Techno-economic analysis of the energy exploitation of biomass residues in Heraklion Prefecture—Crete

As with most of the Greek Islands, Crete is not interconnected to the national power grid. Therefore, power is generated locally and is based on a handful of ageing power plants running on imported diesel fuel oil, owned by the Public Power Corporation (PPC). However, the growth of the tourism industry and the subsequent need for more power present major challenges for the electricity production on the island. The high potential of biomass residues on the island creates new prospects for the energy concept of Crete. The purpose of this work is to examine the feasibility of a biomass-fired plant in the Heraklion Prefecture, on the island of Crete, taking into account the high biomass residues potential of this area.