Zvonimir Glasnović

Sustainable Electric Power System: Is It Possible? Case Study: Croatia

This paper analyzes the reality of sustainable energy supply (SEPS) from renewable energy sources (RES) as a totally green strategy of electric energy production. The paper is based on the Advanced International Policies (AIP) scenario of the European Renewable Energy Council agency forecast by the year 2040, which foresees the share of 82% of RES, extended to 100% of RES. The key element that creates conditions for achieving this ambitious scenario is an innovative solution of the so-called solar hydroelectric power plant (SHE) which is basically combined photovoltaic (PV) power plant and pump storage hydro (PSH) which can provide continuous supply of electric power and energy to consumers. Therefore, SHE is presented in this paper as the main building element of the future SEPS. For covering unit consumption of electric energy of 1 GWh in a power system, the paper calculates unit values of the SHE system: 0.73 MW of PV generator; 4,545  m2 of PV generator; 0.36  hm3 of reservoir volume, 0.21 GWh of PSH ...

Introduction of PV Energy Into an Existing HEP

This paper analyzes a possibility of upgrading hydroelectric plant (HEP) with solar photovoltaic (PV) generator. The main objective of this solution is maximization of green energy production in accordance with local and existing HEP framework. The example of HEP Zavrelje/Dubrovnik in Croatia was used as a paradigm of such exploitation of RES. The results of the analysis confirm that the proposed solution of hybrid work PV-HEP system is natural, realistic, and very promising. By hybridization of these two main natural energy sources, the characteristics of both energy sources are enhanced. The application of such hybrid systems would increase the share of green energy in the electric power systems and thus reduce the CO2 emission from energy sources.

Role of Water-Energy Storage in PV-PSH Power Plant Development

This paper presents the characteristics of a power plant that combines renewable energy sources (RES), that is, a photovoltaic (PV) power plant and pump storage hydroelectric (PSH), to achieve sustainable production of green electric energy equal to that of conventional energy sources. The proposed solution does not produce CO2 and does not significantly use freshwater or other resources. The PSH storage is the main element of the proposed power plant system, which provides a continuous and reliable supply of green energy. Its size significantly affects the size of the PV generator and operation characteristics of the hybrid plant. The paper elaborates in detail the functional relationship between the choice of the PV generator power and the PSH upper storage volume and presents the basic mathematical relations. The algorithm of the system development is presented, along with the procedure choice solutions. The results from the case study show that the concept is flexible in design, construction, and oper...

Revitalization of Hydro Energy: A New Approach for Storing Solar Energy

Currently, the most suitable technology for storing relatively large amounts of solar energy is hydro energy (pumped storage hydroelectricity (PSH)). Given the problem of intermittent solar energy and the inability to ensure a continuous energy supply to customers throughout the year, this chapter analyzes the integration of solar (photovoltaic or solar thermal) and hydro energy. With all known technologies of storage, only hydro energy can balance seasonal surpluses and shortages of solar energy, and in this way ensure continuous energy supply to consumers throughout the year with low environmental impact. The disadvantages of the site-specific construction of this system can be avoided by using geosynthetics for the construction of reservoirs of PSH in virtually all places where there are height differences. A very important polymer material, geomembranes, which belong to the group of geosynthetics (e.g., geotextiles, geogrids, geonets, geosynthetic clay liners, geopipe, geofoam, geocomposites), can significantly contribute to the further development of PSH technology. The results from the case study show that this concept of using hydro energy for solar energy storage could be flexible in design, construction, and operation.