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Solar Energy Production for a Decarbonization Scenario in Spain

Author

Listed:
  • Rafael Sánchez-Durán

    (Endesa, Av. de la Borbolla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain)

  • Julio Barbancho

    (Tecnología Electrónica, Universidad de Sevilla, Av, Reina Mercedes s/n, 41004 Sevilla, Spain)

  • Joaquín Luque

    (Tecnología Electrónica, Universidad de Sevilla, Av, Reina Mercedes s/n, 41004 Sevilla, Spain)

Abstract

Solar energy is one of the most promising sources of energy that could be used to address distributed supply problems. Global warming and decarbonization are significant global concerns, particularly for countries that are not fossil fuel providers. This paper presents a study focused on Spain, a country with a favorable location with respect to horizontal irradiance. The study addresses the future energy demand forecast and how photovoltaic energy could supply an important part of electricity needs. Our approach focuses on two analyses. First, several traditional statistical techniques are discussed in order to obtain a model that best suits Spanish energy demand forecasts for the future years. Different algorithms are compared in order to determine which is the most appropriate for the considered purpose. Second, the evolution of solar photovoltaic technology in Spain is analyzed. The latitude of Spanish cities makes them suitable for utilizing this kind of technology. In this sense, seasonal and monthly trends are identified with high levels of detail, considering a large historical dataset. The increase of the capacity of electricity generation based on this procedure is evaluated. Finally, a discussion about matching electricity demand forecasts and photovoltaic production is offered. Considering the selected model for the photovoltaic power of Spain, from 5 to 42 GW in 2030, the Spanish production is determined as 81 TWh. The obtained results suggest that a possible energy transition is feasible. However, some challenges have to be considered, such us the design of an effective strategy to store excess energy produced when generation is higher than electricity demand. In this way, the electrical distribution system could be fed by the stored energy when solar energy production is deficient.

Suggested Citation

  • Rafael Sánchez-Durán & Julio Barbancho & Joaquín Luque, 2019. "Solar Energy Production for a Decarbonization Scenario in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-29, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:24:p:7112-:d:296933
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Umar, Shayan & Waqas, Adeel & Tanveer, Waqas & Shahzad, Nadia & Janjua, Abdul Kashif & Dehghan, Maziar & Qureshi, Muhammad Salik & Shakir, Sehar, 2023. "A building integrated solar PV surface-cleaning setup to optimize the electricity output of PV modules in a polluted atmosphere," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    2. Raquel Fernández-González & Andrés Suárez-García & Miguel Ángel Álvarez Feijoo & Elena Arce & Montserrat Díez-Mediavilla, 2020. "Spanish Photovoltaic Solar Energy: Institutional Change, Financial Effects, and the Business Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-18, March.

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