Summary
Within the framework of renewable energies, photovoltaic is one of the technologies with the greatest future projection. However, the fluctuating, unpredictable and unmanageable character of renewable generation systems, subject to intermittent atmospheric conditions, increases the difficulty of ensuring the reliable and stable management of the electricity systems. This is one of the main disadvantages of this type of renewable facility, especially in the energy market. It is necessary to redefine the planning, management, and operation of this type of facility. In the framework of the H2020 CLARA project, the University of Cordoba has developed one tool for automating both spatial and operational assessment of utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) power plants, a Solar Energy Assessment and Planning Tool (SEAP). This service gives a global simulation to determine solar radiation and energy produced, providing forecasts from short-term to long-term to climate change conditions.
Result description
SEAP is available as a web application to predict solar energy production on PV facilities, allowing operational assessment on different time scales, daily, monthly, or seasonal. This service offers alternatives for PV plants that the user can act on, either managing the priority of consumption in autonomous installations or determining the most appropriate tracking for each day so that two different decision-making levels can be considered. In terms of energy and economic management, the PV plantmanagers can anticipate the purpose of this energy (sale, self-consumption or grid injection). In terms of technical management, the SEAP service provides information about optimal solar tracking. SEAP service can be used to know the performance of PV plants at any location in Europe.
Addressing target audiences and expressing needs
- To raise awareness and possibly influence policy
We are looking for new collaboration with partners and effective methodologies and channels to reach relevant actors and stakeholders to make them understand the potential of the seasonal forecast to support PV systems operation. On the other hand, SEAP is being tested in Southern Spain, in an AzimuthElevation tracker plant. It is a dynamic plant, where the user can modify the tracking policies to improve production. Having prior knowledge of solar radiation through SEAP service allows the policy of solar trackers to be programmed in advance to optimize the uptake.
- Others/ No specific audience
- Public or private funding institutions
- International Organisations (ex. OECD, FAO, UN, etc.)
- Research and Technology Organisations
R&D, Technology and Innovation aspects
SEAP is a semi-operational tool whose aim is demonstrate that end-users can take advantage of forecasting climate data in order to support the operation of PV plants. Implemented in a pilot facility in touch with managers of the systems, the tool has been designed to be easily applied in other PV plants at very low cost, thanks to the scalable software architecture used.
Result submitted to Horizon Results Platform by FONDAZIONE CENTRO EURO-MEDITERRANEOSUI CAMBIAMENTI CLIMATICI
