#1ONREL Transforming ENERGY Overview of NREL's Research on Floating Solar Photovoltaics (FPV), including Technical Potential Assessments Prateek Joshi National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) October 2023 Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL 53264#2NREL at a Glance 3,702 workforce, including: • 2,721 regular/limited term • 503 contingent workers • 205 postdoctoral researchers • 179 graduate student interns ⚫94 undergraduate student interns 10 Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL Z1582 -as of 8/21/2023 World-class research expertise in: • Renewable Energy • Sustainable Transportation & Fuels • Buildings and Industry More Than 1,000 Active Partnerships in FY 2022 Educational Institutions State or Local Government 8% Foreign Government 6% 2% Educational Institutions Foreign Government $1M 30% Large Business Nonprofit $10M $1M $8M State or Local Government • Energy Systems Integration Partnerships with: • Industry • Academia • Government 4 campuses operate as living laboratories 13% Nonprofit 318 New Agreements 13% Hoodie $60M $131 Million in Funding Large $41M Business $10M Small Business Non-DOE Federal Agencies 28% Small Non-DOE Federal Agencies Business Agreements by Business Type Funding by Business Type#3Presentation Outline 1 FPV Overview 2 Research Activities 3 Technical Potential Assessments NREL 3#4FPV Overview#5Energy-Water-Food Nexus for Solar PV Water shortages could limit energy production. Water infrastructure (transport, treatment, etc.) requires energy. Energy FPV AquaPV AgriPV Competing land use for food and energy production. Food production requires energy. Water Aquaculture Food Source: Joshi (2023) Food production could impact water quality and availability. Water shortages and contamination could limit food production. NREL 5#6System voltage 1,500 Vdc Helical screw bank anchor PV modules Floats/ pontoons Module efficiency 19-20% Elastic mooring line Anchoring Overview of FPV Systems Transmission Combiner box Depth 25-100m Transformer Central inverter Percussive bank anchor Figure. Schematic of Typical FPV System Surrounding topography Input from other arrays Modules: Same PV technology as ground-mount or rooftop PV, with the emerging potential for tracking and/or bifacial panels. Site: Typically sited on artificial waterbodies (e.g., reservoirs, retention ponds, etc.), with emerging applications on natural waterbodies, both inland and offshore. Structure: Platforms consist primarily of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) floats, with potentially different considerations for offshore sites. Anchors and mooring lines minimize lateral movement of the system. Racking material is similar to land-based PV (e.g., stainless steel). Electrical Components: Similar equipment as a land-based PV installation, with some different considerations for freshwater or marine environments (e.g., electrical cables connecting the modules to each other, and connecting the modules to the central inverter). Source: Ramasamy and Margolis (2021) Figure: Alfred Hicks, NREL 65944 NREL | 6#7Figure. FPV Annual Installations Forecast by Region (2021-2031) FPV Market Growth Regional floating solar installations forecast, 2021-2031 (MWdc) Global FPV demand (MWdc) 7,000 5,844 6,061 15,935 6,2336,203 6,000 5,380 5,471 5,154 4,918 5,000 3,811 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,491 1,000 0 2021 2023 2025 2027 Source: Chopra and Sagardoy (2022) 2029 2031 APAC Europe Middle East LATAM North America Africa NREL 7#8FPV Cost Comparison $/WDC 2020 USD 1.40 Figure. U.S. Installed Costs of 10-MW DC Base-Scenario FPV System and Ground-Mount PV System Modeled FPV system has a higher installed cost, $0.26/WDC (25%) greater than the cost per WDC of ground-mounted PV. $1.29 0.07 1.20 0.07 0.06 $1.03 Higher cost is largely due to higher 8.84 structural costs related to the floats and anchoring/mooring system. 1.00 0.05 0.08 0.08 0.07 0.03 0.06 0.04 0.80 0.04 0.10 0.07 Levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) 0.12 estimated to be 20% higher for FPV system compared to ground-mount PV. . Accounts for higher installed cost, higher energy production, and lower operating and maintenance costs for FPV (but does not account for other FPV co-benefits). 