Solarletter #4_EN - Solar Hydrogen Storage
Also: Distributors are slowing down the take-off of self-consumption. Some manufacturers are coming to an agreement to standardize dimensions. Moreover, a photovoltaic park has been devastated by hail
Please note that text below has been translated from the spanish version by using AI
Hello everyone and welcome back to Solarletter. My name is Imanol Matanza, and I aim to share with you the latest news, technological advancements, and trends in the field of photovoltaic energy. Through Solarletter, I hope to provide you with valuable information, market analysis, state-of-the-art updates, and practical tips that will help you stay informed about the latest developments in the photovoltaic industry.
I am always open to suggestions, questions, and comments, so please feel free to contact me. If you like it, don't hesitate to subscribe and share!
It took me a little longer this time to prepare the edition, but it has not been in vain because I have created the Solarletter logo. For those who came recommended by Windletter, you will find something familiar since the wind turbines have been demolished from the hill to make way for photovoltaic power :D. For those who are not yet familiar with Windletter's, I advise you to take a look, as if you are interested in the renewable energy world, you will enjoy its content.
First of all, before beginning with the news, I would also like to comment on a small mistake in the data shared in Solarletter #3 regarding the estimates for 2030. Kiko Maza was very kind and corrected me on the figures. The PNIEC was presented in 2021, and an update is expected this year, 2023. As I mentioned in the previous edition:
As you can see, there are already moments when the electricity price drops dramatically, even reaching €0/MWh. This happens with an installed capacity of 30.28 GW of wind power and 21.45 GW of photovoltaic power, according to data from the Spanish Electric Grid (Red Eléctrica Española REE). However, by 2030, it is projected to increase these capacities to 50 GW and 39 GW, respectively, which means a 66% increase in installed wind power and an 82% increase in photovoltaic power. And I'm not saying this; it's according to the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC).
However, in the draft of the PNIEC update, they talk about 62.044 GW of wind power and 76.387 GW of photovoltaic power. Undoubtedly, a quite significant increase.
Now, let's go with the news for this week!
Hydrogen energy storage
Many people talk about the low prices of renewable energies, and when discussing the storage issue, they see green hydrogen generation as the perfect way to store that surplus production.
Why not? During windy and sunny moments, electrolyzers could be put into operation to produce that green hydrogen. Then, during energy demand, electricity could be generated using fuel cells. The perfect plan for ecological transition, problem solved.
Is green hydrogen the perfect panacea for the variability of renewable energies?
Here, Marcos Rupérez Cerqueda has prepared a magnificent post, and if you haven't heard of him yet, I recommend following him as he's an expert in hydrogen and often shares his knowledge on social media.
With some basic calculations, he shows how even considering an optimistic scenario, hydrogen storage seems to be far from profitability.
In his estimation, he makes the following assumptions:
Hydrogen is produced every day during off-peak periods to inject energy during peak periods.
Every day, 6 MWh of surplus production are stored at €0/MWh.
The efficiency of a Solid Oxide Electrolyser (SOE) type electrolyzer reaches 72%.
The cost of this electrolyzer falls to half of the current cost.
Even in such an optimistic scenario, the selling price of the generated electricity should be above €148/MWh. Below is a table with the different scenarios created:
As Marcos points out, the main problem lies in the overall efficiency of the process. For every 4 MWh taken from the grid to produce hydrogen, only 1.2 MWh are injected back. The efficiency of the electrolyzer combined with the efficiency of the fuel cell causes the overall efficiency of the entire process to drop to around 30%.
It seems that green hydrogen is viable, but not specifically for its use in storage.
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Electric distributors in Spain are hindering the take-off of self-consumption
A couple of weeks ago, the "Alianza por el Autoconsumo" (Alliance for Self-Consumption) published a report providing a diagnosis of the current situation of self-consumption in Spain, identifying the main challenges it faces, and offering a series of proposals and solutions.
According to the report, electric distributors (Iberdrola, Naturgy, Endesa, etc.) are the main barrier to self-consumption. Their data shows that 99% of the ongoing installations are residential and industrial without surplus, as they do not require access and connection processes.
