Sistemas fotovoltaicos flutuantes: uma solução energética sustentável para a Amazônia?

Abstract

Hydroelectric generation remains the main source of electricity generation in Brazil, with Brazilian Electric Matrix predominantly supplied by renewable sources. Nevertheless, brazilian hydroelectric generation is sensitive to the hydrological cycles of local rivers, impacted by climate change in the next years, negatively interfering in national energy security, moreover, it’s a source with high environmental impacts, including the emission of greenhouse gases. As the unexplored hydroelectric potential of rivers near to big cities are ending, and a large part of the unexplored potential is found in the Amazon region, the construction of hydroelectric power plants in the Amazon is a current topic on the national energy sector, despite the impacts and difficulties of this type of project, with the major example of Balbina power plant. This study aims to analyze the use of floating photovoltaic systems (FVF, in portuguese initials) about reservoirs of large hydroelectric power plants in the Amazon region. Floating photovoltaic systems are large photovoltaic devices installed on the water surface, with photovoltaic modules positioned on floateres. When installed on hydroelectric reservoirs, PVF generation operates autonomously as a traditional photovoltaic plant, or in cooperation with the hydroelectric power plant, to maximize the advantages, like abundance and renewability, and mitigating the fragilities, like the seasonality and intermittence, of both sources. Estimates and models of installation and utilities were made, and after that, sources were analyzed in terms of environmental sustainability, estimating the results in energy terms of the two sources, acting in cooperation, and also in terms of environmental impacts, comparing with the alternative construction of new hydroelectric power plants in the Brazilian Amazon, verifying if the use of this type of technology is better in environmental sustainability subjects. The comparative analysis was made using the Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix. It was found that the environmental impacts are reduced when the FVF operates in addition with the hydroelectric power plant installed in the dam, improving the performance of both installations. Old dams with large reservoirs, poor energy performance and greater environmental liabilities are preferable for installing this type of plant in the Amazon region.