Solar power and wind power partner up
What if you could combine several types of renewable energy sources for even more efficient electricity generation? Yes, it can happen! Researchers in Spain have developed a hybrid electricity generation model that allows for the combination of solar power with wind power. Energy generated by the hybrid system can be either stored in batteries or in hydrogen tanks.
Last week, the online magazine Renewable Energy published the findings of researchers from the University of Zaragoza who developed an algorithm for optimal hybrid electricity generation, that is energy from the combination of photovoltaics, wind energy, and occasionally non-renewables like diesel fuel.
Are you like me? Scratching your head and saying “huh?”
Why would we need hybrid electricity generation? Could we not just choose between solar power and wind power and leave it at that? One the researchers and the author of the study explains the purpose of the project:
“The objective of this project is to minimise both the costs and polluting emissions generated by energy production within isolated systems in the electric network, as well as reducing the amounts of unprovided energy (energy required by appliances and devices, but which cannot be supplied).”
O.K. That makes some sense to me. But hold onto your hat. Its about to get a lot more complicated….
Each of the isolated installations, photovoltaic panels, aerogenerators (windmills) and diesel generators were individually considered by the engineers. They used a mathematical algorithm known as SPEA (Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm) for the first time in a “multi-objective” design of hybrid electricity generation systems.
If terms like “algorithm” and “pareto” are foreign to you, consider the following. It is basically a formula from which the best solutions (known as “pareto”) are derived, based on considerations of budget, levels of pollutants emitted, and remaining unprovided energy. The optimal solution for any given circumstance can be determined using the algorithm in a relatively short time frame.
I think this is scientist-speak for: we developed a secret code into which we input lots of figures and data and the right answer pops out. Regardless of whether it makes perfect sense to me, if it is advancing the cause of renewable energy sources like solar power and wind – it sounds like a worthy project! Particularly if excess energy is harnessed in the best way possible and pollution is cut to a minimum.
So how about a video discussing the benefits of solar power and wind?
I would ask if there are any questions, but I’m still cramming for the final exam.
That’s pretty innovative. I hadn’t heard of vehicles combining different forms of renewable energy generation before. Wind energy on a car sounds pretty interesting
As far as green energy cars go, I’m really excited about the hydrogen cars due to arrive from Honda and Toyota in 2015. Those are going to be a sight for sore eyes.
I think we should be more focus on producing solar glass that reproduced energy from the Sun, as if that many countries whom really needs much more of this excess energy like those in the desert or in hotter places that could better catch up with this energy.