Decarbonizing the electricity sector using terawatt-scale interconnected photovoltaic power grids to meet the climate goals: A comprehensive review and a strategic roadmap
High scalability and quick deployability of solar photovoltaic (PV) make it an ideal candidate for rapid decarbonization of electricity. The typical SPV generation profile and power grids designed for conventional power plants (PP) are the major obstacles to maximizing SPV utilization. While energy...
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Elsevier
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Solar Compass |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772940024000225 |
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| author | Saikat Ghosh Jatindra Nath Roy Chandan Chakraborty |
| author_facet | Saikat Ghosh Jatindra Nath Roy Chandan Chakraborty |
| author_sort | Saikat Ghosh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | High scalability and quick deployability of solar photovoltaic (PV) make it an ideal candidate for rapid decarbonization of electricity. The typical SPV generation profile and power grids designed for conventional power plants (PP) are the major obstacles to maximizing SPV utilization. While energy storage systems (ESS) are often deemed critical, scalable ESS are site-limited, highly dependent on rare-earth elements, and either have higher embodied energy and emissions or low round-trip efficiencies. This manuscript demonstrates that by strategically interconnecting SPV power plants longitudinally, PV can meet base load demands and extend availability beyond peak-solar hours, thereby reducing the need for ESS and replacing existing carbon-intensive electricity infrastructure. It is demonstrated by modelling two 12 GW longitudinally separated transmission lines interconnecting SPVPPs situated 40° (case-1) and 90° (case-2) apart can provide PV electricity beyond solar hours for 4.69 and 7.33 equivalent hours (daily average), respectively. For cases 1 and 2, the lithium battery-ESS route can result in 4.76 and 3.35 times more carbon emissions and cost 4.23 and 2.98 times more than the transmission route, respectively, for providing the same energy over the transmission line's 40-year lifespan. Technologies such as multi-terminal ultra-high-voltage-DC grids, hybrid superconductive cables, new semiconductor materials for PV and energy systems, etc. are explored for the globally interconnected solar grid. Findings suggest 90 TWp of PV capacity can supply a significant portion of world's energy demand by 2050. This study outlines a comprehensive approach to build a sustainable and interconnected global solar energy infrastructure that aligns with climate objectives. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ad7d173accb04178bff8c078e4c09295 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2772-9400 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
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| series | Solar Compass |
| spelling | doaj-art-ad7d173accb04178bff8c078e4c092952024-12-12T05:24:37ZengElsevierSolar Compass2772-94002024-12-0112100088Decarbonizing the electricity sector using terawatt-scale interconnected photovoltaic power grids to meet the climate goals: A comprehensive review and a strategic roadmapSaikat Ghosh0Jatindra Nath Roy1Chandan Chakraborty2Advanced Technology Development Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, 721302, India; Corresponding author.Advanced Technology Development Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, 721302, IndiaDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, 721302, IndiaHigh scalability and quick deployability of solar photovoltaic (PV) make it an ideal candidate for rapid decarbonization of electricity. The typical SPV generation profile and power grids designed for conventional power plants (PP) are the major obstacles to maximizing SPV utilization. While energy storage systems (ESS) are often deemed critical, scalable ESS are site-limited, highly dependent on rare-earth elements, and either have higher embodied energy and emissions or low round-trip efficiencies. This manuscript demonstrates that by strategically interconnecting SPV power plants longitudinally, PV can meet base load demands and extend availability beyond peak-solar hours, thereby reducing the need for ESS and replacing existing carbon-intensive electricity infrastructure. It is demonstrated by modelling two 12 GW longitudinally separated transmission lines interconnecting SPVPPs situated 40° (case-1) and 90° (case-2) apart can provide PV electricity beyond solar hours for 4.69 and 7.33 equivalent hours (daily average), respectively. For cases 1 and 2, the lithium battery-ESS route can result in 4.76 and 3.35 times more carbon emissions and cost 4.23 and 2.98 times more than the transmission route, respectively, for providing the same energy over the transmission line's 40-year lifespan. Technologies such as multi-terminal ultra-high-voltage-DC grids, hybrid superconductive cables, new semiconductor materials for PV and energy systems, etc. are explored for the globally interconnected solar grid. Findings suggest 90 TWp of PV capacity can supply a significant portion of world's energy demand by 2050. This study outlines a comprehensive approach to build a sustainable and interconnected global solar energy infrastructure that aligns with climate objectives.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772940024000225PV based Clean Energy TransitionClimate changeDecarbonizationGlobal energy interconnectionOne Sun One World One Grid |
| spellingShingle | Saikat Ghosh Jatindra Nath Roy Chandan Chakraborty Decarbonizing the electricity sector using terawatt-scale interconnected photovoltaic power grids to meet the climate goals: A comprehensive review and a strategic roadmap Solar Compass PV based Clean Energy Transition Climate change Decarbonization Global energy interconnection One Sun One World One Grid |
| title | Decarbonizing the electricity sector using terawatt-scale interconnected photovoltaic power grids to meet the climate goals: A comprehensive review and a strategic roadmap |
| title_full | Decarbonizing the electricity sector using terawatt-scale interconnected photovoltaic power grids to meet the climate goals: A comprehensive review and a strategic roadmap |
| title_fullStr | Decarbonizing the electricity sector using terawatt-scale interconnected photovoltaic power grids to meet the climate goals: A comprehensive review and a strategic roadmap |
| title_full_unstemmed | Decarbonizing the electricity sector using terawatt-scale interconnected photovoltaic power grids to meet the climate goals: A comprehensive review and a strategic roadmap |
| title_short | Decarbonizing the electricity sector using terawatt-scale interconnected photovoltaic power grids to meet the climate goals: A comprehensive review and a strategic roadmap |
| title_sort | decarbonizing the electricity sector using terawatt scale interconnected photovoltaic power grids to meet the climate goals a comprehensive review and a strategic roadmap |
| topic | PV based Clean Energy Transition Climate change Decarbonization Global energy interconnection One Sun One World One Grid |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772940024000225 |
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