0.60 0.37 0.12 0.40 0.11 UAVS VAV4 0.20 0.33 0.33 0.00 Ground Mount PV Floating PV EPC/Developer Profit Developer Overhead Contingency Sales Tax (if any) Shipping/handling Permitting, Inspection, Interconnection Land Acquisition EPC Overhead Install Labor & Equipment Electrical BOS Structural BOS Inverter Only Module Source: Ramasamy and Margolis (2021) | 8#9Research Activities#10Potential Co-Benefits of FPV Systems Social Economic Energy Water Food/Land Empirically Confirmed . • Reduces land use (S) Repurposes otherwise unusable land (S) Theoretically Confirmed • Preserves valuable land and water for other uses (S,H) Unclear, Unconfirmed, or Understudied ⚫Avoids or reduces conflicts over land and water use (S,H) • Reduces or avoids power-generation related air pollution (S,H) • Reduces displacement of local communities for energy development (S,H) • Improves power sector resilience (S,H) • Increases ease of installation (S,H) * Reduces site preparation (S,H) ⚫ Modular (S,H) • Uses existing electrical transmission infrastructure • Reduces curtailment • Improves power quality • Extends system life (S,H) • Increases panel efficiency (S) • Increases panel packing density (S,H) • Reduces shading (S,H) ⚫ Increases panel efficiency (H) Improves power quality (H) • Reduces evaporation (S,H) • Reduces algae growth/ Improves water quality (S) • Reduces algae growth/ Improves water quality (H) • Reduces water temperature (S,H) • Provides power during drought Reduces wave formation (S,H) • Reduces land use (S) Repurposes otherwise unusable land (S) • Increases energy sources near demand/ population centers (S,H) Social and water-related co-benefits remain understudied. Figure. Summary of FPV Co-Benefits (S = stand-alone, H = hybrid system with hydropower) Source: Gadzanku et al. (2021a) NREL 10#11FPV Research Areas Analysis How does FPV impact power system operations, and what benefits does it provide? What are the costs and benefits of co-locating FPV with hydropower? What tools can be developed for FPV analysis, or how can existing tools be used? Implementation • Identify FPV investment opportunities and technical potential in a given area. Conduct a techno-economic assessment of potential projects using NREL's established methodology. • Identify unique regulatory and policy issues that need to be addressed for deployment. Monitoring and Evaluation • Monitor existing systems to document system output performance benefits. • Validate and quantify the environmental benefits of FPV related to reduced water evaporation and reduced algal growth. Technology Research ⚫ Research and development of built-for-purpose PV and supporting systems for FPV • Explore FPV system designs that reduce equipment weathering and erosion. Source: Gadzanku (2022) Activities completed or underway at NREL NREL 11#12FPV Policy Barriers and Best Practices (1/2) ULATE USAID FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ONREL Transforming ENERGY Advanced Energy Partnership for Asia ENABLING FLOATING SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (FPV) DEPLOYMENT Review of Barriers to FPV Deployment in Southeast Asia Sika Gadzanku, Laura Beshilas, and Ursula (Bryn) Grunwald National Renewable Energy Laboratory June 2021 A product of the USAID-NREL Partnership Contract No. AIG-19-2115 Considerations Covered Cultural 22 Environmental Economic Regulatory Technical -Hybrid Systems NREL 12#13FPV Policy Barriers and Best Practices (2/2) Barriers ☑ Regulatory Uncertainty about water rights may delay FPV project development and increase costs. Lack of interagency cooperation and coordination may stall FPV deployment. Lengthy, expensive, and unclear environmental approval processes for FPV systems can make projects less financially appealing. Best Practices to Consider Clear policies around water rights for FPV projects could reduce uncertainty during the project development process. Develop interagency processes for installing solar PV on waterbodies, along with clear environmental approval processes. Source: Gadzanku et al. (2021b) NREL 13#14FPV Hybrid Operational Modeling (1/2) Research Question: What are the operational benefits of hybridizing FPV with hydropower? Stand-Alone FPV System Hydropower Only System Hydropower Coal Power 60 MW 50 MW Gas Turbine 50 MW Floating