Vol 55, No 4 (2019)

This paper presents a brief analysis of the photovoltaic (PV) modules that are currently commercially available. The most used calculation formulas and measurement procedures used for evaluating the power characteristics of photovoltaic PV modules are given. The possible causes of power losses of solar cells and modules are described, including losses caused by design features. The theoretical calculations and experimental results of measuring the characteristics of silicon PV arrays with changing surface irradiance are compared. The calculated and experimental dependences of the power output variation of the ISM-50 photovoltaic module with changing its tilt angle are presented. It is shown that there is a significant discrepancy between theoretical studies and experimental results. A hypothesis has been put forward about the dependence of a real decrease in power characteristics and refraction indices of PV array protective coatings. An adjustment factor is proposed taking into account the decrease in the solar radiation output on the silicon photocell surface when passing through the antireflective protective coatings of the PV module. The conclusions drawn from the results of this work indicate that the identified factors affecting the electricity generation by photovoltaic converters need to be considered.

This paper considers the structure of the regional energy supply of Crimea and presents the characteristics of the main groups of regional electricity producers, including combined heat and power plants, mobile gas turbine power plants, renewable energy sources, and backup power sources. It is proposed, depending on the purpose of calculations in the context of the transportation problem under consideration, to use average actual rates for a given period with energy suppliers as tariffs (the calculation purpose is to reduce the electricity production and transportation cost), as well as conditional qualitative assessments, such as “fines” (the purpose is to improve the environmental friendliness and reliability of the system as a whole). The influence of the produced solar plant power on the operating modes of the Crimean energy system is assessed. The solar power production optimization technique that affects the reliability and quality of power supply is developed. Various energy supply scenarios for Crimea are generated, including peak and average power consumption modes with various options for solar activity, season, including and excluding energy sources under construction, and off-season repair of power sources. Based on the calculation data, the reliability of the regional energy system is estimated for various power supply scenarios, as well as the need to use an energy bridge for a power exchange with the mainland.

The construction and operation of large solar power plants (SPPs) and the dependence of their production on light and other meteorological factors leads to a strong dependence of the operation modes of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol power system on meteorological factors. Today, given that the share of solar power plants is about 30% of the total installed capacity, it is necessary to solve the problems that have a great impact on the power system operating modes. With large output capacity of the solar power plant, the operator has to give commands to turn off the generating equipment of thermal power plants. In power systems with a large share of solar generation, it is necessary to solve this problem by improving the generated power predicting methods, as it will reduce the dependence of operating modes on weather factors and increase the reliability of the power system. The paper discusses the use of hybrid predicting methods that imply taking into account the possibility of the weather scenarios simulation, advanced cloud-based image processing technology, and close-to-real-time cloud motion surveillance cameras. There was an experimental software created that selects coefficients of set configuration time series. In combination with the conservative methods, it makes predicting the SPP Perovo output more accurate. Taken together, the chosen methods of predicting solar power generation capacity in the power system of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol ensure not only stability of the power system as a whole, but also the maximum efficiency of power plants, allow to accelerate the integration of solar power plants into the power system, and have positive effects on the environment.

The electric power supply of the Crimean region and the city of Sevastopol requires the construction of thermal power plants and electricity supply from mainland Russia through the Strait of Kerch. Gas boiler houses are mainly used for the heat supply of the local cities, as well as solid and liquid fossil fuel heating stations. Under conditions of the energy and transit blockade of the peninsula, energy supplies for these facilities are becoming not only expensive, but also fraught with difficulty.

This paper is concerned with the issue of the efficiency of sea wave energy conversion. It is shown that the efficiency increases significantly if a low-damped mechanical oscillator, which is adapted to a wave power spectrum, is used as a primary converter. Two major types of oscillators are considered. The pendulum-type converter is found to be the most promising. A new schematic of a pendulum-type converter is suggested and briefly described. The converter consists of two oscillators adjusted to work in resonance mode. The first one includes a ballast-controlled floating platform pitching on sea waves. The second oscillator is a long sector-shaped pendulum located on the floating platform. The use of sea wave energy converters is promising in regard to the widespread use of renewable sources and elimination of the environmental impact of fossil fuel consumption in coastal regions. Various systems have been developed and projects implemented in this field.