Renewable island educational project

The project

The aim of this project is to spread the importance that renewable energies have in island territories due to the singularities associated with the isolated electric systems, which make them completely different from those territories which are electrically interconnected. The energy management is of vital importance in any electric system, but especially in isolated systems where the connection with other electric system cannot be used to enhance the stability of the system.

Currently, renewable energies are considered one of the main causes of the cumulative tariff deficit in Spain, which generates certain social rejection to the installation of power generation plants associated with this type of technology. However, it is essential to distinguish those systems in which, due to its uniqueness, the renewable electricity generation is cheaper than the one being carried out with conventional energy sources, such as in islands.

Isla Renovable aims to bring the technologies associated with the renewable energy generation closer to the general population, as well as the factors that determine their maximum penetration level in the electric system and the environmental and economic benefits that their use has on island territories.

To achieve this goal, an interactive multi-platform game has been designed and implemented. The game is available in English and in Spanish languages for its download as a mobile application for both Android and iOS devices, as well as to be played online from the project website.

In order to disseminate the project and its results, a Project Communication Plan has been developed. This plan determined the main broadcasting channels to be used, such as a project specific website and its profile on Facebook.

The teaching methodology and the didactic instruments used in the project are mainly based on the use of new technologies for the dissemination of scientific contents and on the use of an interactive simulation game as a didactic tool. It is intended that the user could choose different means to solve the same problem, in an attractive and easy way, while facilitating the exchange of experiences and debate among the users.

The ISLAND 100% game

In the ISLAND 100% game, the user starts on a virtual island exclusively powered by conventional energy sources and its aim will be to achieve the highest penetration of renewable energies in the electric system, always meeting the energy demand of the island and at a reasonable cost. The application has three levels of difficulty, which correspond to islands of different population, energy consumption or renewable resources.

The game has been designed to maximize its subsequent educational use, as a tool that teachers can use to show how an isolated electric system works and the importance of its proper management. In order to facilitate the work of teachers, a training manual and a series of complementary tutorial videos have been designed to optimize this educational use. Furthermore, promotion and training sessions will be held with groups of secondary students and with teachers of the island of Tenerife.