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Mitigation of climate change is a worldwide primary goal. Toward this effort, renewables play an important role in producing energy in a sustainable manner. The countries around the Mediterranean basin have untapped potential for the deployment of renewable energy sources, like solar and wind. Solar energy, in particular, has seen considerable growth due to the region's high solar irradiance. Wind energy has also expanded, especially in coastal areas with favourable wind conditions, such as Greece and Turkey. Additionally, wind energy investments in coastal zones and offshore are on the rise. Energy suppliers and authorities across the region have implemented policies, incentives, and international collaborations to encourage this shift towards renewables, contributing not only to reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also to improving energy security and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. This growing renewable energy capacity is part of a broader global trend, positioning Mediterranean nations as key players in the global effort to combat climate change. To assess the best sites for solar and wind installations high quality ground based measurements of the relevant variables are needed. However, there is a lack of such high-resolution, up-to-date spatial datasets.
The proposed analysis focuses on the Mediterranean region, a recognized climate change hotspot with significant potential for renewable energy investments but also facing challenges such as increased dust, storms and variability in wind and solar resources. Leveraging ERA5, CAMS, and climate projection data from CDS3, the study aims not only to identify areas where investments are likely to generate dependable returns but also to analyse the occurrence of energy droughts, and extreme events, such as fluctuating wind, temperature extremes and increased dust activity. Additionally, it will highlight regions where diversifying the energy portfolio may be crucial to mitigate these climate-related risks.
E-DREAM (Energy Droughts and Resource Energy Assessment in the Mediterranean) Demonstration Case is designed to assist stakeholders in the renewable energy sector, particularly in solar and wind, across the Mediterranean region. It offers a comprehensive solution for optimal site selection and life cycle analysis, facilitating more informed and sustainable decision-making. Historical data will be utilised to evaluate resource potential, identifying optimal sites for new solar and wind installations, as well as informing grid expansion planning. The sustainability of potential future installations will be evaluated by analysing the occurrence of energy droughts in wind, solar, and combined sources, as well as extreme events such as high winds and temperatures and desert dust storms. E-DREAM will be backed by key stakeholders from major Mediterranean countries, with the same analysis conducted under various climate scenarios tailored to user needs. This combined analysis based on historical data and future projections will offer a holistic approach to assessing the viability of future investments for the users in our use case.