Hydro- PV power 60 MW 60 MW Coal Power 50 MW Gas Turbine 50 MW Floating PV 60 MW Full Hybrid System Hydro- power 60 MW Coal Power 50 MW Gas Turbine 50 MW Transmission Interconnection Generation 呱 60 MW 100 MW 30 MW 60 MW 100 MW 90 MW 100 MW & 金寶盒 食品盒 Figure. Example System Configurations for the Hydro-Only (left), FPV Stand-Alone (middle), and Hybrid FPV-Hydropower (right) Systems Source: Gadzanku et al. (2022) NREL 14#15FPV Hybrid Operational Modeling (2/2) Key Findings: Compared to a Stand-Alone FPV system, hybridizing FPV with hydropower helps: Conserve water by shifting hydropower generation to other periods of the year (top graph). Hydropower Generation (MWh) 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Hydropower Only Standalone FPV Oct. Nov. Full Hybrid Dec. 2,500 Figure. Annual Hydropower (Top) and FPV Generation (Bottom) in Different Scenarios Lower PV curtailment when transmission constraints cause curtailment (bottom graph). Reduce dependence on other types of generation, such as gas-fired generation, by reducing PV curtailment. Floating PV Generation (MWh) 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 Source: Gadzanku et al. (2022) 0 Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Standalone FPV Aug. Sep. Full Hybrid Oct. Nov. Dec.. NREL 15#16Technical Potential Assessments#17Select FPV Technical Potential Assessments Global Assessments: Lee et al. 2020 Jin et al. 2023 Subnational Assessment Colorado (Liber et al. 2020) Saguac Cust Heip Generation (GWh/year! 800 to 1,000 600 to 400 400 to 600 200 to 400 <200 Capacity Factor (percent) 19 to 20 18 to 19 Spencer et al. 2019 Kakoulaki et al. 2023 • A Site specific assessment also conducted considering evaporation, algae, wildlife, water quality, and land-use trade-offs. 17 to 18 16 to 17 © <16 Campos Lopes et al. 2022 Gonzalez Sanchez et al. 2021 Joshi et al. 2023a Differences in: Waterbodies assessed, scenarios, assumptions, data sources etc. NREL 17#18[88] Waterbodies Southeast Asia FPV Study: Data Collection Reservoirs (hydropower and non-hydropower) Global Reservoir and Dam Database (GRAND) Natural Waterbodies (e.g., inland lakes, ponds, etc.) HydroLAKES Database Infrastructure X Transmission lines, major roads, and protected areas RE Data Explorer Stimson Mekong Infrastructure Tracker Myanmar Solar Energy Resource Viet Nam Lao PDR China Thailand Annual Average Solar Irradiance 2016-2019 Global Horizontal Irradiance (kWh/m²/day) 3.6 39 42 45 48 5.1 5.4 5.7 Philippines South China Sea Cambodia Andaman Sea Gulf of Thailand Malaysia Brunei Singapore Indonesia Indonesia Indian Ocean NREL D Java Sea Sulu Sea Pacific Ocean 2 Philippine Sea Celebes Sea Banda Sea Timor-Leste Indonesia Arafura Sea Figure. High-Resolution Solar Resource Data Available for Southeast Asia Source: Joshi et al. (2023b) NREL 18#19Southeast Asia FPV Study: Analysis Scenarios Waterbody Type + FPV Technology Reservoir: hydropower and non-hydropower Natural: inland Natural: offshore Included Excluded Fixed Tilt: monofacial Fixed Tilt: bifacial 1-axis Tracking: monofacial 1-axis Tracking: bifacial Source: Joshi et al. (2023b) NREL 19#20Southeast Asia FPV Study: Technical Potential Calculation Exclusions* Waterbodies in protected areas are excluded. FPV Technical Potential: Suitable Area (km²) + Technology Assumptions Waterbodies further than 50km from the nearest major road are excluded. + Sensitivities Minimum distances from shore: 0m, 50 m, and 100 m Maximum distances from shore: 500 m, 1000 m, and 2000 m FPV Technical Potential: Capacity (GW) PVWatts *A distance-from-transmission exclusion was included for certain results, but not the default results, because this data was only available for certain countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam). Solar Resource Data FPV Technical Potential: Generation (TWh/yr) System Advisor Model Source: Joshi et al. (2023b) NREL 20#21Thailand Myanmar Indonesia⭑ Vietnam Laos Southeast Asia FPV Study: Results - Reservoirs Generation (TWh/year)| 80 60 Cambodia Malaysia Brunei Singapore ON 20 20 40 0 Philippines Capacity (GW) 20 40 40 60 60 Figure. FPV Generation and Capacity Technical Potential for Reservoirs in Southeast Asia Note: These results assume fixed-tilt monofacial FPV panels, with a 50 m minimum distance-from-shore and 