This article presents to the scientific community technical and management issues taken into account for the implementation of the Micro Grid Laboratory, which will be part of “Balzay” Scientific, Technological and Research Center of the University of Cuenca. The paper describes the components that integrate the generation, storage and consumption of electrical energy from a combination of renewable and non-renewable sources that allow the emulation of a distributed generation network with the possibility of establishing technical criteria to recreate an intelligent network (Smart grid). The generation, storage and consumption components of the laboratory can interact through a control, monitoring and data acquisition system (SCADA) that allows automation of energy management for teaching and research purposes, as well as the possibility of interconnection with the local grid.

The power generated by photovoltaic solar systems is exposed to high variability of irradiance mainly due to weather conditions, which cause instability in the electrical networks connected to these systems. This study shows the typical behavior of solar irradiance in an Andean city, which presents considerable variations that can reach up to 63% of the nominal power of the photovoltaic system, at time intervals in the order of seconds. The study covers the application of 3 techniques to reduce power fluctuations at the point of common coupling (PCC), with the incorporation of energy storage systems, under the same irradiance conditions. Supercapacitors were used as the storage system, which were selected for their high efficiency and useful life. A state of charge control is also applied by means of a hysteresis band. The three algorithms studied show similar behaviors; however, the ramp control technique has the best performance. The storage system was dimensioned based on the photovoltaic system’s nominal power and the desired rate of change in the PCC, whose capacity can be estimated from P_nom/12 [kWh] and a maximum power that can reach up to 0.63 P_nom. The study determines that based on the storage capacity and the irradiance characteristics under study, the storage system could use at least 5.76 daily charge/discharge cycles. In the study, it is possible to reduce the rate of change of the photovoltaic energy injected into the PCC about 6.66 times with the use of the proposed energy storage system.

The reliance on fossil fuels for electricity production in insular regions creates critical environmental, economic, and logistical challenges, particularly for ecologically fragile islands. Transitioning to renewable energy is essential to mitigate these impacts, enhance energy security, and preserve unique ecosystems. This systematic review addresses key research questions: what practical strategies have proven effective in reducing fossil fuel dependency in island contexts, and what barriers hinder their widespread adoption? By applying the PRISMA methodology, this study examines a decade (2014–2024) of research on renewable energy systems, highlighting successful initiatives such as the integration of solar and wind systems in Hawaii, energy storage advancements in La Graciosa, hybrid renewable grids in the Galápagos Islands, and others. Specific barriers include high upfront costs, regulatory challenges, and technical limitations, such as grid instability due to renewable energy intermittency. This review contributes by synthesizing lessons from diverse case studies and identifying innovative approaches like hydrogen storage, predictive control systems, and community-driven renewable projects. The findings offer actionable insights for policymakers and researchers to accelerate the transition towards sustainable energy systems in island environments.