Energy reform is the big demand for the next day, all over the planet. The pioneering energy reform program of Astypalea, which is expected to be the first "smart" and "green" island in the Mediterranean, is expected to provide answers to this big question mark.
How Astypalea will become green with the cooperation of Volkswagen
The German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen and the Greek government believe that pollution-free transportation with energy από ανανεώσιμες πηγές είναι εφικτές από τώρα και για αυτό το λόγο οι δύο πλευρές συμφώνησαν να προχωρήσουν στην υλοποίηση του πειράματος της Αστυπάλαιας. Το συγκεκριμένο project φιλοδοξεί να καταστήσει το νησί ενεργειακά autonomous, mainly through the replacement of the current transport system with the use of electric vehicles and the production of renewable energy.
In particular, the project includes the gradual replacement of conventional private and public use vehicles on the island with electric ones, the introduction of innovative transport and transportation services, as well as the production of energy from RES, without a negative ecological footprint, in replacement of current oil generators.
At the heart of the project is a completely new, advanced transportation system that includes:
Τρα incentives to replace conventional electric vehicles with a financing program. In total, about 1.000 electric vehicles are set to replace about 1.500 vehicles with internal combustion engines.
● public utility vehicles as well as utility vehicles on the island - police, EKAB and public sector - which will be replaced by electric ones with the help of the Volkswagen Group.
Ίες necessary infrastructure works for the implementation of an integrated network loading of vehicles
● Custom public transport services, through digital applications, which will allow residents and visitors more freedom in their movements, sharing services of vehicles, e-mopeds and e-bicycles that citizens can use at any time of the day.
● The Hellenic Republic will ensure the existence of quality road infrastructure, excellent signalknowledge and sufficient data regarding traffic and weather conditions to ensure safe and inclusive transportation that will ultimately lead to autonomous driving.
"Landing" of Volkswagen electric vehicles
On Wednesday morning, 6 months after the signing of a memorandum of the car industry with the Greek government, the first electric vehicles are delivered to the municipality, port and police, in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The 1.500 vehicles of the island will be gradually replaced with electric ones. The Greek State will subsidize the purchase of electric cars with 12.000 euros, will offer attractive financing programs and will contribute to the creation of charging infrastructure. It will also undertake to replace the existing thermal power plant with a hybrid, which will operate from Renewable Energy Sources, but also to improve all the infrastructure of the island.
Volkswagen in turn will replace all state and municipal vehicles free of charge, will offer buyers its electric cars at a cost price, will support the operation of a car sharing mechanism, will create and support the operation of an on-demand transportation system, while from 2026 will implement autonomous driving on the island.
Μετά την Αστυπάλαια, σειρά για την πράσινη αναμόρφωση του αναμένεται να πάρει ένα ακόμη νησί των Δωδεκανήσων, η Χάλκη. Το συγκεκριμένο νησί έχει σύμφωνα με πληροφορίες του Capital.gr επιλεγεί από την ελληνική κυβέρνηση σε συνεργασία με τις ενδιαφερόμενες γαλλικές Companies Citroen, Vinci Energie and Akuo Energy Greece to develop actions that will make it energy independent with a neutral environmental footprint and with the parallel penetration of electrification in water and land transport.
The project includes the installation of a hybrid RES station and energy storage station with the ultimate goal of energy autonomy of the island, fully covering the needs of residents and businesses, the electrification of the island fleet by replacing old vehicles with electric cars, bicycles and bicycles as well as the integration of intelligent electric lighting systems on the island, while for the first time part of the electrification of the movements will be the maritime transport with floating means of zero carbon footprint.
The transition to a climate-neutral society is both an urgent challenge and an opportunity to build a better future for all, and the above-mentioned moves by the Greek government are moving in that direction. At the same time, they are fully in line with the EU 's goal of becoming climate - neutral by 2050 - a zero - emission greenhouse economy. This objective is at the heart of the Europe Green Agreement and is in line with the EU 's commitment to global climate action under the Paris Agreement.
