In the global scenario of confronting climate changes and search for sustainable alternatives, the solar energy stands out as a protagonist in energy transition. This renewable energy source plays a crucial role in clean electricity generation.
According to data from the wood mackenzie on 2023, the Brazil will be the fifth largest solar energy market in the world at the beginning of the next decade. It will be only behind China, the United States, India and Germany by the end of 2032.
Today, we are the sixth country with the largest installed solar energy capacity in the world, according to data from IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency).
This is incredible, but it also creates great challenges, as solar and wind plants (and hydroelectric plants in certain configurations) present intermittent operation, that is, energy generation is subject to instantaneous conditions – wind, sunshine and river flow.
Because of this, there is a need to complement thermal energy generation capable of meeting demand in times of unavailability of renewable sources.
In many of the Brazilian isolated systems, that is, in locations disconnected from the national transmission network (National Interconnected System), a single generation plant must alone meet the energy demand, with large fluctuations throughout the day and year.
However, even in these locations it is possible to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and reduce the cost of energy through hybridization.
A series of innovations contribute to the increase in renewable energy and, consequently, to build safer networks, with the association of hybrid solutions and the potential use of battery energy storage (BESS).
Providing flexible solutions that can operate in a hybrid manner and on multiple fuels makes it possible to safer and lower-cost energy generation, meeting the objectives of reducing carbon footprint.
We are already seeing a movement of companies that are committing to reducing their emissions, this has been reflected in many studies for isolated systems, but we have verified that hybridization is the ideal path to a safe and stable supply.
Among the solutions that Aggreko operates in Latin America, the case of Salares Norte project, in Chile, with a unique technology on the market, capable of supplying 24,6 MW of hybrid energy to the open-pit gold mine Salares Norte (Gold Fields), located 190 km from the municipality of El Salvador and more than 4.500 meters in altitude.
Due to its remote location, experts chose to supply 9,9 MW of solar PV and 14,7 MW of diesel to ensure high-altitude performance. There are also hybrid battery plants in the oil and gas sector in the Ecuadorian Amazon, in Colombia and Argentina.
Speaking specifically of solar energy, Aggreko's entry into this market in Brazil stands out as a significant milestone.
The initiative not only brings environmental benefits, but also has positive economic implications, offering more affordable green energy to customers and contributing to the reduction of energy costs.
By adopting DG (distributed generation), Aggreko helps reduce electrical system losses and benefits local utilities and distributors. The initial project consisted of installing solar energy plants in several strategic locations.
In short, the combination of distributed generation and hybridization is playing a key role in unlocking the potential of solar energy during energy transition in Brazil.
By overcoming the challenges of intermittent operation of solar and wind plants, especially in isolated systems, these solutions are not only reducing dependence on fossil fuels but also providing safer, more stable and cost-effective power generation.
Aggreko's commitment to renewable energy projects, such as those installed in Ceará, exemplifies the tangible impact of these strategies in building a cleaner and more sustainable energy matrix, offering environmental, economic and social benefits for the country.
As a result, solar energy stands out as one of the pillars for the energy transition in Brazil, paving the way for the protagonism of other renewable energies.
The opinions and information expressed are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the author. Canal Solar.
