A hydro–solar hybrid system is an important solution for expanding renewable generation capacity under the percepts of the energy transition. This type of association allows for the coordinated dispatch of solar and hydropower plants, resulting in operational benefits in terms of energy generation and reservoir management, that is, the better use of available water and energy resources. As in this case, the operation of the hydropower plant is associated with the cascade in which it operates, when it is hybridized (for example, by associating with a solar power plant), in addition to local changes, there are impacts on the operating conditions of the other hydropower plants in the same cascade. From such a perspective, this study presents an energy system management model for hybrid power plants composed of hydro and solar sources, aiming to optimize the joint operation and measure the operational consequences at the local level and in the cascade. The results from a case study of a hydro–solar power plant hybridization in the Tietê River (Brazil) revealed increased energy production and improvement in the operating conditions of the cascade’s reservoirs, while the grid capacity was found to be an important constraint that limits the capture of synergies resulting from the generation sources complementarity and thus on the benefits to the cascade.

In the context of high energy costs and energy transition, the optimal use of energy resources for industrial consumption is of fundamental importance. This paper presents a decision-making structure for large consumers with flexibility to manage electricity or natural gas consumption to satisfy the demands of industrial processes. The proposed modelling energy system structure relates monthly medium and hourly short-term decisions to which these agents are subjected, represented by two connected optimization models. In the medium term, the decision occurs under uncertain conditions of energy and natural gas market prices, as well as hydropower generation (self-production). The monthly decision is represented by a risk-constrained optimization model. In the short term, hourly optimization considers the operational flexibility of energy and/or natural gas consumption, subject to the strategy defined in the medium term and mathematically connected by a regret cost function. The model application of a real case of a Brazilian aluminum producer indicates a measured energy cost reduction of USD 3.98 millions over a six-month analysis period.

In the context of high energy costs and energy transition, the optimal use of energy resources for industrial consumption is fundamental. This paper presents a decision-making structure for large consumers having flexibility to manage electricity or natural gas consume to satisfy the demands of industrial processes. The proposed modelling energy system structure relates monthly medium and hourly short-term decisions to which these agents are subjected, represented by two connected optimization models. In the medium term, the decision occurs under uncertain conditions of energy and natural-gas market prices, as well as hydropower generation (self-production). The monthly decision is represented by a risk-constrained optimization model. In the short term, hourly optimization considers the operational flexibility of energy and/or natural-gas consumption, subject to the strategy defined in the medium term and mathematically connected by a regret cost function. The model application of a real case of a Brazilian aluminum producer indicates a measured energy cost reduction of U$ 3.98 million over a six-month analysis period.

A capacidade instalada global de empreendimentos de Energia Solar Concentrada tem aumentado ao longo dos anos, atingindo a marca de aproximadamente 6 GW instalados em 2017. Acompanhando esta tendência, no Brasil, em virtude das características territoriais serem propícias para a implantação destes tipos de tecnologias e de recentes iniciativas governamentais de fomento como a chamada de Projeto Estratégico de P&D nº19/2015 da ANEEL–“Desenvolvimento de Tecnologia Nacional de Geração Heliotérmica de Energia Elétrica”, torna-se oportuno analisar opções de mecanismos de incentivo e questões regulatórias que possam promover a competitividade desta incipiente fonte no território nacional. Portanto, este estudo objetiva justamente abordar estas relevantes questões, tendo como embasamento experiências internacionais e nacionais que tiveram objetivos similares de fomento.