Estudo da integração das fontes solar e hídrica em Corumana como alternativa de resposta à demanda energética na zona sul do país

Abstract

Renewable energy sources strictly depend on favorable climatic conditions for their continuous operation. When operating individually, they are not considered firm energies that guarantee the required dispatch, thereby necessitating equivalent amounts of their installed capacity in spinning reserves to ensure reliable system operation, which increases the operational cost of these sources. Therefore, integrating two renewable energy sources diversifies the energy matrix, reduces dependence on a single energy source, and mitigates the environmental impacts associated with energy generation. This significantly enhances the region's energy security, ensuring a stable and reliable electricity supply for local communities and businesses. This study aims to share the challenges, benefits, and solutions of integrating solar and hydro energy in Corumana through an innovative and sustainable approach to boost energy progress in the southern region of the country. To achieve this, a literature review was first conducted based on research from specialized journals (with a focus on IEEE), communications from published and presented papers in scientific and engineering events concerning the state of the art on the subject. Subsequently, computational simulations were performed using tools such as MATLAB, PV SOL, CADE_Simu, Miro Design, and Excel to assist in the dimensioning calculations of the solar power plant, allowing for the study of the behavior and dynamic performance of the proposed hybrid system. The study identified an alternative to integrating the two sources into a hybrid operating regime, in which a control logic was developed to monitor both plants (hydro and solar) and manage the switching circuit responsible for enabling and disabling the sources. The results obtained from simulations in MATLAB and CADeSIMU support the feasibility of proper integration, demonstrating satisfactory operation that maximizes local electricity production, leveraging the region's favorable natural conditions and meeting the expected demand in the southern part of the country, thus promoting a sustainable energy transition in Mozambique.