Étude et modélisation du couplage PV/Hydroélectricité

Abstract

Coupling a solar power plant to a hydroelectric scheme can be a relevant solution to optimize the generation of hydraulic energy: increase of productivity and optimization of the annual production (more flexible seasonal storage thanks to the additional solar production). Subject to an optimized solar/hydropower sizing, this hybridization is also relevant for the photovoltaic plant. Hydroelectricity could compensate the variability of solar during daily production drops (cloud effect), thus limiting the impact of solar production on grid stability. The amount of investment required for the installation of the solar plant could be optimized (especially the mutualization of grid interconnection infrastructure and access roads). The assessment of these synergies is complex. A tool has been specifically developed by Tractebel to quantify the synergies for all types of projects, and to identify the optimal operating conditions to maximize these benefits. This article presents the principle of hybridization and the functionalities of the HyPV tool. Examples of results are presented for the hybridization of the Kainji power plant in Nigeria. The conditions for maximizing these synergies are presented at the end of the document.