{"id":46585,"date":"2024-04-19T13:53:38","date_gmt":"2024-04-19T12:53:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=46585"},"modified":"2024-04-19T13:53:38","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T12:53:38","slug":"floating-solar-can-power-africas-energy-goals-study-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/floating-solar-can-power-africas-energy-goals-study-finds\/46585\/","title":{"rendered":"Floating solar can power Africa\u2019s energy goals, study finds"},"content":{"rendered":"
The study highlighted that floating solar can support sustainable development in Africa<\/a>, addressing climate, water, and energy goals across the continent while supplanting current hydropower reliance.<\/p>\n Using a cutting-edge energy planning model covering the continent\u2019s entire energy system, the researchers found that installing floating solar at existing reservoirs could produce 10-100% of the electricity expected from Africa\u2019s planned hydropower dams<\/a>.<\/p>\n Moreover, they identified that floating solar is cost-competitive with other renewable energy sources used in Africa.<\/p>\n Wyatt Arnold, lead author of the research, explained: \u201cFloating solar is fast becoming cost-competitive with land-based solar, and our results suggest it could conceivably avoid the need to build many of the dams planned for hydropower across Africa.<\/p>\n \u201cThis would allow nations to meet future electricity demands while sidestepping the damaging environmental and social impacts of large dams.”<\/p>\n The study focused on the Zambezi watercourse, revealing insights that challenge conventional approaches to energy development and water management.<\/p>\n The detailed case study suggests that rather than relying solely on conventional dam projects for energy generation, incorporating floating solar into the mix could offer more efficient capital investment and enhance energy stability.<\/p>\n By reducing the number of reservoirs and supplementing energy supply with solar, the approach demonstrated a 12% decrease in interannual variability in electricity supply compared to dam-centric solutions.<\/p>\n Moreover, it proved more resilient against potential long-term drought conditions exacerbated by climate change.<\/p>\n Professor Andrea Castelletti added: \u201cBy embracing floating solar and reducing the reliance on hydropower, developing economies can ensure a more stable energy supply that is robust to hydrological uncertainties brought about by climate change.<\/p>\n “Moreover, floating solar avoids many of the negative impacts new dams may have on downstream communities and river ecosystems.”<\/p>\n The study underscores the importance of integrated resource planning and considering transboundary impacts in sustainable development strategies.<\/p>\nFloating solar vs hydropower<\/h3>\n
Integrated resource planning<\/h3>\n