Wind And Solar Power Generation Becomes More Competitive With Rules For Hybrid Plants

With New Regulation from Aneel, Wind and Solar Power Plant Projects Will Be More Competitive with the Hybrid Model

The National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) has launched a new regulation for the operation of hybrid power plants for electricity generation. Although the new parameters allow the combination of various sources, such as hydroelectric and thermoelectric plants, the main beneficiaries are renewable energies, which may see an increase in productivity.

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According to project developer Casa dos Ventos, for every 1 MW of installed wind energy, it is possible to add up to 35% of solar capacity, as both sources complement each other.

This happens because the peak production of wind energy occurs at night, while solar energy is generated during the day. However, the wind farm pays to use the transmission system based on its total capacity.

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With the rule, during times of low wind energy generation, solar could be included to occupy part of the network capacity.

In addition to new projects that will be executed in a hybrid way, a large part of the operating parks may carry out the installation of new sources in their areas.

Increase in Potential

Casa dos Ventos, for example, believes it can increase the potential of its wind farms, which total over 2,800 MW, with an additional 650 MW of solar energy.

Other companies, such as Enel, already have advanced studies for new hybrid projects and for the adaptation of existing plants. “The model allows for a more efficient use of the same connection,” says Roberta Bonomi from Enel Green Power Brazil, which already has a hybrid power plant in Pernambuco.

According to Aneel, not only the fact that the generation sources complement each other and that the transmission network can be used more efficiently, other factors that also make hybrid plants advantageous are the smoothing of commercial risks and savings in land purchases for project installations.

“The measure contributes to the growth of generation capacity with lower investments in network expansion,” says Aneel director Elisa Bastos in a statement.

Interest from Votorantim

According to Aneel, a pilot plan from Votorantim Metais, which is set to begin execution in 2023, was already approved even before the regulation came into effect.

The initiative includes the wind farm Ventos de São Vicente and the solar complex Sol do Piauí, totaling 68 MW.

Aneel also manages some Research and Development (R&D) programs, which include solar sectors in hydroelectric plants such as Sobradinho, Porto Primavera, Aimorés, and Itumbiara.

“From now on, with the regulation, we will evaluate hybrid projects. Not all 20,000 MW of wind energy in Brazil will have solar plants due to land types, but many can be adapted,” said Elbia Gannoum, president of the Brazilian Wind Energy Association.