La Island of El Hierro, located in the Canary Islands, remains a world reference in the integration of renewable energy. Thanks to the hydro-wind power plant Gorona of the Wind, has managed to cover its energy demand exclusively with clean energy for several consecutive days, a fact that stands out in the field of sustainability and the fight against climate change.
What is the Gorona del Viento hydro-wind power plant?
The Gorona del Viento power plant is a innovative integrated plant by a hydro-wind system, which combines the wind power and hydroelectric power to supply renewable energy to the island of El Hierro. Inaugurated on 27 June 2014, its main objective is to make El Hierro an energy self-sufficient territory.
The system consists of a wind farm of five wind turbines, with a total capacity of 11,5 MW, which produces electricity using the power of the wind. When wind production exceeds demand, the excess energy is used to pump water from a lower reservoir to a higher one. During periods without wind, water is allowed to fall from the upper reservoir to generate hydroelectric power, thus maintaining continuity of the electricity supply.
A successful model: 100% renewable supply
One of the great milestones of this plant took place from January 25 to February 12 2018, when the island was supplied exclusively with renewable energy during that uninterrupted period of time. During those 18 days, El Hierro did not depend at all on fossil fuels, marking a world record in terms of the stability of the supply based on clean energy.
In total, the plant operated for a total of 1974h The company was powered exclusively by renewable energy throughout the year. Strong winds were key to achieving this extraordinary performance, as the wind turbines operated at maximum capacity, allowing them to cover all of the island's electricity demand and feed the pumping system to generate hydroelectric energy at times of lower winds.
Success was not limited to 2018. In the first quarter of that same year, the plant produced a 60% more energy than demanded around the island. This allowed the disconnection of the Llanos Blancos diesel thermal power plant for extended periods.
Impact on CO2 reduction and energy efficiency
Since it came into operation, Gorona del Viento has managed to avoid the emission of around 30.000 tons of CO2, which has had a significant positive impact on the fight against climate change and pollution. In addition, in 2021, 1.328h in which the plant managed to cover the demand for electricity with 100% renewable energy, thus reducing the use of 6.000 tons of diesel.
The economic savings have also been significant, as the plant has avoided the importation of 43.000 barrels of oil per year, an amount that, until the construction of Gorona del Viento, was necessary to guarantee a constant electricity supply in El Hierro.
Historical data on renewable energy generation in El Hierro
The development of renewable energy in El Hierro has followed an upward trend since the inauguration of the hydro-wind power plant in 2014. In its first full year of operation, in 2015, it managed to cover a 19,2% of the island's electricity demand. In 2016, this figure grew to 40,7% and in 2017 it reached 46,5%.
Before the creation of Gorona del Viento, in 2014, renewable energy only represented the 2,3% of the island's electricity demand, which highlights the positive impact that the plant has had on El Hierro's energy transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable model.
Challenges and opportunities
Despite the achievements, El Hierro still faces some challenges on its path to full energy self-sufficiency. Although significant milestones have been reached, the island is still occasionally dependent on the Llanos Blancos thermal power plant, which uses fossil fuels to guarantee supply when neither wind nor water are sufficient to meet demand.
In 2020, for example, Electricity was generated 100% from renewable sources for a total of 54 days, although the annual average was 41,9%This highlights the importance of continuing to improve system efficiency and seeking ways to further reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
However, the example of Gorona del Viento opens up enormous opportunities to replicate this model on other islands and isolated territories seeking to reduce their energy dependence on external and fossil sources.
How Gorona del Viento works: technology and operating process
The operation of the hydro-wind power plant is a clear example of technological innovation applied to renewable energies. Below we explain the operating process in detail:
- Wind power generationThe plant uses five Enercon E70 wind turbines, each with a power of 2,3 MW, to capture wind energy.
- Hydraulic storage:When wind production exceeds demand, the surplus is used to pump water from the lower reservoir, with a capacity of 150.000 cubic meters, to the upper reservoir, with a capacity of 380.000 cubic meters and located at an altitude of 655 meters.
- Hydroelectric generation:When there is not enough wind to meet energy demand, water stored in the upper reservoir is allowed to fall and drive the Pelton turbines in the hydroelectric power plant, generating up to 11,32 MW of electricity.
Thanks to this combined system, El Hierro has managed to reduce its CO2 emissions and develop a safer and cleaner electricity grid.
Tourist and cultural impact of Gorona del Viento
In addition to its energy function, Gorona del Viento has become one of the main tourist attractions of El Hierro. The power station, together with the volcanic and natural landscapes of the island, is a symbol of the fight for sustainability and the preservation of the environment.
The cultural value of the project has also been recognised. The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) included the term “hydro-wind” in its latest dictionary, in recognition of the innovative impact of this energy generation system.
Thanks to Gorona del Viento, El Hierro has managed to position itself as a world leader in renewable energy and an example to be followed by other islands and isolated territories seeking a future without fossil fuels.