Despite the Real Decreto Ley 14/2022 establishing a maximum time of 2 months for the activation of self-consumption installations with compensation for surpluses, the reality is that the process often takes around 10 months and can even be extended up to 24 months. Some common issues they have encountered include:
Lack of adaptation of the process to self-consumption legislation.
Undue delays in processing applications or incoherent responses.
Unjustified and abusive demands from distributors for modifications in linking installations or the grid, leading to significant additional costs (sometimes increasing installation costs by 100%), which should be the distributor's responsibility.
Imposition of obligations without legal support or inappropriate requests for information.
Improper cancellation of applications.
Lack of coordination and delays in technician visits for verification and unjustified rejections.
Irregularities in billing, reading, and compensation processes.
Failure to establish adequate information and complaint channels.
According to the Alliance, the solutions to facilitate the take-off of self-consumption, especially for collective self-consumption, include:
Standardizing state-level requirements for processing applications.
Implementing a single window for self-consumption procedures.
Removing obstruction and delays from electric distributors.
Resolving issues with industrial self-consumption and surplus management.
Facilitating the management of collective self-consumption.
Regulating the figure of the collective self-consumption manager.
Implementing a sanctions regime for malpractices and non-compliance with legal deadlines.
Establishing a public registry of self-consumption.
Setting up state and regional self-consumption working groups with participation from stakeholders.
The report also includes a couple of tables with their data:
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The leading manufacturers agree to standardize the dimensions of photovoltaic modules
Jinko Solar recently shared news about how they, along with other leading companies in the industry such as Canadian Solar, Risen Energy, JA Solar, LONGi, TW Solar, Trina Solar, Astronergy, and DAS Solar, have come to an agreement to standardize the dimensions of photovoltaic modules. The agreed-upon size is 2,382 mm in length and 1,134 mm in width.
The main goal of this standardization is to address the challenges posed by the current variation in module dimensions. These variations negatively affect the supply chain, lead to material waste, and create difficulties in the design of photovoltaic installations. By introducing standard dimensions for these modules, optimized utilization of containers can be achieved. This move is expected to improve efficiency and reduce waste in the photovoltaic industry.
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Hail devastates a photovoltaic park in Nebraska
On June 29th, as reported by Fox News, a 4.4 MWp photovoltaic park in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, was severely damaged by a powerful hailstorm.
Cases like these highlight the importance of having insurance to safeguard the economic viability of the project. In moments like these, the insurance associated with the photovoltaic installation should cover the damages caused by adverse weather conditions.
In the coming years, recycling the different components of a photovoltaic installation, especially solar modules, will become increasingly important. France alone recycled 3,800 tons in 2022. Other countries, like the Netherlands, are already imposing "recycling fees" on the sale of modules to promote proper disposal and recycling practices. As the photovoltaic industry grows, responsible recycling and waste management will play a crucial role in minimizing environmental impact.
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Edition´s microtip
Let us move on to the editorial advice. What do you think about covers for cable trays? Do you believe that cables should be covered? Only DC or AC cables? The truth is, I always encounter arguments from both sides, and that is why I would like to compile a collection of the most commonly used and heard arguments:
Cables exposed to the elements will heat up and degrade at a faster rate due to atmospheric conditions. Therefore, using covers can help reduce cable deterioration and aging, especially in areas with extreme climates.
Covers can become poorly fastened and be blown away during storms.
Covers create higher wind resistance, potentially causing movement of the entire system, including the cable trays.
Covers can provide a perfect shelter for small rodents, protecting them from harsh weather and the heat generated by cable losses. Over time, rodents may scratch or bite the cables, leading to potential short circuits and fires.
What is clear is that regardless of the decision made, it is essential to ensure that the covers are securely fastened (using metal ties, metal clips, etc.), properly anchored, grounded, and slightly elevated to avoid water accumulation in certain areas.
All of this, along with a well-planned preventive maintenance program tailored to the installation's needs, will ensure its longevity without any unexpected surprises.
That concludes the edition. I hope you enjoyed and it made your coffee break, public transportation ride, or nap more enjoyable. If you have any suggestions, recommendations, or comments, feel free to reply to this email.
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Sunny Regards!