Hydro solar model - photovoltaic generation on the flooded surfaces of hydroelectric dams in Brazil
The combined increase of energy demand and the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG)
in the atmosphere force the power generation to ride by a sustainable path. Photovoltaic
(FV) conversion is one of the emerging technologies pointing out as a potential source of
energy for the coming years. The aim of this study is to propose a sustainable hydrosolar
model to substitute the current model of power production in Brazil. The review of
oating FV power plants has pointed very small participation of this technology despite
the exceptional country's geophysical condition. The big land extension occupied by
solar panels to generate signicant amounts of energy suggests the use of open water
surfaces for the installation of large FV plants. The expressive amount of ooded areas
by Hydroelectric Power Plants (HEPP) reservoirs was evaluated to identify the potential
for the implementation of FV Floating Power Plants (FV-FPP) near the HEPP dams.
As a result of this study, it was found that by using less than 10% of their surface the
HEPP reservoirs in Brazil can accommodate FV-FPP supplying the electricity demand
with solar energy during peak irradiation hours while balancing grids with hydro-power
during low/no irradiation times, improving the operational exibility of the Brazilian
Electrical System (BES). This model may make available yearly to the National Electric
System Operator (ONS) additional 200 TWh.