StoryMaps
Solar energy
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Introduction
EnerMaps is a Horizon 2020 (H2020) Coordination and Support Action (CSA) project that aims at improving data management practices in energy research and management. Currently, energy data is often difficult to find, mixed in different repositories, and fragmented, which can slow progresses, increase costs, and create an overall lack of efficiency in the field of energy research. EnerMaps will act as a quality-checked database of crucial energy data that will communicate and disseminate data effectively and efficiently using practices to make the data findable, accessible, interoperable, and re-usable (FAIR).
The objective of this storymap is to increase the accessibility to the EnerMaps tools and improve the discoverability of selected datasets. StoryMaps are an efficient way to present spatial data for all audience and we hope that specialists and non specialists will enjoy the reading. Feedback is more than welcome using the form below and please share!
In recent years, the effects of climate change have been increasingly felt around the world. To limit these impacts, a massive reduction of carbon emissions must be achieved, in particular by changing the energy supply systems. For centuries, the energy systems of European countries, as with many other countries in the world, have been based on fossil fuels. This type of energy sources has a considerable impact on the environment by causing emissions and pollution of all kinds. To counter these harmful effects, and stand a chance of mitigating climate change, a widespread integration of renewable energy sources in the energy systems should be achieved in the short term. According to the French National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), energy sources are defined as renewable when energy derives from a natural process and is constantly renewed. These energy sources can be divided into five categories: wind, hydraulic, geothermal, biomass and solar. Among them, solar has the largest potential and should be deployed rapidly.
Production and growth
In 2020, despite an economic context disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the share of renewable energy in the energy supply continued to increase, as recalled the International Energy Agency (IEA). Indeed, during this year, we have witnessed a record growth in photovoltaic production from 665 TWh to 821 TWh globally, an increase of 23%. According to the IEA’s Net Zero Emission scenario, this figure is expected to rise to 6 970 TWh by 2030. Assuming that at least the current efforts will be maintained, a similar growth could be observed in the coming years. In fact, the amount of energy offered by renewable energy sources varies greatly over time and space. However, solar energy often represents the best chance to reach an energy autonomy. What is behind the term “energy autonomy”? We speak of energy autonomy when the energy producer is also the consumer, in other words a prosumer. Moreover, the energy produced is sufficient to satisfy the entire energy demand.
Energy planning with the right combination of energy sources can lead to a high level of energy autonomy, rain or shine, winter or summer. This is precisely what the tools made available by the EnerMaps project allows, the evaluation of multiple energy sources, especially solar photovoltaic, at low spatial resolution across Europe. The tools also map supply and demand and help prioritize where renewable energy sources should be exploited now. Of course, it requires efforts, but a few territories already show that achieving a high level of energy autonomy is possible, especially by integrating more solar energy in the system. The island of Gotland in Sweden is a perfect example. For years, emissions per capita on the island have been up to five times higher than in the rest of the country. This is one of the reasons why the Swedish government chose this region as a case study for evaluating the potential for renewable energy deployment. The University of Uppsala in Sweden estimated that solar and wind resources were sufficient to meet energy demand. The challenge for Gotland is storage on an island to compensate for the intermittent nature of renewable energy.
Energy planning with the right combination of energy sources can lead to a high level of energy autonomy, rain or shine, winter or summer. This is precisely what the tools made available by the EnerMaps project allows, the evaluation of multiple energy sources, especially solar photovoltaic, at low spatial resolution across Europe. The tools also map supply and demand and help prioritize where renewable energy sources should be exploited now. Of course, it requires efforts, but a few territories already show that achieving a high level of energy autonomy is possible, especially by integrating more solar energy in the system. The island of Gotland in Sweden is a perfect example. For years, emissions per capita on the island have been up to five times higher than in the rest of the country. This is one of the reasons why the Swedish government chose this region as a case study for evaluating the potential for renewable energy deployment. The University of Uppsala in Sweden estimated that solar and wind resources were sufficient to meet energy demand. The challenge for Gotland is storage on an island to compensate for the intermittent nature of renewable energy.
