Climate and Environmental Benefit Study of PV Resource Development: Case Study of Angola

Abstract

Vigorously promoting the development of photovoltaic (PV) resources is a positive measure taken by humanity in response to the changes in global climate and environment. At the same time, combining photovoltaic power generation systems with traditional power generation systems, using the advantages of different power generation systems to achieve real-time scheduling optimization has become an urgent problem to be solved in engineering applications. This paper attempts to study the climate and environmental benefits of the development of photovoltaic resource in Africa by taking Angola as an example based on actual project data. According to the characteristics, load requirements, seasonal characteristics and actual engineering background of Tombwa in Angola, a baseline Scenario and four comparative Scenarios were established, and the operating costs of the five Scenarios in local rainy season and dry season were obtained respectively. The cost of electricity for the five Scenarios calculated subsequently. Through real-time scheduling and optimization of the software, the emission characteristics of CO2, NOx and CO under five Scenarios are obtained, and the climate benefits and environmental benefits of the five scenarios are further analyzed and compared. The results show that the development of photovoltaic resources in Angola has good climate and environmental benefits. In addition, the combine application of diesel, PV and battery power system will be the most effective of the five Scenarios to reduce the CO2 emissions with the lowest levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of 0.38 yuan/kwh, as a cost-effective solution in remote areas of Angola, Africa.

Innovative Solar Concentration Systems and Its Potential Application in Angola

“…Therefore, it is too costly to supply energy to a small number of people located in rural areas [35]. The solution implemented by the government was the implementation of Hybrid Power Systems (HPS) through solar photovoltaic panels, small wind turbines, diesel engines, micro gas turbines, and energy storage systems to supply populations located in remote areas [1]. HPS currently represents 0.6% of the total installed capacity.…”

“…Angola is a vast country, with 1,246,700 km 2 , whose energy sector suffers severe shortages of power production supply mainly due to weak power infrastructures, which constrained its development [1]. Moreover, it is estimated that in 2019, 58% of the population did not have access to electricity, mostly due to the huge costs involved with the installation of large grid-connected power lines over vast distances to supply a small number of individuals [2].…”

“…According to data published in 2016 by the Angolan Ministry of Energy and Waters [33], the energy sector in Angola is characterized by a low consumption per capita (about 375 kWh per inhabitant), resulting from a low electrification rate. Data from 2021 show that about 42% of the population has access to electricity, of which 37.8% through connection to the national electricity grid [1]. The provinces in the inland of the country have the lowest levels of access rates, such as Bié, Cunene, and Lunda Norte, which are around 10%, while in Luanda, the access rate is 66%, and in Cabinda, it is 52% [33,34].…”