RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Are microgrids an opportunity to trigger changes in small insular territories toward more community-based lifestyles?
A1 Hernández González, Yeray
A1 Monagas, Cristo
A1 Romero Manrique de Lara, David
A1 Corral Quintana, Serafín
K1 Microgrids in isolated territories
K1 Renewable energy
K1 Challenges
K1 Well-being
K1 Postgrowth
AB Small islands are fragile and dependent territories in many sectors, especially energy. Hence, renewable energymicrogrids (MGs) can offer an opportunity for environmentally sustainable energy supply but also a driver fornew development strategies in these territories. This paper aims to analyse the role that MGs can play in insularspaces for the achievement of more sustainable communities. Initially, MGs played a crucial role in ensuringenergy supply in spaces characterised by a difficult supply. However, with technological improvements in bothgeneration and storage, as well as institutional and legislative changes, MGs can play a fundamental role inachieving more socially cohesive and environmentally sustainable spaces beyond their role as energy suppliers.We discuss three main topics after a meta-analysis of 18 MGs, both on-grid and off-grid, located in insular spaces:1) the characteristics of MGs built in insular territories in the last 25 years; 2) MGs influence islanders’ well-beingand lifestyle; and 3) how MGs can encourage responsible consumption and promote postgrowth strategies. Thus,this paper explores the role that MGs have played in the past and present and what role they could play in thefuture of small island spaces. It might be concluded that MGs are a key factor in the development of moresustainable societies. However, they must be accompanied by changes in our economies, societies and lifestylesin a direction other than the pursuit of economic growth traditionally understood as a limitless increase in consumption and production.
SN 0959-6526
YR 2023
FD 2023
LK http://riull.ull.es/xmlui/handle/915/40977
UL http://riull.ull.es/xmlui/handle/915/40977
LA en
DS Repositorio institucional de la Universidad de La Laguna
RD 17-nov-2025