The coronavirus pandemic may have cost the lives of more than 3 million people and devastated the global economy, but it had a side benefit: a bigger reduction – about 7% compared to 2019 – in annual carbon dioxide emissions from World War II, according to estimates by scientists at the Global Carbon Project. This, however, was only a short breath for the Earth. Global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions are set to increase by 1.5 billion tonnes in 2021, the largest annual increase in emissions since 2010, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
At the heart of the problem is, what else, growing energy needs. A strong bond, since without energy economic growth can not exist. That is why most countries – including Greece – have embarked on a road race to modify their energy mix in the coming years. An ally in this effort is modern technology and innovative materials that make it possible to create energy infrastructure which until a few years ago was impossible.
The most recent example comes from Thailand, which is one step closer to completing one of the largest floating photovoltaic fields in the world. About 144,417 solar panels are being installed in the water body behind the dam in the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani. There, workers complete the last of seven solar parks that will occupy a total area of 1,210 hectares.
And this is just the beginning, as eight corresponding fields will follow in the next 16 years. The total energy produced will amount to 2,725 megawatts, so that the Asian country can reach the target that provides that 35% of energy needs by 2037 will be covered by RES.
The biggest advantage of “floating solar energy” is that it does not require land purchase and soil preparation. Gravity has ensured that everything in the water is aligned and level. The World Bank estimates that this energy infrastructure can also be complementary to hydroelectric plants. In particular, the reservoirs – commonly lakes – that supply hydropower plants could be covered with photovoltaic panels, which is exactly what Thailand is doing. According to the report, covering only 3-4% of the surface of water reservoirs could double the energy capacity of a dam. In addition, this technology would enhance energy production in times of low water availability, such as summer.
Small “seas”, that is, of photovoltaics, that float in the water and can potentially radically change the way we produce the energy we need.
