SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY DEMONSTRATION ZONES IN THE DALMATIAN REGION Branimir Hrastnik, Lászlo Horváth and Dorijan Rajkoviæ Energy Institute “Hrvoje Požar”, Vukovarska 37, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia Tel: +385 1 632 2598, Fax: +385 1 611 8401, E-mail:
[email protected] Bernard Frankoviæ Faculty of Engineering - University of Rijeka, Vukovarska 58, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia Tel: +385 51 651 401, Fax: +385 51 675 818, E-mail:
[email protected] Ljubomir Mišèeviæ Faculty of Architecture – University of Zagreb, Kaèiæeva 26, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia Tel: +385 1 456 1222, Fax: +385 1 482 8079, E-mail:
[email protected] Ranko Vujèiæ Split-Dalmatian County, Domovinskog rata 2, 21000 Split, Croatia Tel: + 385 21 300 037, Fax: +385 21 300 085, E-mail:
[email protected] Abstract - The energy consumption in the Dalmatian region was estimated for residential and public sector, tourism, commercial sector and industry. The national energy programs for use of the solar (SUNEN) and wind energy (ENWIND) in Croatia assessed the solar and wind energy potential respectively. Fossil fuel and electricity consumption in the region, which is mostly used in households for the preparing of hot water and space heating, could be economically substituted by solar and wind energy. The situation is most promising for Adriatic islands, where solar thermal collectors, PV modules and wind generators could substitute conventional energy sources in satisfying the present thermal and electric demand. Dalmatian islands, characterized by small density of energy consumption, are proposed as unique candidates in Europe for the nomination as renewable zones, which could demonstrate the full potential of the renewable energy option.