Complementarity between Combined Heat and Power Systems, Solar PV and Hydropower at a District Level: Sensitivity to Climate Characteristics along an Alpine Transect

Abstract

Combined heat and power systems (CHP) produce heat and electricity simultaneously. Their resulting high efficiency makes them more attractive from the energy managers’ perspective than other conventional thermal systems. Although heat is a by-product of the electricity generation process, system operators usually operate CHP systems to satisfy heat demand. Electricity generation from CHP is thus driven by the heat demand, which follows the variability of seasonal temperature, and thus is not always correlated with the fluctuation of electricity demand. Consequently, from the perspective of the electricity grid operator, CHP systems can be seen as a non-controllable energy source similar to other renewable energy sources such as solar, wind or hydro. In this study, we investigate how ‘non-controllable’ electricity generation from CHP systems combines with ‘non-controllable’ electricity generation from solar photovoltaic panels (PV) and run-of-the river (RoR) hydropower at a district level. Only these three energy sources are considered within a 100% renewable mix scenario. Energy mixes with different shares of CHP, solar and RoR are evaluated regarding their contribution to total energy supply and their capacity to reduce generation variability. This analysis is carried out over an ensemble of seventeen catchments in North Eastern Italy located along a climate transect ranging from high elevation and snow dominated head-water catchments to rain-fed and wet basins at lower elevations. Results show that at a district scale, integration of CHP systems with solar photovoltaic and RoR hydropower leads to higher demand satisfaction and lower variability of the electricity balance. Results also show that including CHP in the energy mix modifies the optimal relative share between solar and RoR power generation. Results are consistent across the climate transect. For some districts, using the electricity from CHP might also be a better solution than building energy storage for solar PV.

Recent Advances in Low-Carbon and Sustainable, Efficient Technology: Strategies and Applications

“…The application of district heating and cooling (DHC) technologies is acknowledged as a promising solution to the supply of temperature conditioning in buildings [113], which can effectively save energy and reduce emissions. For decarbonized and sustainable development, DHC is an attractive solution with the application of low-quality heat resources, both from renewable sources (such as solar PV panels [114], geothermal energy [115], wind [116], biomass [117] and hydropower [118]) and industrially generated waste heat [119]. The evaluation of reliable energy sources for different DHC sectors is quite a challenge, since it is difficult to describe the actual energy profiles in specific districts [120].…”

Methodology for Modernizing Local Gas-Fired District Heating Systems into a Central District Heating System Using Gas-Fired Cogeneration Engines—A Case Study

“…One of the ideas for the energy-and environmentally efficient use of fossil fuels is cogeneration systems [27], where heat and electricity are produced simultaneously in one process. This concept has been reported as beneficial [28,29]. Heat obtained in the electricity production process can be treated as waste [27], and its useful use increases the energy efficiency of the system [30,31].…”

Complementarity and ‘Resource Droughts’ of Solar and Wind Energy in Poland: An ERA5-Based Analysis

“…The complementarity concept was not only studied for solar and wind energy resources but also for other technologies such as a combined heat and power station (CHP), run-of-the-river (RoR) and large-scale hydropower. Puspitarini et al [17] investigated the combination of solar photovoltaic panels, run-of-the-river and a combined heat and power station in a 100% renewable energy mix scenario. This study was conducted for seventeen districts in north-eastern Italy, where its results indicated that integration of the CHP system is a promising solution to strengthen the energy balance and increase load satisfaction.…”