Opportunity evaluation
By integrating the most accurate data on solar potential, the EnerMaps tool can assist all energy planners and decision makers in determining the best locations in their region to deploy photovoltaic. The potential of this source varies considerably according to geographical location. Thus, the question is no longer should solar be integrated into the energy system? but rather where should solar be integrated into the energy system? One might also ask questions regarding photovoltaic technologies, such as whether solar tracking – panels which follow the sun – can increase supply in winter months. All these questions can be answered thanks to the EnerMaps Data Management Tools (EDMT).
To assess the solar potential, imagine a first estimate calculated by mapping the expected solar power on a horizontal panel. Among the many datasets available on the EDMT are the solar radiation datasets produced by the Climate Monitoring Satellite Application Facility. The values on this map are obtained by averaging the solar irradiation values measured between 2007 and 2016, considering both day and night-time. In a first approach, these values can be considered as equivalent to what is observed nowadays.
To assess the solar potential, imagine a first estimate calculated by mapping the expected solar power on a horizontal panel. Among the many datasets available on the EDMT are the solar radiation datasets produced by the Climate Monitoring Satellite Application Facility. The values on this map are obtained by averaging the solar irradiation values measured between 2007 and 2016, considering both day and night-time. In a first approach, these values can be considered as equivalent to what is observed nowadays.
Not surprisingly, the highest values are obtained in the summer period, during the month of June. The irradiance over Europe is shown here on a monthly basis. The maximum values reach up to 350 W/m2 in southern Europe, that’s more power than 3 refrigerators. Intuitively, the orientation of the panels has an influence on the amount of energy captured, especially in temperate latitudes. Does the tilt of the panels have an influence on the energy production of the panels? The EDMT provides maps illustrating the average monthly irradiation perceived by panels tilted at an optimal angle between 2007 and 2016. This dataset provides valuable information for a good understanding of the problem.
Caption: The evolution of the solar potential over the year, month by month
Not surprisingly, the highest values are obtained in the summer period, during the month of June. The irradiance over Europe is shown here on a monthly basis. The maximum values reach up to 350 W/m2 in southern Europe, that’s more power than 3 refrigerators. Intuitively, the orientation of the panels has an influence on the amount of energy captured, especially in temperate latitudes. Does the tilt of the panels have an influence on the energy production of the panels? The EDMT provides maps illustrating the average monthly irradiation perceived by panels tilted at an optimal angle between 2007 and 2016. This dataset provides valuable information for a good understanding of the problem.
Caption: The evolution of the solar potential over the year, month by month
Of course, it requires an additional effort, but we can also consider a solar tracking technology. With this solution, the solar panel will be able to change its orientation and inclination depending on the time of day, in other words the position of the sun in the sky. By comparing these two technologies with the solar power above, the maximum annual value can be doubled to reach more than 700 W/m2. In Europe, the maps also show that on average, solar tracking solutions offer a higher potential. This potential is even more important between the months of April and September. As with the solar potential on horizontal panels, the difference between the two technologies is mainly in southern Europe.
Caption: The evolution of the solar potential over the year, optimal inclined
Of course, it requires an additional effort, but we can also consider a solar tracking technology. With this solution, the solar panel will be able to change its orientation and inclination depending on the time of day, in other words the position of the sun in the sky. By comparing these two technologies with the solar power above, the maximum annual value can be doubled to reach more than 700 W/m2. In Europe, the maps also show that on average, solar tracking solutions offer a higher potential. This potential is even more important between the months of April and September. As with the solar potential on horizontal panels, the difference between the two technologies is mainly in southern Europe.
Caption: The evolution of the solar potential over the year, optimal inclined
Thus, solar energy has a large role to play in the energy transition. The potential of solar can also be increased by choosing to tilt the solar panel optimally or by opting for solar tracking technology. The latter solution offers an increase in potential, especially in regions in the south of Europe during a large part of the year. That explains why solar represents a great opportunity to decarbonize energy systems and limit fossil fuel emissions, in energetic terms. The economics can even be more advantageous, but that is for another story.
Caption: The evolution of the solar potential over the year, solar tracking
Thus, solar energy has a large role to play in the energy transition. The potential of solar can also be increased by choosing to tilt the solar panel optimally or by opting for solar tracking technology. The latter solution offers an increase in potential, especially in regions in the south of Europe during a large part of the year. That explains why solar represents a great opportunity to decarbonize energy systems and limit fossil fuel emissions, in energetic terms. The economics can even be more advantageous, but that is for another story.
Caption: The evolution of the solar potential over the year, solar tracking