Abstract:Integrating renewable and intermittent energy sources into the electricity sector challenges traditional energy systems based on predictability and constant supply. Studies oncomplementarity between climate-related resources from different regions and countries are proving to be an efficient means to overcome the variability of single-source use. Although Rio de Janeiro State (Brazil) has set goals of increasing its use of clean and low carbon energy, there is no study to support the expansion process. Given that, this work aims to assess the complementarity potential of small hydropower plants, wind farms, and photovoltaic panels in the state. Power output estimates have been based on wind speeds, solar radiation and river flow data and without generation technologies assumptions. The Pearson correlation coefficient and linear programming have been used to comprehend and optimize the renewable mix. Daily complementarity has been observed among the energy sources considered, especially between hydro and solar resources. The optimization process showed an improvement of 61% in the total power standard deviation, from the worst-100% hydro power-to the best case-62% of photovoltaic, 21% of wind, and 17% of hydro power. The results highlight the benefits of appropriately joining the three sources and suggest investing in photovoltaic generation.

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The human development would not be possible without energy. But the way electricity has been generated and fuels have been burnt causes serious impacts in environment. Our current society is concerned about these problems, and studies have been carried out to find renewable power sources and ways to use energy as efficient as possible. In this context, we will study the electrical generator park of Rio de Janeiro State, which is composed by hydroelectric plants, one wind farm, thermal plants and two conventional thermonuclear plants, having reached an installed capacity of 7.991 MW in 2012. In this same year, the electric generation in the state was 51.633 GWh, which accounted for 9,3% of national production, while the electricity consumption of 50.746 GWh represented 10,2% of the country's consumption. An increase in electricity consumption is expected for the next years due to the heating of the state economy, the large industrial investments and the great international events which will take place there. Therefore, the state will have to expand the capacity of its electric generating facilities, preferably in a sustainable and efficient way. This project aims to study how energy is used and generated in Rio de Janeiro State and begin to compile its energy inventory, so that, further studies can be conducted in order to make a comparative of these energy sources through the life cycle energy analysis seeking viable alternatives to the electricity demand in the state.