GW Of Capacity Research Articles

Towards VLS-PV deployment in Saudi Arabia: Challenges, opportunities and recommendations

Abstracts Very large scale photovoltaic (VLS-PV) plants are considered to be the best existing options, in the desert regions, to solve environmental concerns and energy security issues. Saudi Arabia has already set a target to install 16 GW of solar PV by the year 2032. To implement this ambitious plan, the government aims to invest more than 109 billion USD. VLS-PV deployment is expected to pave the way to achieve these targets and assist the development of the local solar PV industry, which is associated with job creation potential and can bring considerable socio-economic benefits in the desert. This paper presents the opportunities and challenges of VLS-PV application in Saudi Arabia. SWOT analysis technique has been performed where the internal and the external factors associated with solar PV development are identified. Based on the analysis of the current situation and the expected socio-economic and environmental benefits that can be gained, a deployment scenario is developed to achieve 9 GW capacity of VLS-PV power plants in six different sites within fifteen years. In addition, more than 18,000 jobs will be created. VLS-PV deployment will strengthen the collaboration with the international companies and assists in transferring the know-how to the local companies and developers in the field of solar PV.

GIS-Based Optimal Site Selection for Installation of Large-Scale Smart Grid-Connected Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plants in Selangor, Malaysia

This study presents a GIS-based model to identify optimal sites to install large-scale smart grid-connected Photovoltaic (PV) power plants. Input datasets include digital elevation model, road networks, grid lines and daily average solar radiation. Using multi-criteria decision-making approach, we set constraining conditions for slope, proximity to the road, proximity to grid lines, solar radiation and land use to optimize the process of selecting suitable sites. Also, we predicted energy generation potential, installation capacity and CO2 emission reduction potential. The result shows that 790.48 km2 (40%) of the study is optimal for large-scale PV installation. Furthermore, a total of 105276.88 GWh/yr annual electricity generation, 59.29 GW installation capacity and yearly CO2 emission reduction of 66324 (kt–CO2/yr) are estimated for Selangor. This study indicates that based on the 2030 national energy demand, about 38.4% of the annual energy demand could be met if 59.29 GW capacity is install in Selangor. Similarly, the study predicts 13.2% annual carbon emission reduction offset from the predicted 2020 CO2 emission.

Local community as shareholders in clean energy projects: Innovative strategy for accelerating renewable energy deployment in India

The government of India is promoting renewable energy sector with an ambitious target of 175 GW capacity, to be achieved by 2022. The reasons for this energy transition from fossils to renewable energy technologies include facilitating energy access, promoting cleaner forms of energy and enhancing energy security. The huge capacity shall require about 200,000 ha of land. However, land procurement has been identified as a key impediment in accelerating the growth of renewable energy sector in India. This presents an exciting business opportunity towards setting up community energy projects under community mode with the local people as shareholders. Community members can provide their land for setting up renewable energy projects as well as support in project development activities in lieu of getting upto 15% equity participation. This shall provide them with a constant source of income, estimated at over US $ 4000 per hectare per annum, besides facilitating energy access in villages. Quicker possession of land shall expedite project execution and the reduced capital expenditure shall decrease the cost of energy generation by upto 6%. Policy makers in emerging economies like India can pilot the proposed model in upcoming solar parks and wind farms.

Economic and Thermodynamic Analysis for Preliminary Design of Dry Steam Geothermal Power Plant (GPP) with Multifarious Gas Removal System (GRS) in Kamojang, West Java, Indonesia

