Solar, wind and hydrogen - all at once!

Renewable electricity generation is growing - and is expected to continue growing in the future. The technologies with the greatest growth potential are wind and solar power - and the two can be easily combined, both with each other and with other technologies. Hybrid generation is an international trend.

Energy production from solar and wind is weather dependent and thus not plannable in the same way as other electricity technologies such as hydropower, CHP and electricity from biogas plants. On the other hand, it is now relatively easy to make short-term forecasts based on local and regional weather forecasts, which makes it easier to plan electricity production and the electricity system. Furthermore, there is a strong so-called complementarity between solar and wind. When the sun is at its brightest, it tends to be less windy and the wind increases or decreases at dawn and dusk.

An international trend is so-called hybrid parks, where solar and wind power are co-located. Often, electricity production is also combined with some form of energy storage, such as batteries or hydrogen production. In this way, the hybrid farm can provide a more consistent supply of electricity to the grid. It is also cost-effective to share the same infrastructure, such as access to electricity grids.

Main benefits

• Cost savings - both capital and operating costs can be reduced by sharing existing infrastructure and land. Combining storage and generation allows more efficient use of connected grid capacity or less connected grid capacity.
• Faster grid connection - currently the process of grid connection can take a long time if the grid is strained. With co-location, it may be possible to connect much earlier by using an existing grid connection.
• Revenue stacking - batteries or other energy storage can be used to avoid overcapacity against grid connection or shift electricity generation to the grid from when prices are low to times when prices are higher. Hybrid farms with batteries also increase the possibility to participate in flexibility and ancillary services
• Permitting - a common permitting process through co-location can both simplify and reduce resources for permitting than would have been the case for separate facilities. This is true for both the energy operator and the permitting authority.

Want to know more? Click on the link below to read the full overview written by Mats Bjälkholm within the Power West project.