LÃvia Maria Leite da Silva
Fundação Estadual do Meio Ambiente (FEAM), MG. Brazil
Title: Study of solar hydro complementarity potential for electric generation in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Biography
Biography: LÃvia Maria Leite da Silva
Abstract
Nowadays, Brazil lives up to the challenge of meeting the increase consumption of electricity present in all sectors of society. For this purpose, it is required to use renewable energy sources as a promotional mechanism for sustainable development. However, the availability of these sources is often linked to natural factors such as rainfall, which show variation throughout the year. Thus, it has become interesting as to how we can utilize simultaneous more of renewable sources for generation purposes, to ensure the seasonal stabilization of energy supply and the reduction of environmental impacts arising from the installation of new transmission and distribution systems. Therefore, a study was conducted by the Fundação Estadual do Meio Ambiente - FEAM, to survey the potential complementarity of hydro and solar photovoltaic sources in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. In this state, the largest share of the electricity generated stems from hydro plants (about 85%). That was used for analysis of the solar potential available in areas where there are already Hydroelectric Power Plants - HPP (> 30MW) and Pequenas Centrais Hidroelétricas - PCH (1 MW - 30 MW) are installed. This work aims at an increase in the reliability of the electrical generating system and its viability, since there is the possibility of joint use of transmission systems already in operation. Previous analysis indicate a further strategic potential of the complementarity among solar generation and PCH, since this has a lower installed power, making them more compatible with the solar source, which has smaller amounts of hours of annual availability.