Indonesia has great number of geothermal potential separated by two kind of potential, 16.13 GW for high enthalpy and 7.88 GW for low enthalpy speculative resources [4]. In the end of 2013, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources stated that Geothermal Power Plant (GPP) in Indonesia have been built about 1.34 GW in capacity and wanted to seriously develop geothermal potential up to 6.64 GW by 2025 [8]. Cost is one of famous obstacle in Indonesia's GPP Development. To reduce grand total cost of GPP, this paper will present the relation between thermodynamic and economic analysis in purpose to find the most economical gas removal system in GPP. By gleaning data at Kamojang Steam Field on behalf of PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy, this study will thermodynamically analyze and calculate a GPP preliminary design with software, named as Cycle Tempo 5.0. In additional, writers create motive steam calculator (based on C++ language) to enhance thermodynamic analysis for gas removal system (GRS) and adapted the results in Cycle Tempo 5.0. After thermodynamic analysis has been done, economic study will be undertaken by Net Present Value Analysis to compare the utilization cost of three different GRS and find which kind of GRS is more economical for nearly 30 years operation. For the result, Dual LRVP has higher performance than the others, spend less utilization cost and more economical for nearly 30 years operation. Moreover, the economic analysis for replacement of gas removal system shown in this paper too. In conclusion, GPP with Dual LRVP is proper to be developed in the future Geothermal Power Plant or to replace the existing GRS in some existing GPP in Indonesia.

Wave Energy Resource along the Coast of Santa Catarina (Brazil)

Brazil has one of the largest electricity markets in South America, which needs to add 6000 MW of capacity every year in order to satisfy growing the demand from an increasing and more prosperous population. Apart from biomass, no other renewable energy sources, besides hydroelectricity, play a relevant role in the energy mix. The potential for wind and wave energy is very large. Brazil's Santa Catarina state government is starting a clean energy program in the state, which is expected to bring more than 1 GW of capacity. Assessment of wave energy resources is needed along the coastline. This work studied the potential wave energy along the north-central coasts of Santa Catarina, in Southern Brazil, by analysis of the hindcast data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The annual offshore wave power was found to be equal to 15.25 kW/m, the bulk of which is provided by southeastern waves. The nearshore energetic patterns were studied by means of a numerical coastal propagation model (Mike21 SW). The mean wave power of 20 m isobaths is 11.43 kW/m. Supplementary considerations are drawn on realistic perspectives for wave energy converters installations.

Field Performance of 1.7 GW of Photovoltaic Systems

This paper presents performance data from nearly 50 000 photovoltaic systems totaling 1.7 GW of capacity installed in the USA from 2009 to 2012. Most systems without reported issues, about 90%, produced greater than 90% of the electricity predicted before installation. The data were shown to be consistent with the assumption of historical degradation rates of about 0.5% per year; excessive degradation rates such as 2% or 3% per year were not observed. Large systems showed an insolation-adjusted yield that was about 4% higher than smaller systems. Only 2-4% of the data indicated issues significantly affecting system performance. Delays and interconnections dominate project-related issues particularly in the first year, but were reported in less than 0.5% of all systems. Hardware-related issues are dominated by inverter problems as reported for less than 0.4% and underperforming modules for less than 0.1%.

Where, when and how much wind is available? A provincial-scale wind resource assessment for China

China׳s wind installed capacity has grown at a remarkable rate, over 80% annually average growth since 2005, reaching 91.5GW of capacity by end of 2013, accounting for over 27% of global capacity. This rapid growth has been the result of a domestic manufacturing base and favorable national policies. Further evolution will be greatly aided with a detailed wind resource assessment that incorporates spatial and temporal variability across China. We utilized 200 representative locations for which 10 years of hourly wind speed data exist to develop provincial capacity factors from 2001 to 2010, and to build analytic wind speed profiles. From these data and analysis we find that China׳s annual wind generation could reach 2000TWh to 3500TWh. Nationally this would correspond to an average capacity factor of 0.18. The diurnal and seasonal variation shows spring and winter has better wind resources than in the summer and fall. A highly interconnected and coordinated power system is needed to effectively exploit this large but variable resource. A full economic assessment of exploitable wind resources demands a larger, systems-level analysis of China's energy options, for which this work is a core requirement.

