Solar and Wind Energy Feasibility for a Water Treatment and Recirculation System Intended for Carniculture: Comparative Study Between the Cities Of Monteiro and Sousa – Paraíba – Brazil

Abstract

Objective: This article presents a comparative study of renewable solar and wind energy production capacity between Monteiro and Sousa cities, located in the semi-arid region of Paraíba state, Brazil, to analyze the feasibility of using solar panels and/or wind turbines for energy supply in a water recirculation and treatment model applied to carciniculture. Method: A hypothetical-deductive method was employed and a bibliographic character was adopted in the research, taking as basis technical-scientific work information. Additionally, the research also presents quantitative theory, since it makes use of quantifiable results presented from measurable data that need to be properly expressed. A composite system was proposed, initially consisting of six identical units exposed in Figure 1, disposed under a roof, over which photovoltaic plates are placed for the supply of electrical energy to the hydraulic pumps contained in the system. The modeling study was based on wind speed and solar irradiance data in the cities of Monteiro and Sousa, with coordinates latitude -37.1214299 and longitude -7.8983769, and latitude -38.2285597 and longitude -6.7671611. These information were extracted from the Terraclimate database, using scripts written in Java and Python languages for extraction and processing. To predict wind power energy, the average wind speed in meters per second was used for each month, from January 1st, 2010 to December 31st, 2020. For modeling of photovoltaic power prediction, the average short-wave irradiance (W/m²) per month was considered, during the same period. To establish the monthly mean temperature, the average temperatures in Celsius were considered for the period from January 1st, 2010 to December 31st, 2020. For verification of the sufficiency of wind and photovoltaic systems for energy production maintenance, the energy demand of the System of Carciniculture was compared with the energy production by each of the sources considered, and based on the analysis made, it was defined which is the best energy production systemto be used and the best city where the defined system will be installed. Results and conclusions: The results show that the use of solar energy is economical, reduces social impacts generating employment and elevates environmental awareness, and has low environmental impact. The study found that solar energy generation capacity is sufficient and most suitable to keep the shrimp farming system running throughout the year, with observed variations between 226.8 kWh/month and 299.7 kWh/month in Souza city, and between 232.2 kWh/month and 369.0 kWh/month in Monteiro city, quantities more than enough for energy supply of the shrimp culture system, which presents a demand of 207.4 kWh/month. Implications of the research: The study points out that renewable energy can be an alternative more economical than other methods of energy generation, which could be a positive response to environmental and economic problems affecting the northeastern region, especially along the São Francisco River transposition, where Monteiro and Souza cities are among the last to receive it. Originality/Value: The use of solar energy is a viable solution for providing energy to shrimp culture. Additionally, the study also points out that this method may be more economical than other methods of energy generation.