Annual Report 2010 - IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme

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IEA - PVPS ANNUAL REPORT 2010
TASK 8 - STUDY ON VERY LARGE SCALE
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER GENERATION SYSTEM
Fig. 2 - Task 8 Workshop in Israel, on 16 February 2010.
Fig.1 - Image of a VLS-PV System in a Desert Area.
OVERALL OBJECTIVES
The objective of Task 8 is to examine and evaluate the feasibility of
Very Large Scale Photovoltaic Power Generation (VLS-PV) Systems on
desert areas, which have a capacity ranging from over multi megawatt
to gigawatt, and develop practical project proposals for implementing
VLS-PV projects in the future (See Fig. 1).
VLS-PV systems would be promising options for large-scale deployment
of PV systems. Installation of MW-scale PV systems has been rising
substantially year by year, and a capacity of MW-scale PV systems
is expanding as well. The capacity is likely to reach 100 MW soon,
and after the stage, GW-scale PV plants consisting of several
100 MW-scale PV systems should be realized within a decade.
The work on VLS-PV first began in 1998, under the umbrella of IEA
PVPS Task 6, and was, as Task 8, officially established in 1999. Task 8
started its 4 th phase activity in 2009 under a three years Workplan.
In the 4 th phase activity, three subtasks are organised.
• Subtask 2: Case studies for selected regions for installation
of VLS-PV system on deserts
• Subtask 5: General instruction for practical project proposals
to realize VLS-PV systems in the future
• Subtask 6: Future technical options for realizing VLS-PV systems
SUMMARY OF TASK 8 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
FOR 2010
Task 8 has started its 4 th phase activity since 2009, based on a three
years Workplan for 2009-2011. During 2010, through two meetings
and e-mail communications, Task 8 discussed working items for
accomplishment of VLS-PV activity in detail. In parallel, Task 8
performed dissemination activities aggressively.
SUBTASK 2: Case Studies for Selected Regions for Installation
of VLS-PV Systems on Deserts
Employing the concepts of VLS-PV, the criteria and other results
obtained in the previous phases, case studies on VLS-PV systems for
the selected regions are undertaken and the effects, benefits and
environmental impact of VLS-PV systems are discussed. Feasibility
Fig. 3 - Task 8 International Symposium in Yokohama, Japan, on 27 June 2010.
and potential of VLS-PV on deserts will be evaluated from viewpoints
of local and global aspect. Japan leads the Subtask 2.
Possible case studies and project proposals of VLS-PV were discussed. A
100 MW PV project in Jordan, called 'Shams Maan Initiative,' would be
introduced and a potential project on Gobi Desert would be taken up.
As for the LCA study on VLS-PV systems, Task 8 has started information
exchange and collaborative work with Task 12.
SUBTASK 5: General Instruction for Practical Project Proposals
to Realise VLS-PV Systems
Detailed practical instructions for implementing VLS-PV projects in
the future will be discussed. Employing the results obtained in the
previous phases, financial and institutional scenarios will be further
discussed, and the guidelines for practical project proposals will be
developed. The Netherlands leads the Subtask 5.
'Engineering and Financial Guideline for VLS-PV Systems' was discussed
and the guideline would be composed of 'Pre-engineering,' 'Technical
Engineering Design' and 'Financial Design.' It was proposed that a
database of present large scale PV systems in the world should be
developed. This would be useful information as a part of the guideline.