Economic and Environmental Study of Wineries Powered by Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems in Spain

Abstract

This research developed a system that can make factories more independent from the grid. The system enhances efficiency since factory operation is powered by the renewable energy generated during the production process. Winemaking is a key sector that can profit from such a system because wineries can recycle much of the waste from the raw materials employed in wine production. Moreover, the solar energy collected at winemaking facilities can also be used to reduce electricity consumption and thus increase energy efficiency. This study investigated the feasibility of using renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, in wineries in Spain, given the quantity of renewable energy produced in the country. For this purpose, cost-effectiveness, power generation, CO 2 emissions and the renewable energy fraction were taken into account. The assumption was that the photovoltaic system was grid-connected. Research results showed a reduction in electrical power costs ranging from 4% to 36%. This reduction was accompanied by an increase in the use of renewable energy of up to 57%. The results obtained are based on self-consumption or net metering policy as well as the production capacity of the winery.

Introduction of Renewable Energy in the Spanish Wine Sector

“…Furthermore, renewable energy technologies are being rapidly improved by continuously increasing their cost efficiency. As a result, at vineyards or wineries, renewable energy could be economically competitive [20], even more so in locations far from electricity grids [21]. In fact, public subsidies for renewable energy are declining and will gradually disappear.…”

Non-Destructive Failure Detection and Visualization of Artificially and Naturally Aged PV Modules

“…One test module (no. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14], which showed a cell crack in the EL image (Figure 3c), supplied UVfluorescence images upon DH storage, as shown in Figure 4. In addition to the fluorescence formed with increasing storage time above the backsheet and the rims of the cells, fluorescence was also observed above the cell crack making it detectable for the observer.…”

“…Electricity generation by photovoltaic systems is strongly gaining in importance with utility scale solar plants already being cost-competitive with wind energy and also fossil fuels and nuclear energy [2]. However, there are still some hurdles to overcome to strengthen the role of PV systems in a global electricity market [2,3] and to let PV develop into a technology which can contribute to the obtainment of local and global sustainable goals [4,5]. The growing PV production rates suggest that new sectors like PV recycling will be essential in the world's transition to a sustainable, economically viable and increasingly renewables-based energy future (as described in detail in the joined International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)/International Energy Agency (IEA) Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS) report on End-of-Life Management of PV panels [4]), [6].…”

“…Induced by the enhanced competition in the PV market over the last decade, the PV industry has experienced tremendous pressure to reduce production costs. At the same time, there is high demand for improving the module's efficiency, reliability and long-term performance [7,8] as well as its sustainability [4][5][6]. In order to be competitive in the market, a warranty of operational lifetimes of 25+ years at a maximum total yield loss of 20% has to be granted [7][8][9][10].…”

Impacts of Array Orientation and Tilt Angles for Photovoltaic Self-Sufficiency and Self-Consumption Indices in Olive Mills in Spain

“…Currently, and due to its modularity and its decreasing cost, photovoltaic systems are very widespread: photovoltaic plants, building integration, stand-alone photovoltaic systems, water pumping, street lights, water desalination, space vehicles, satellites, and agriculture [2]. Regarding the agriculture sector, photovoltaic systems are used in different applications [3,4] such us dairy farms [5], wineries [6], agriculture in sea [7], olive mills [8], etc.…”