1000 m maximum distance- from-shore buffer. The dataset excludes waterbodies that are more than 50 km from major roads and waterbodies that are within protected areas. These results do not reflect a filter for distance-from-transmission. Southeast Asia Regional Results: Waterbodies: 88 Area: 1,343 - 2,784 km² Capacity: ~134 - 278 GW Generation: ~187 - 389 TWh/yr Ranges in results are due to different distance- from-shore assumptions. Source: Joshi et al. (2023b) NREL 21#22Thailand Southeast Asia FPV Study: Results - Natural Waterbodies Generation (TWh/year) Myanmar Vietnam Indonesia Laos Cambodia Malaysia Brunei Singapore 300 200 100 Southeast Asia Regional Results: Waterbodies: 7,213 Philippines Capacity (GW) Area: ~3,427 – 7,676 km² 100 Capacity: ~343 - 768 GW 200 300 Figure. FPV Generation and Capacity Technical Potential for Natural Waterbodies in Southeast Asia Note: These results assume fixed-tilt monofacial FPV panels, with a 50 m minimum distance-from-shore and 1000 m maximum distance- from-shore buffer. The dataset excludes waterbodies that are more than 50 km from major roads and waterbodies that are within protected areas. These results do not reflect a filter for distance-from-transmission. Generation: ~476 - 1,062 TWh/yr Ranges in results are due to different distance- from-shore assumptions. Source: Joshi et al. (2023b) NREL 22#230 - ☑ > + Southeast Asia FPV Study: REorer Open Access Data Technical Potential Tool data explorer https://www.re-explorer.org/home Data Library < Technical Potential INTRO Inputs Results Home Access Data Explorer Abc INTRO ANALYSIS RESULTS Technical Potential Minimum Distance from Shore batance in m INTRO ANALYSIS RESULTS ANALYSIS RESULTS Downloads Technical Potential¦ Basic Analysis Parameters (Required) This is information that is required to run an Analysis. Cost of Energy PVWatts Subscribe About Ask an Expert Name Analysis Layer* Laos Select Country * Take a Tour Search by Country or by Region Lao People's Democratic Republic Resource Type* Solar BACK Technology Type* ② Floating PV 50 Maximum Distance from Shore Distance in m 1000 Limit by Distance to Roads Distance 50 Limit by Distance to Transmission Distance in km 25 BACK NEXT Exclude Areas (Optional) This is information that helps define parameters but is not required Make your analysis that much more accurate NEXT Filter by Water Body Type Lake Reservoin Other Types Protected Areas BACK RUN ANALYS Description & Inputs Results Total Area (km²) avgCf Total Capacity (MW) 34.07 16.34 3,406.62 Total Generation (GWh) 4,882.73 Surface Area by Capacity Area (km²) 30 20 10 <= 400 ✓ 400 - 800 800-1,400 1,400 -2,500 2,500 - 4,000 4,000 - 6,500 6,500 - 10,000 000'01 =< Capacity Range (MW) DOWNLOAD DATA + START NEW + NREL 23#24Thank You! www.nrel.gov NREL/PR-5R00-87698 This work was authored by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, operated by Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under Contract No. DE-AC36-08G028308. Funding provided by the U.S. Department of Energy. The views expressed in the article do not necessarily represent the views of the DOE or the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the U.S. Government retains a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this work, or allow others to do so, for U.S. Government purposes. NREL Transforming ENERGY#25References (1/2) Campos Lopes, Mariana Padilha, Tainan Nogueira, Alberto José Leandro Santos, David Castelo Branco, and Hamid Pouran. "Technical Potential of Floating Photovoltaic Systems on Artificial Water Bodies in Brazil." Renewable Energy 181 (January 2022): 1023-33. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.09.104. Gadzanku, Sika. "Enabling Floating Solar (FPV) Deployment: Policy and Operational Considerations." Presented at the Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), June 17, 2022. https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy22osti/83228.pdf. Gadzanku, Sika, Heather Mirletz, Nathan Lee, Jennifer Daw, and Adam Warren. "Benefits and Critical Knowledge Gaps in Determining the Role of Floating Photovoltaics in the Energy-Water-Food Nexus." Sustainability 13, no. 4317 (April 13, 2021a). