Search

The operation of solar photovoltaic installations for many years may lead to problems such as reduced energy efficiency and aging of components. Under this framework, replacing certain components in the facility to extend the service life of the power plant is viewed, in some cases, as a feasible strategy. However, despite its enormous strategic interest for the solar PV industry, we find that revamping PV installations has been the focus of very few scientific publications, and even less so when it comes to analyzing real facilities. Thus, this paper performs a techno-economic analysis of three revamping strategies at a real PV power plant located in the south-east of Spain. The strategies consist of substituting, in each case, the PV modules, the inverter, and both components. The simulated results show that the highest production value by installed power is obtained when both the modules and the inverter are replaced. In the same vein, the economic analysis reveals this scenario as the most favorable in terms of profitability. Based on the results obtained, an interesting future line of research would be focused on the extension of the analysis at country level to study the joint impact of numerous revamping actions. • Techno-economic analysis of revamping projects of a real solar PV power plant. • Replacing modules and inverter emerges as the most feasible strategy. • Study's applicability extends to other revamping initiatives and geographical regions. • Economic outcomes allow the most cost-effective alternatives to be determined. • This research can contribute to efficient and sustainable energy planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • HEH provides new power supply solutions for marine and river monitoring equipment. • Mixed use of PEH and EMH improves prototype output performance. • The use of non-contact magnetism can improve service life. • Prototypes can easily power some commercial sensing electronics. Water contains a great amount of potential energy, out of this, an energy harvesting and converting solution from water is very promising for green renewable energy. In this paper, a hybrid energy harvester (HEH) is proposed, which has a combination of piezoelectric and electromagnetic mechanisms for energy conversion. Two piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEH) and two electromagnetic energy harvesters (EMH) can work synchronously to achieve high-performance output. The structural variables of the prototype are studied and analyzed through the self-designed experimental test system. When the prototype is assembled with optimal structural parameters, the maximum output voltages of a single PEH and EMH are 56.24 V and 1.016 V. The maximum output power of HEH is 22.78mW, which is 21 % higher than that of PEH and 253011 % higher than that of EMH. Subsequent underwater tests and a series of application tests were performed to verify the performance of the HEH, showing that it can easily power some commercially available sensors and small electronic devices. Experimental results show that HEH is promising in wireless self-powering and self-sensing. It provides a new power supply scheme for laying power supply without grid for monitoring equipment in deep sea and ocean environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]