SOCAR Green: Combining solar and wind energy reduces instability in electricity generation

Hybrid systems based on renewable energy sources serve as a determining factor in ensuring the reliability of power grids under conditions of large-scale deployment of renewable energy sources (RES).

As reported by BAKU.WS with reference to Report, this was announced by Elchin Targuluyev, Director of the Technology and Innovation Department at SOCAR Green, speaking during a panel discussion at the 31st international exhibition "Oil and Gas of the Caspian," taking place in Baku.

"With the growing integration of renewable energy sources into the power system, the very essence of the challenge we face is changing. The question is no longer how to increase the share of RES, but how to do so without compromising the flexibility and reliability of power system operations. It is precisely in this context that hybrid renewable systems are becoming one of the key tools ensuring grid security during large-scale RES deployment. First of all, solar generation has a very specific profile and is highly dependent on meteorological conditions. A similar situation is characteristic of wind energy as well. At the same time, their combined use effectively reduces the variability of energy output. This is due to the fact that solar generation requires clear and calm weather, whereas wind energy, on the contrary, requires more dynamic and variable atmospheric conditions. Thus, these two sources compensate for each other to a certain extent. And the integration of both technologies with energy storage systems makes it possible to achieve a more uniform and reliable energy output," emphasized E. Targuluyev.

In his assessment, this indicates that the further development of renewable energy will be predominantly hybrid in nature.

"However, hybridization also brings with it quite serious challenges. In particular, it is necessary to find a site that has favorable potential for both solar and wind generation, or other combined technologies. As for hydrogen, in my opinion, it will become an integral element of the energy transformation in the coming decade, especially in the pursuit of carbon neutrality. This is primarily explained by the fact that heavy industry enterprises and hard-to-abate sectors cannot simply be electrified. Therefore, intermediate energy carriers are needed — something capable of converting renewable energy into fuel suitable for use at such difficult-to-modernize facilities. And hydrogen is quite capable of fulfilling this function," added the department director.