Key global energy, environmental and sustainability targets are closely related to the development of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). This includes reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions and safe energy provision in a sustainable manner. The integration of RES in the energy mix needs to overcome the technical challenges that are related to grid's operation. Therefore, there is an increasing need to explore approaches where different RES will operate under a synergetic approach. A straightforward way to achieve that is by optimizing the complementarity among RES systems both over time and spatially. The present article developed a methodology that examines the degree of time complementarity between small hydropower stations (SHPS) and adjacent solar PV systems (SPVS). The methodology builds on an optimization algorithm that associates hydrological with solar irradiation information. In particularly, the algorithm examines possible alterations on the PV system installation (azimuth, tilt) that increase the complementarity, with minor compromises in the total solar energy output. The methodology has been tested in a case study and the outcome indicated that a compromise of 10% in the solar energy output (90% threshold) may result in a significant increase of the complementarity (66.4%).JRC.F.7-Renewables and Energy Efficienc

Pumped hydroelectric storage (PHS) is the main utility-scale storage technology. Although PHS systems generally constitute a fraction of generation, they receive increasing attention due to their potential balancing role towards higher penetration of variable renewable energy sources (RES). In the European context it is widely believed that PHS are key elements of the ongoing energy transition. The present analysis examines if this assumption is valid and PHS utilization grows parallel to RES. We collected, harmonised and analysed datasets for 1991-2016 revealing an uneven utilization among European states. While certain countries increased the utilization rates of PHS by a factor of three to four, in several others PHS units are heavily under-utilized. In three extreme cases the utilization rate, compared to the past, is at 10-25% level. We analysed this controversy by identifying tendencies in the electricity markets, ownership and management status in the various countries, as well as competition with other technologies with balancing potential. Finally, we developed a new approach to display PHS tendencies in a compact picture. Building on the growth-share matrix Economics framework, we identified the strategic direction of PHS for each of the analysed countries.JRC.C.2-Energy Efficiency and Renewable

Grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems with batteries storage as solution