Reviews of fluid dynamics researches in wind energy engineering

Great progress has been achieved in the Chinese wind energy industry. By the end of 2012, according to statistics of CWEA, 75 GW capacity of wind power has been generated in China that pushes the country to the top place in the global wind power market. Nowadays, the technology trend focuses on the offshore wind power and the larger multi-megawatt wind turbine. It brings about several engineering challenges and new scientific problems. In this review, we focus on the advances in fluid dynamics researches related to wind energy engineering, such as the wind properties in atmospheric boundary layer (ABL), micrositing at complex terrain, wake flow behind wind turbine, airfoil design for large blade, aerodynamics for wind turbine, aero-elastic interaction, and offshore wind power technology. We also discuss the limitations of the widely-applicated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique. Finally, we point out the weakness of Chinese fundamental researches on winder energy engineering, and provide some suggestions.

Pitfalls of oil-based expansion of electricity generation in a developing context

In the context of growing demand and the need to rapidly increase access to convenient forms of energy, developing countries face many challenges for the development and upgrading of national energy infrastructures. Constraints on primary fuel sources, lack of capital and socio–political dynamics often result in the adoption of sub-optimal strategies for the expansion and upgrading of the existing infrastructure. Bangladesh is one such example that recently initiated a 10-year expansion program in 2010 to treble its generation capacity to 20 GW by 2021. The majority of about 3 GW capacity increase in the last two years has been based on imported oil such as heavy fuel oil (HFO) and high speed diesel (HSD). Despite having surplus generation capacity in 2011–12, the country continues to experience blackouts almost on a daily basis. By analysing the profiles of electricity demand, generation and shortage, as well as fuel imports, this study on Bangladesh demonstrates that increasing oil-based generation capacity does not always result in a proportionate increase in net electricity production. Moreover, increased dependence on volatile international energy markets for sourcing of fuel results in greater macroeconomic risks. Such macro-scale stress in a developing economy can be counter productive for social and economic development, as it takes resources away from other important sectors. Outcomes of this study can be useful for other developing countries that are undertaking energy sector reforms.

Specific features relating to implementation of investment projects in the Russian power industry

The state of generating capacities installed at Russian power stations is analyzed. It is shown that a total of 49.5 GW of capacities that are now in operation must be decommissioned by the year 2020 according to a forecast calculation. A plan of stage-by-stage commissioning of new generating capacities is outlined. Results of the first experience gained from new construction of power facilities are presented, and problems relating to involvement of Russian and foreign investors are pointed out.

Investments to promote electricity supply in India: Regulatory and governance challenges and options

India’s future electricity capacity needs would vastly increase if its recent strong economic performance continues. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the electricity capacity expansion needs, investment requirements and the challenges faced by the country in funding its power sector investments. It also considers regulatory and governance challenges facing India’s electricity sector and suggests options to ensure a reliable, affordable and secure electricity supply in the future. The impact of high economic growth on the capacity needs of the electricity sector is established through a critical review of demand forecasts and capacity expansion studies. The paper then analyses the investment needs for capacity expansion and highlights the challenges related to funding considering the present regulatory framework and industry governance structure. The paper then indicates a way forward. The paper finds that India’s electricity capacity would increase to 250 GW by 2015 and can reach between 500 to 900 GW by 2030. To ensure such a capacity growth, between 15 and 30 GW of capacity has to be added annually over the next 25 years. This would involve an investment between $30 to 55 billion per year in power supply infrastructure. As this size of investment is significantly higher than the present level, and given the poor financial condition of the electric utilities in India, funding such investments would be a major challenge. The paper suggests that in the medium to long-term better demand forecasting, demand management, promotion of group captive power with open access, engagement of franchisees and use of smart technologies for performance improvement would help prepare grounds for tariff rebalancing and providing correct price signals. However, in the short term, state support has to continue to ensure a sustained economic growth to ensure affordability to large poor and vulnerable groups and given the continued state ownership of the distribution business.