Synergy Effects: Combining Solar Energy with Other Renewable Energy Sources
It's no secret that solar energy is not a panacea and never intended to be one. Alongside solar energy, there are other renewable energy sources that, when combined, create an efficient and energy-rich mix. These include wind and water power plants, biogas and hybrid systems, heat pumps, geothermal systems, and, of course, battery storage for the storage and efficiency enhancement of sustainable energies. Combining these with solar energy opens up meaningful possibilities to drive the energy transition.
The Potential of Hybrid Energy Systems: Combining Solar and Wind Power
Solar and wind power complement each other wonderfully. When wind and solar installations are installed in the same location, electricity generation increases, and it partially compensates when the power source of one of the installations fails or is reduced – for example, during darkness or when there is no wind. This type of hybrid system is suitable for stabilizing the yield up to a certain level, ensuring a continuous output. Energy efficiency increases, dependence on fossil fuels decreases, and reliance on the public grid also diminishes.
Solar Energy and Hydropower: A Sustainable Partnership
This combination is particularly exciting because it offers excellent conditions for certain projects. Dams, for example, typically have large, calm water surfaces due to the upstream reservoir. Finding suitable areas is a central issue in wind power, often facing rejection and presenting a challenging problem. The approval of floating solar installations on reservoirs is not barrier-free but generally less complicated than for wind turbines. Moreover, these installations are relatively easy to install and require low maintenance. Preceding the approval process are checks on legal requirements, potential environmental impacts, and technical challenges.
A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has also gained significant attention. The researchers calculated that it would be possible to cover almost half of the world's current electricity demand with solar installations on reservoirs of hydropower plants and water surfaces of pumped storage power plants. This example illustrates how efficient hybrid energy systems can be and how sensible the integration of renewable energies is.
Integration of Solar Energy into Existing Renewable Energy Systems
In general, every form of renewable energy is positive. However, there are solutions that, due to their efficiency, are not particularly effective. The use of each method depends heavily on its meaningfulness, local conditions, legal frameworks, and public acceptance. Solar energy is one of the most widely used forms of sustainable energy generation and is widely accepted by the population. The industry is also working to meet customers' aesthetic demands in addition to functionality. Products are becoming more discreet and technologically advanced. Special developments, such as solar roof tiles used in monument conservation or solar modules that can be color-matched to the roof, are increasingly merging with buildings and are no longer perceived as a disturbance. The generally straight shapes of solar panels align well with contemporary minimalist design concepts. Modern houses are often designed with clean lines, white exteriors, dark gray windows, and black roof tiles. Black solar modules are not only inconspicuous but also often blend well with the design, giving houses a compact and modern appearance. In combination with modern battery storage, a highly efficient mixture is created, resulting in high energy autonomy. The autonomy level can range from 30 to 80 percent, depending on the system's size.
Future Trends: Innovative Combinations of Renewable Energies
The examples, especially solar panels, highlight how crucial synergy effects are in power generation. Renewable energy hybrids already make sense with current technology. However, technology in each area is continuously evolving. Not yet considered is battery technology, which is also progressing rapidly, thanks in part to the automotive industry, which has initiated a significant shift in propulsion technology with electric vehicles. Many are also eagerly awaiting the possibility to use their vehicle as a mobile power storage. A combination of solar energy and mobile energy storage, along with smart home technology, is expected to bring a significant leap in development.
Another hot candidate is hydrogen. The development here is also in full swing. Hydrogen, like battery storage, would be another way to store energy. In combination with solar technology, it would be possible to install island systems in remote locations that prefer hydrogen storage as an energy carrier over batteries for various reasons. The reasons could include the limited capacity of batteries. There are currently no standardized and market-ready systems, but there are already laboratory systems that operate successfully.