# Power Grid with 100% Renewable Energy for Small Island Developing States -- Nexus of Energy, Environment, and Economic Growth

**Authors:** Yuichi Ikeda  
**arXiv:** [1904.04597](https://arxiv.org/abs/1904.04597)  
**Date:** 2019-04-09  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/1904.04597v1/

## Key points

- Study by Yuichi Ikeda estimates system-wide LCOE for power grid with high renewable energy sources in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) economies
- Focuses on interconnectedness of energy, environment, and economic growth
- Utilizes grid optimization model to analyze implications of transitioning to 100% renewable energy generation
- Estimated LCOE is high at $397/MWh, surpassing residential electricity prices in countries like US and Japan
- Transition technically feasible with integration of electricity storage systems but poses economic challenges for consumers
- Potential challenges for SIDS economies as substantial increase in LCOE could lead to 11% decrease in economic growth
- Solution proposed through hydrogen production via water electrolysis using excess solar photovoltaic energy
- Hydrogen production offers dual benefits of reducing LCOE and lowering CO2 emissions, facilitating higher economic growth and advancing environmental sustainability goals

## Summary

The study by Yuichi Ikeda estimates the system-wide levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for a power grid with a high proportion of renewable energy sources. It focuses on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) economies and highlights the interconnectedness of energy, environment, and economic growth. The research utilizes a grid optimization model to analyze the implications of transitioning to 100% renewable energy generation. The findings reveal that while achieving this goal is technically feasible with the integration of electricity storage systems, the estimated LCOE is notably high at 397 $/MWh. This cost surpasses residential electricity prices in countries like the US and Japan, indicating potential challenges in making such a transition economically viable for consumers. The study also identifies potential challenges for SIDS economies as susceptibility analyses demonstrate that this substantial increase in LCOE could lead to an 11% decrease in economic growth. However, there is hope as the research suggests a solution through hydrogen production via water electrolysis using excess solar photovoltaic energy. This approach has dual benefits - reducing LCOE and lowering CO2 emissions - thereby facilitating higher economic growth while advancing environmental sustainability goals. Innovative strategies like hydrogen production can help SIDS economies navigate towards a more sustainable and economically viable energy future despite initial cost hurdles associated with transitioning to renewable power grids.