Configuração geral de centrais eléctricas solares flutuantes: Uma abordagem abrangente

Introdução

Floating solar power plants are gaining popularity as a sustainable energy solution, offering benefits like land conservation and reduced water evaporation. However, creating an effective layout for these installations requires careful planning and consideration of various factors. This section delves into the crucial aspects of general layout design for floating solar power plants, ensuring efficient energy generation and minimal environmental impact.

Design Data Requirements

Designing a floating solar power plant necessitates gathering specific design data, particularly regarding the unique characteristics of the water body where it will be installed. This data goes beyond typical requirements for ground-mounted solar plants. Key design data includes:

1. Topographic Map: This map should accurately depict the water surface outline, underwater topography, and any existing water surface markers. This information helps determine the feasible layout area.
2. Geotechnical Survey Data: Conducting a detailed water quality analysis of the specific water body is crucial. This analysis helps determine potential environmental impacts and inform the choice of materials for the installation.
3. Hydrological Data & Flood Assessment: This data is of paramount importance, as it directly influences the layout’s stability and safety. The data should include:
   • Hydrological data of the connected river system.
   • Analysis of local river distribution.
   • Historical flood events to assess potential risks.
   • The 50-year return period high flood (tide) water level to ensure the layout withstands extreme conditions.
   • The lowest water level during the dry season to ensure adequate water depth for the float.
   • The average annual water level to understand the typical water level fluctuations.
   • A comprehensive analysis and assessment of extreme water levels within the site area.

Determining the Layout Scope

The layout scope defines the specific area within the water body designated for the floating solar power plant. This scope is determined differently for fixed and floating installations.

Fixed Floating Solar Power Plants

• The layout scope is generally confined to a designated water surface area.
• In most cases, this area is defined by the project’s approved land use boundary, granted by land or planning authorities.
• Water level fluctuations typically have minimal impact on the layout, as long as the design meets flood (tide) water level requirements.

Floating Floating Solar Power Plants

• This type of layout requires more specific considerations due to the need to ensure adequate water depth for the float.
• The layout scope is determined by:
  • The minimum water depth requirement for the float (specified by the float manufacturer).
  • The lowest water level during the dry season (obtained from topographic maps and hydrological data).
• The layout area is then defined within the project’s approved land use boundary, ensuring that the required minimum water depth is met across the entire layout area.

Example: Floating Floating Solar Power Plant in Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province

• Site: This power plant is located on a lake.
• Lake Bottom Elevation: The lowest elevation of the lake bottom is 12.91 m.
• Lowest Water Level: The lowest water level is 15.34 m.
• Float Minimum Water Depth Requirement: The float requires a minimum water depth of 1 m.
• Layout Limitation: Areas with a lake bottom elevation greater than or equal to 15.34 – 1 = 14.34 m are unsuitable for float placement and thus cannot accommodate photovoltaic arrays.
• Layout Scope: Areas with a lake bottom elevation less than 14.34 m are suitable for installing photovoltaic arrays. Topographic analysis identifies areas with a lake bottom elevation between 12.91 m and 14.34 m as the designated layout scope.

This example highlights the crucial interplay between hydrological data and float specifications, which directly impact the final layout of a floating floating solar power plant.

Conclusion

The general layout design of a floating solar power plant is crucial for optimizing energy production while minimizing environmental impact. This section emphasized the importance of collecting specific design data, considering the unique characteristics of the water body, and carefully determining the layout scope for both fixed and floating installations.

Moving forward, the next sections will delve deeper into the specific considerations for designing the layout of different components within these power plants, including the arrangement of photovoltaic modules, waterways, transformer platforms, and other essential elements.