Energetic and economic comparison between systems for the production of electricity from renewable energy sources (hydroelectric, wind generator, photovoltaic)

Abstract

The production of electricity from fossil fuels is one of the main causes of the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which is currently causing far-reaching climate changes. The use of renewable energy sources (RES) in power plants instead of gas and oil derivatives is presented today as an essential intervention to try to limit the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in order to contain the worrying phenomena of global warming. In this context in the present work a comparison from an energetic and economic point of view among three different power generation plants (hydroelectric, eolic and photovoltaic), located in the water basin area of Fiumara Annunziata in Reggio Calabria or in its immediate vicinity is presented. Energy productiveness and economic convenience are estimated during the useful life of the plants, together with their profitability. For the hydroelectric plant, made up of several elements, the preliminary sizing of the main components was also carried out.