Casa dos Ventos Expands Renewable Portfolio with Hybrid Solar-Wind Projects in Bahia, Brazil - SolarQuarter
Casa dos Ventos Expands Renewable Portfolio with Hybrid Solar-Wind Projects in Bahia, Brazil - SolarQuarter
Casa dos Ventos, a prominent Brazilian developer, has unveiled plans to commence the construction of two solar projects totaling 300 MW by the year’s end. These projects will be integrated with two existing wind complexes located in Bahia. The solar ventures, named Solar Babilônia Centro and Solar Babilônia Sul, will be associated with the operational 360 MW Babilônia Sul project and the 553 MW Babilônia Centro project, which is currently under construction.
Guilherme Castro, Director of Solar Development Engineering at Casa dos Ventos, disclosed the company’s strategy at the Greener 2024 Summit held in São Paulo. Castro highlighted the unique approach of combining solar and wind assets, emphasizing the optimization of solar connections within regions favorable for wind energy production.
Traditionally, solar assets are not situated in prime wind regions. However, Casa dos Ventos aims to leverage existing wind infrastructure to enhance overall energy output. Castro emphasized the importance of proper sizing of hybrid plants and the need to carefully assess the risk of generation cuts, as output is limited by contracted transportation capacity.
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Despite the potential for spills due to capacity limitations, Castro expressed optimism regarding the performance of hybrid plants, citing advancements in engineering and the potential integration of battery storage to mitigate intermittency issues.
Casa dos Ventos has been laying the groundwork for hybridization since 2015, installing solar measurement towers across its wind farms. While challenges such as shading from wind turbines persist, the company remains committed to optimizing hybrid plant performance.
The decision to incorporate solar projects underscores Casa dos Ventos’ commitment to innovation and sustainable energy development in Brazil’s evolving energy landscape.
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Declining costs and government encouragement have resulted in a rapid increase in solar energy production in the United States over the past 10 years, although solar’s share remains small: 1.6 percent of all electricity generation in 2018. That rapid growth is projected to continue.