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Written by Christos Kougevetopoulos, head of opperations at Wattcrop.

What happens to solar panels and wind turbines when they reach the end of their useful life? 

As the world transitions towards renewable energy sources, the demand for solar panels and wind turbines has significantly increased. However, as with any technology, these devices have a limited lifespan and eventually need to be replaced. This raises an important question – what happens to solar panels and wind turbines when they reach the end of their useful life? The answer lies in the concept of recycling.

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Written by Riki Argyropoulou, junior surveyor at Wattcrop 

What is hydroelectric power?

Hydroelectric power is a form of renewable energy that harnesses the power of water to generate electricity. It works by using the kinetic energy of falling water or the movement of water through a turbine to spin a generator, which produces electricity. The water used in hydroelectric power can come from various sources, such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

The process of generating hydroelectric power begins with the construction of a dam or a water diversion structure, which is used to create a large reservoir. Water is then released from the reservoir, and its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as it falls down a steep incline. This moving water then drives the turbines, which spin the generator and produce electricity.

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Written by Wattcrop team

A colocated solar park is a facility that combines solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with a battery energy storage system (BESS) to provide reliable and efficient electricity to the grid. The optimal ratio of PV to BESS in a colocated solar park depends on several factors, including the location of the facility, the size and type of the PV panels and BESS, and the expected energy demand.

One important factor to consider is the amount of solar insolation, or sunlight, that the location receives. In areas with high solar insolation, a higher ratio of PV to BESS may be more efficient, as the PV panels will produce more electricity than the BESS can store. In areas with lower solar insolation, a lower ratio of PV to BESS may be more appropriate, as the BESS will be able to store more of the electricity produced by the PV panels.

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Πρώτη δημοσίευση: CLIMA 21

Του Υπάτιου Μωυσιάδη..

Καινοτόμες εφαρμογές και προκλήσεις για μεγαλύτερη διείσδυση, φιλικότερες λύσεις και μείωση του κόστους

Πολλοί είναι εκείνοι οι οποίοι προσπαθούν να προβλέψουν ποια θα είναι η κυρίαρχη τεχνολογία παραγωγής ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας έως το 2050. Το μόνο σίγουρο είναι ότι το μείγμα παραγωγής ηλεκτρισμού δεν θα αποτελείται πλέον από μία κυρίαρχη τεχνολογία, αλλά πολλές διαφορετικές, με συγκεκριμένες εφαρμογές που θα καλύπτουν συγκεκριμένες ανάγκες σε συγκεκριμένες συνθήκες (γεωγραφικές, περιβαλλοντικές, προφίλ κατανάλωσης, κτλ.).

Όσον αφορά τις διαθέσιμες τεχνολογίες που μετατρέπουν την ηλιακή ενέργεια σε ηλεκτρισμό, αυτές είναι δύο, τα γνωστά φωτοβολταϊκά συστήματα (Solar PV ή Photovoltaics) και τα συστήματα ηλιοθερμικής ενέργειας, τα λεγόμενα CSP (Concentrated Solar Power). Από τις δύο αυτές τεχνολογίες τα Φ/Β συστήματα έχουν κυριαρχήσει παγκοσμίως, στην συντριπτική πλειοψηφία των περιπτώσεων και με αυτά θα ασχοληθούμε στο παρόν.

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Written by Margarita Kyrkou, surveyor at Wattcrop.

Nowadays, due to the energy crisis experienced by the whole of Europe, there has been increasing reference to energy autonomy. But what does energy autonomy mean?

In the world literature, there are several definitions. Essentially, it is the meeting of the energy needs (electricity, heating & mobility) of a facility through local renewable energy sources, without importing energy and dependence on external factors. Thus, achieving energy independence for these areas.

An example of an area that is energy self-sufficient is the island of Samso in Denmark, the first on the planet. The inhabitants of the island managed to achieve 100% autonomy within 8 years (two years earlier than originally planned). This was achieved through the introduction of modern energy technologies but also through the residents’ efforts to adapt to this change.

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