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Assessment of Wind and Solar Power Potential and Their Temporal Complementarity in China’s Northwestern Provinces: Insights from ERA5 Reanalysis

Author

Listed:
  • Wei Fang

    (State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, School of Water Resources and Hydropower, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China)

  • Cheng Yang

    (State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, School of Water Resources and Hydropower, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China)

  • Dengfeng Liu

    (State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, School of Water Resources and Hydropower, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China)

  • Qiang Huang

    (State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, School of Water Resources and Hydropower, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China)

  • Bo Ming

    (State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, School of Water Resources and Hydropower, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China)

  • Long Cheng

    (PowerChina Northwest Engineering Corporation Limited, Xi’an 710065, China)

  • Lu Wang

    (Beijing IWHR Corporation, Beijing 100048, China)

  • Gang Feng

    (State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, School of Water Resources and Hydropower, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China)

  • Jianan Shang

    (State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, School of Water Resources and Hydropower, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China)

Abstract

In the quest to scientifically develop power systems increasingly reliant on renewable energy sources, the potential and temporal complementarity of wind and solar power in China’s northwestern provinces necessitated a systematic assessment. Using ERA5 reanalysis data for wind speed and solar irradiance, an evaluation was carried out to determine the potential and spatial distribution of wind and solar power across these provinces. Land use types and terrestrial surface slopes were considered in gauging this potential. Theoretical wind and solar power outputs were then compared to understand their complementarity on annual, monthly, and hourly temporal scales. This exploration utilized methodologies including rank correlation coefficients, crossover frequency analysis, and standard deviation complementarity rates. Areas such as the Tarim Basin, Jungar Basin, and the northeastern part of Xinjiang, northwestern Qinghai, and northern Gansu were identified as having significant wind and solar power potential, with wind power densities reaching as high as 600 W/m 2 and solar irradiance surpassing 2000 kWh/m 2 . In these energy-rich areas, the distinct complementarity between theoretical wind and solar outputs was discerned. On an annual scale, the complementarity appeared weakest, with only 7.48% of the combined provinces’ area showing medium-level complementarity. On a monthly scale, conversely, a pronounced complementarity was displayed, especially during the March–May and October–November periods. When evaluated on an hourly basis, an impressive 63.63% of the total output duration exhibited complementary characteristics.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Fang & Cheng Yang & Dengfeng Liu & Qiang Huang & Bo Ming & Long Cheng & Lu Wang & Gang Feng & Jianan Shang, 2023. "Assessment of Wind and Solar Power Potential and Their Temporal Complementarity in China’s Northwestern Provinces: Insights from ERA5 Reanalysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-23, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:20:p:7109-:d:1260886
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    References listed on IDEAS

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