Linking Solar and Biomass Resources to Generate Renewable Energy: Can We Find Local Complementarities in the Agricultural Setting?

Abstract

Today, an energy transition is underway to tackle the problems of climate change and energy sufficiency. For this transition to succeed, it is essential to use all available renewable energy resources most efficiently. However, renewable energies often bring a high level of volatility that needs to be balanced. One solution is combining the use of different renewable sources to increase the overall energy output or reduce its environmental impact. Here, we estimate the agricultural solar and biomass resources at the local level in Switzerland, considering their spatial and temporal variability using geographic information systems. We then identify the technologies that could allow for synergies or complementarities. Overall, the technical agricultural resources potential is a ~15 PJ/annum biogas yield from residual biomass and ~10 TWh/a in terms of electricity from solar photovoltaic tiles installed on roofs (the equivalent to ~36 PJ/a). Biomethane upgrading, power to X, electrolysis, cooling or photovoltaic roofing on biogas facilities are among the examples that could foster complementarity in the system if resources are pooled within the agricultural setting. Temporal complementarity at the farm scale can only lead to partial autarchy. The possible benefits of these complementarities should be further investigated, looking in particular at the economic viability of such systems.