Feasibility Study for Electric Solar boat Transportation to Elafiti (E-LAFITI) is a project supported by NESOI European Islands Facility, managed by our partners from WOLF THEISS and promoted by the Dubrovnik Development Agency (DURA)

What is E-LAFITI?

The project E-LAFITI consists of a feasibility study about the implementation of two electric boats and their charging infrastructure. The study tackles the economic, technical, legal and environmental impacts of such transportation.

Nataša Mirić, Senior Advisor for Local Development and EU Funds at Dubrovnik Development Agency (DURA), states that the project E-LAFITI would help solve the connection of the Elafiti islands to the mainland, which increase their population during summer months, which makes the boats’ capacity insufficient.

Once the study is completed, the construction of the new ships will be approached, not only in technical terms, but also what will be the most suitable way of financing.

Solar Mobility at sea, what are the options?

Using solar power for maritime transportation, despite not being a popular choice, should not be disregarded as an alternative to the traditional diesel-fuelled boats. This is especially interesting for short distances, like the one separating Elafiti islands from the mainland.

With regards of solar mobility at sea, we contemplate two options, similarly to what happens on land, that are: the installation of the solar PV panels on land, providing a changing point for the boats or the installation of the panels on the top of the boats, making the vessels autonomous.

The final choice between those models in E-LAFITI project will depend on the type of boat, the frequency of the trips and capacity that will be needed to respond to the needs of the islanders both, in the peak season of summer, while ensuring an appropriate service in winter.

How does NESOI support this project?

This project is framed under a bigger energy transition plan of the City of Dubrovnik that tackles items, such as: renovation of public buildings for better efficiency or the use of solar panels. NESOI European Islands Facility has contributed to the project though advisory services that have helped in the creation of a good basis for the next steps of the implementation. Concretely, it has provided the following support:

•  Assessment of the key project sizing drivers and Identification of suitable technological options given existing project sizing requirements
• Definition of the required environmental permitting procedures and Cost Benefit analysis and socio economic and environmental impact evaluation
•  Definition of the technical, economic and financial, fiscal project inputs and Risk analysis and identification of available mitigation strategies
• Assessment of existing procurement options and Financial modelling and identification of target scenario
• Identification of financing/funding options and Action plan and identification of project monitoring procedures
• Action plan and identification of project monitoring procedures
• Identification and dimensioning of transports nodes and sizing of related infrastructure, based on expected traffic