywhere in the world.

Stay connected and visit our website at www.islander-project.eu or follow us on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) as we conclude our part in the mission of decarbonizing island energy.

Thank you for being part of this journey!

The ISLANDER team

On March 8, 2025, the citizens of Borkum officially founded the energy cooperative Energiewelle Borkum eG, marking a major step in the island’s journey toward CO₂ neutrality. Supported by the ISLANDER project, the cooperative empowers locals to take charge of their energy future—starting with a solar PV installation at the wastewater treatment plant. This citizen-led initiative combines democratic participation with sustainable energy production, creating long-term value for the community.

The ISLANDER project has launched the test phase of its Smart IT Platform (SITP), a cutting-edge system designed to optimize energy management on Borkum. Developed by AYESA, the SITP remotely controls renewable energy sources, storage systems, and local loads to enhance grid stability and efficiency. With real-time monitoring and predictive algorithms, the platform supports dynamic decision-making and demand-side management. This marks a major step toward Borkum’s goal of becoming a net-zero island.

Earlier this April, ISLANDER partners gathered on the island of Borkum for a consortium meeting and site visit, marking a key milestone in the project’s final phase. Hosted by Borkum Nordseeheilbad, the event featured updates on technology installations and strategic discussions. Participants toured ISLANDER's innovative energy solutions—including hydrogen storage, seawater district heating, and smart PV systems—while external stakeholders explored replication opportunities for their own islands. The visit reinforced ISLANDER’s commitment to accelerating energy transitions across Europe’s islands.

ISLANDER’s replication activities continue across Europe’s islands. ISLANDER's follower islands conducted workshops with their local stakeholders, each offering insights into how ISLANDER’s solutions can be adapted to their local contexts. In Orkney, the workshop explored how local energy strengths could align with ISLANDER’s smart systems. Greek islands Skopelos and Lefkada assessed Borkum’s approaches, while Cres in Croatia is discussed overcoming regulatory and technical barriers in its energy transition.

Learn more about how ISLANDER's legacy could live on in Greece, Croatia, and Scotland.

ISLANDER partners Guillaume Fischer and Elodie Courtois from elmy have released a new open-access scientific publication (awaiting peer-review). The study compiled over four years of historical weather data from January 2018 to June 2022, in the aim of developing precise modelling of energy demand and supply to optimize energy flows. Using machine learning, the research focuses on improving forecasts for three key weather variables—outside air temperature, solar irradiance, and wind speed— owing to their direct impact on energy consumption and production.

Read more: Improved local weather forecasting using machine learning | Open Research Europe

From Borkum to Beyond: Scaling Smart Energy for European Islands - ISLANDER Final Event

📅   24 September 2024               📍   Online         🔗   More information

More events can be found on the website of BRIDGE and the Clean Energy for EU Islands Secreteriat.