Methodology for Analysing Electricity Generation Unit Costs in Renewable Energy Sources (RES)

Abstract

Due to the constant trend of building wind turbine sets and photovoltaic cells, the so-called renewable energy sources, it is important to develop a mathematical model that will allow us to analyse the economic viability of their operation. By using this model, multivariate calculations should be carried out and developed in the form of universal nomograms that will allow us to estimate this viability almost on an immediate basis. In this paper, such a model for the unit cost of electricity production from renewable energy sources is presented. It is based on a continuous-time Net Present Value notation. The multi-variant calculations performed with it take into account different subsidy levels and operating time of the renewable energy sources. The paper presents values of unit costs of electricity production from renewable energy sources and values of maximum subsidies for this production. It turns out that subsidies are necessary for renewable energy sources to exist on the energy market. An additional disadvantage is the fact that renewable energy sources are not able to provide a stable electricity supply throughout the year.