In July 2025, ISLANDER project partner Network of Sustainable Greek Islands (DAFNI) hosted an online session titled “Transitioning to Energy Sustainability in EU Islands: Opportunities and Obstacles for Replication.” The event brought together stakeholders from island municipalities, local utilities, project developers, policy-makers, cooperatives, and replication partners. The goal was to introduce the replication plan for ISLANDER’s solutions on Greek islands and gather feedback on potential challenges and opportunities from the local stakeholders.

Session Overview

The session opened with Alfredo Gonzalez (AYESA), ISLANDER’s coordinator, who presented an overview of the project, including the solutions implemented on the island of Borkum and the challenges encountered during deployment.

Following this, DAFNI introduced the replication strategy for transferring ISLANDER’s technologies and activities to the follower Greek islands of Skopelos and Lefkada. This presentation laid the foundation for a lively and constructive discussion among island stakeholders.

Discussion Highlights

Strong stakeholder engagement: Participants showed strong engagement and  high interest in the results and outcomes of the ISLANDER project already deployed in Borkum.

• Of particular interest were the Smart IT Platform and the inverters from the academic partners NTUA, which were recognized as key commercializable outcomes
• A representative from a Greek utility company expressed interest in exploring the integration of district heating with desalination units, highlighting the potential for combined energy and water solutions.
• A Greek transmission system operator (TSO) showed interest in testing and applying energy optimization tools like the Smart IT Platform (SITP) to reduce energy costs on their island.

Challenges Identified

Despite the enthusiasm, several technical and social barriers to replication were discussed:

• Infrastructure limitations: Many Greek islands lack sufficient electrical capacity and skilled workforce to support the deployment and maintenance of advanced energy systems.
• Business model development: Participants emphasized the importance of robust business plans and funding strategies to ensure the long-term viability of replication efforts.

This session marked an important step in extending ISLANDER’s impact beyond its original demo site, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange to support the energy transition in EU islands