Competitiveness of Solar and Wind Power Plants in the Countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States

Techno-economic indicators of renewable (solar and wind) and non-renewable energy sources are systematized, taking into account the interval of their uncertainty for the conditions of the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The main attention was paid to Russia and the countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan), where there are the most favorable conditions for the development of solar and wind energy. A comparison of renewable and non-renewable energy sources by the criterion of the cost of generated electricity has been made. It is shown that the payment for greenhouse gas emissions increases the competitiveness of solar and wind power plants in the energy markets. Under favorable conditions for renewable energy, solar and wind installations in some areas can produce cheap electricity at a cost of 3–5 cents/(kW×h). With such values, they can be competitive without additional measures to stimulate their implementation. Using the mathematical model REM-2 (Renewable Energy Model), energy sources of different types were compared taking into account system effects. The power supply system consists of photovoltaic converters, wind turbines that enable the possibility of short-term accumulation of electricity and power consumption from a backup power source. Modeling of photoelectric converters and wind turbines operating modes was performed by time (hours) for different values of solar radiation arrival and wind speed. The optimal ratios between electricity production by photovoltaic converters and wind turbines, as well as the optimal level of electricity consumption from the network under different climatic and economic conditions, were determined. The economic efficiency of joint use of solar and wind energy in the CIS countries, primarily in Russia (with the exception of the northern regions) and the countries of Central Asia, is shown.

1. Renewables 2018. Global Status Report. Paris: REN21, 2019. 336.

2. Belyaev L. S., Marchenko O. V., Filippov S. P., Solomin S. V. (2006) Studies on Competitiveness of Space and Terrestrial Solar Power Plants Using Global Energy Model. International Journal of Global Energy Issue, 25 (1–2), 94–108. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJGEI.2006.008386.

3. Maronchuk I. I., Sanikovich D. D., Mironchuk V. I. (2019) Solar Cells: Current State and Development Prospects. Energetika. Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii i Energeticheskikh Ob’edinenii SNG = Energetika. Proceedings of the CIS Higher Education Institutions and Power Engineering Associations, 62 (2), 105–123. https://doi.org/10.21122/1029-7448-2019-62-2-105-123 (in Russian).

4. Petrusha U. S., Papkova N. A. (2019) The Prospects for Wind Energy Development in the Republic of Belarus. Energetika. Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii i Energeticheskikh Ob’edinenii SNG = Energetika. Proceedings of the CIS Higher Education Institutions and Power Engineering Associations, 62 (2), 124–134. https://doi.org/10.21122/1029-7448-2019-62-2-124-134 (in Russian).

5. State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2018. Washington: World Bank, 2019. 97.

6. Marchenko O. V., Podkovalnikov S. V., Savelyev V. A., Solomin S. V., Chudinova L. Y. Russia in Eurasian Electric Power Integration (2018) World Economy and International Relations, 62 (6), 18–29. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2018-62-6-18-29 (in Russian).

7. Renewable Energy Statistics 2019. Abu Dhabi: IRENA, 2019. 60.

8. Renewables 2019. Analysia and Forecasts to 2024. Paris: IEA, 2019. 204.

9. EEC, ECEPC of the CIS and ESCATO Will Elaborate Recommendations for the Development of the Electricity Sector. Available at: http://www.eurasiancommission.org/ru/nae/news/Pages/ 05-11-2019-2.aspx. (Accessed 11 December 2019) (in Russian).

10. Marchenko O. V. (2010) Mathematical Modeling and Economic Efficiency Assessment of Autonomous Energy Systems with Production and Storage of Secondary Energy Carriers. International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, 10 (5), 250–255. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijlct/ctq031.

11. Marchenko O. V., Solomin S. V. (2015) Investigation of Ecological Constraints Influence on Competitiveness of Nuclear Power Plants. Nuclear Energy and Technology, 1 (4), 277–282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucet.2016.02.016.

12. Bogdanov D., Breyer C. (2015) Eurasian Super Grid for 100 % Renewable Energy Supply: Generation and Storage Technologies in the Cost Optimal Mix. Neo-Carbon Energy 4th Researchers’ Seminar, October 19–20, 2015, 41–48.

13. Energy Outlook for Asia and the Pacific. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Asian Development Bank, 2015. 543.

14. Electricity Prices (March 2019). Available at: https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/electricity_prices. (Аccessed 12 December 2019).