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084317. Gadzanku, Sika, Laura Beshilas, and Ursula (Bryn) Grunwald. "Enabling Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FPV) Deployment - Review of Barriers in Southeast Asia (NREL)." Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), June 2021b. https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy21osti/76867.pdf. Gadzanku, Sika, Nathan Lee, and Ana Dyreson. "Enabling Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FPV) Deployment: Exploring the Operational Benefits of Floating Solar- Hydropower Hybrids." Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), June 2022. https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy22osti/83149.pdf. Gonzalez Sanchez, Rocio, loannis Kougias, Magda Moner-Girona, Fernando Fahl, and Arnulf Jäger-Waldau. "Assessment of Floating Solar Photovoltaics Potential in Existing Hydropower Reservoirs in Africa." Renewable Energy 169 (May 2021): 687-99. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.01.041. Jin, Yubin, Shijie Hu, Alan D. Ziegler, Luke Gibson, J. Elliott Campbell, Rongrong Xu, Deliang Chen, et al. "Energy Production and Water Savings from Floating Solar Photovoltaics on Global Reservoirs." Nature Sustainability, March 13, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-023-01089-6. Joshi, Prateek. "Enabling Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FPV) Deployment in Southeast Asia: Overview with Considerations for Aquaculture PV." Presented at the Renewable Energy Buyers Vietnam Working Group, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), February 2023. https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy23osti/85264.pdf. NREL 25#26References (2/2) Joshi, Prateek, Evan Rosenlieb, and Sika Gadzanku. "Enabling Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FPV) Deployment: FPV Technical Potential Assessment for Southeast Asia." Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), May 2023a. https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy23osti/84921.pdf. Joshi, Prateek, Evan Rosenlieb, and Sika Gadzanku. "Enabling Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FPV) Deployment: FPV Technical Potential Assessment for Southeast Asia." National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), June 2023b. https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy23osti/86321.pdf. Kakoulaki, Georgia, Rocio Gonzalez Sanchez, Ana Maria Gracia-Amillo, Sándor Szabó, Matteo De Felice, Fabio Farinosi, Luca De Felice, et al. "Benefits of Pairing Floating Solar Photovoltaics with Hydropower Reservoirs in Europe." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 171 (January 2023). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112989. Lee, Nathan, Ursula Grunwald, Evan Rosenlieb, Heather Mirletz, Alexandra Aznar, Robert Spencer, and Sadie Cox. "Hybrid Floating Solar Photovoltaics- Hydropower Systems: Benefits and global assessment of technical potential." Renewable Energy 162 (August 24, 2020): 1415-27. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148120313252. Liber, William, Chris Bartle, Robert Spencer, Jordan Macknick, Alexander Cagle, and Taylor Lewis. "Statewide Potential Study for the Implementation of Floating Solar Photovoltaic Arrays." Colorado Energy Office, Ciel & Terre, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), December 2020. https://energyoffice.colorado.gov/press-release/colorado-energy-office-releases-study-on-floating-solar-potential-in-the-state. Ramasamy, Vignesh, and Robert Margolis. "Floating Photovoltaic System Cost: Q1 2021 Installations on Artificial Water Bodies." Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), October 2021. https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy22osti/80695.pdf. Spencer, Robert S., Jordan Macknick, Alexandra Aznar, Adam Warren, and Matthew O. Reese. "Floating Photovoltaic Systems: Assessing the Technical Potential of Photovoltaic Systems on Man-Made Water Bodies in the Continental United States." Environmental Science and Technology 53 (December 2018): 1680-89. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b04735. NREL 26#27Disclaimer This document was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States government. Neither the United States government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States government or any agency thereof. NREL 27