Advancing towards zero emissions: Integrating floating photovoltaic systems in hydroelectric power plant reservoirs

Abstract

One technological alternative to diversifying the energy matrix and reducing reliance on conventional sources involves integrating floating photovoltaics into hydropower plants. To improve the efficiency and sustainability of electricity production, this combination harnesses the benefits of solar and hydropower, thus contributing to climate change mitigation. This study proposes an assessment of the floating photovoltaics resource in water bodies associated with the 14 most important hydropower plants in Mexico. Using ERA5 reanalysis data and the assumption of a 10% coverage of the area of the water bodies, parameters such as annual energy production, avoided greenhouse gases and water savings were estimated. This was done considering two scenarios of floating photovoltaics power density, a pessimistic 30 W/m2 and an optimistic 125 W/m2. Under the conditions proposed in this work, the results of the optimistic Scenario indicate that an annual energy production of 33.12 TWh could be achieved, avoiding the emission of 14.51 MtCO2e of greenhouse gases and the evaporation of 336.78 hm3 of water.