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Evaluation of energy and environmental performance in floating photovoltaic systems

Laleoglou Rafaela

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Summary

The use of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and the implementation of new technologies and systems for energy production, have become essential on a global scale. Floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems represent a relatively new method of generating energy by utilizing marine areas. This Undergraduate Thesis investigates the effect of sea forces on the horizontal axis acting on a rectangular floating structure due to varying wave heights, aiming to compare these forces in terms of the system’s stability. The first part of the study is conducted using the MATLAB programming language. At the same time, for the above theoretical system under study, a simulation is carried out using the System Advisor Model (SAM) software by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), applying appropriate assumptions and input data for installation in the northern marine area of Gavdos Island, located at the southern part of Crete. The purpose is to estimate the total electricity generation of the floating PV system to supply energy to the island.Based on the results from MATLAB modeling, which examined three different sea states according to wave height, from 0 to 0.15 m for ideal conditions, 0.894 m as the average wave height for prevailing conditions, and 2.5 m for extreme operational conditions, the resulting forces acting on the rectangular floater (pontoon), range from 0 kN to 168 kN. As for the SAM software simulation, it is estimated that the proposed system is capable of generating up to 85.351 MWh annually, with an approximate coverage of 11.53% of the yearly energy consumption needs of the island’s population.According to the above findings regarding wave-induced forces on the floater, existing literature does not sufficiently cover this factor without taking into consideration the adding loading on the structure consisting of wind forces, buoyancy, and the system’s overall weight. Nevertheless, even the maximum calculated values appear to constitute only about 8% of the total load capacity of such systems, indicating favorable margins for installation feasibility and structural stability. The floating photovoltaic system contributes to meeting a significant portion of the total electricity consumption of the island’s permanent population. Its implementation could serve as a viable energy solution for other remote islands by utilizing sea space, while leaving the limited land areas free for agriculture and livestock. Therefore, the expansion of research on floating photovoltaic system technology is deemed essential for the further development of their application, installation, and overall effectiveness.

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