PDG’s proposed modular hybrid renewable energy solution
Over the last 5 years, the PYTHYAS DEVELOPMENT GROUP has focussed its renewable energy and carbon emission reduction approach on pre-developing and on proposing unsolicited medium-scale renewable energy solutions to be incorporated in local electricity distribution systems as a possible grid-sized embedded generation.
The considered medium-scale power generation capacity ranges in average from 10 to 50 MW for both the solar PV sub-project as for the windturbine sub-project, and with hybrid (solar/wind) combinations up to 100 to 120 MW generation capacity.
However, due to local constraints on land availability and on injection possibilities in the local distribution grid, hybrid power generation capacities may be restricted and may require different site locations and different « ad hoc » injection substations.
Therefore, the PYTHYAS DEVELOPMENT GROUP has chosen to apply a “modular” approach whereby the required total generation capacity would be split into a number of similar and standard renewable energy projects.
In this respect, and based on a number of possible business opportunities that were available on certain islands in the Indian Ocean, the PYTHYAS DEVELOPMENT GROUP has decided to consider a double renewable energy approach with, respectively, a solar photovoltaic power plant solution and a windturbine power plant solution based on:
- a 2 MWp Solar PV Subproject
- a 4 MW Windturbine Subproject
- a 4 MWh BESS Battery (optional but highly advised)
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hereas both renewable energy projects are considered on a “stand alone” basis and “viable” for potential investors and project owners, it is obvious that combining both technologies will optimize the synergies with any existing thermal power plant within the “contract area” whilst reducing the power generation costs and the carbon emissions related to the power generated by the thermal power plants.
The combined solar and wind power renewable energy project will be very suitable to substitute partially the use of expensive diesel oil for the power generation in the locally available thermal plants.
The two key issues for implementing the solar and wind power renewable energy project in the “contract area” are: (1) the proximity to transmission infrastructure, being an electricity substation within a reasonable distance of the project, and (2) local grid capacity whereby the capacity relates to the amount of additional electricity the local infrastructure is able to accommodate.
One of the important advantages of the proposed standard 6 MW modular hybrid solution is the limited size of the land necessary to host the hybrid solution.
It requires only some three hectares of land (approximately 1,5 hectare per MW Solar PV) and two windturbine towers that could easily be erected within the Solar PV site area without affecting the efficiency of the Solar PV Subproject.
The power output of a Solar PV installation at a specific location can be improved by:
- a solar tracking system whereby the panel or array of panels rotate so that they always directly face the sun
- the technology/material used for fabricating the solar panels, such as crystalline silicon or other materials
- the usage of bi-facial solar panels whereby electrical energy is produced when illuminated on either of their surfaces (front or rear) as they are more efficient, durable, and resistant to weather than traditional panels
- surrounding the solar panel with reflective material, such as the soil beneath the solar panels, in particular when using bi-facial solar panel types.
The power output of a wind turbine is dependent on the efficiency of the blades, gear assembly, alternator/dynamo, as well as wind speed and wind consistency. The power output of taller wind turbines is greater due to the fact that wind speeds are greater at higher altitudes. The power output of wind turbines can be increased by turning the head in such a way that the blades face the wind, this can be done with a wind direction sensor combined with a motorized head moving mechanism (or yaw).
The combination of the volatility of the photovoltaic component with a possible volatility of the wind component will, more than likely, result in significant inequalities between the demand share of a continuous power load (such as a continuous industrial production scheme) and the supply share of hybrid sources of renewable energy, especially if these are based solely on solar and wind.
The diagram below collected from Wind Europe gives a clear view of the fact that the photovoltaic component is only available for a short period of time while the wind component, even if it is supposed to be available continuously, may have a discontinuous profile and of varying intensity.
The usage of a battery energy storage system (BESS) may be a solution to absorb the two above mentioned volatilities and the combination thereof in view of smoothening the discrepancy between demand and supply.
Anticipated project timeline for the first 6 MW hybrid IPP project
