Wind parks operating in autonomous island networks with limited capacity of wind energy absorption are faced with considerable energy curtailments. To encounter the existing situation, the concept of wind energy storage suggests an alternative worth investigating. On the other hand, the expansion of natural gas networks in big islands, where remarkable wind potential may be met as well, questions the future of wind energy. To recover wind energy rejections and benefit from the introduction of natural gas, the adoption of wind-compressed air energy storage (Wind-CAES) systems is currently investigated. More specifically, the proposed solution examines the operation of a dual-mode CAES configuration in collaboration with private wind parks operating on the island of Crete. The system operation is configured so that guaranteed amounts of energy may be delivered to the local network on a daily basis, during certain peak demand hours. Based on a simulation algorithm for the dual-mode CAES system, configurations ensuring maximum recovery of wind energy curtailments may be obtained, while the proposed solution considerably reduces fuel consumption, otherwise required to operate conventional gas turbine plants. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.