EDP To Add Battery Storage To Floating Hydro-Solar Hybrid Plant In Portugal

Hybrid renewable energy projects are on the rise the world over and in the latest addition to this expansion is the combination of a hydropower and floating solar power in Portugal. The Portuguese utility firm Energias de Portugal (EDP), which has developed the hybrid project, has announced that it will add an energy storage system to the existing RE system.

The hybridization was done recently with a 5 MW of floating solar panels’ array at a hydropower dam in Alqueva. It is spread out to close to 4 hectares of land which occupies less than 1 per cent of the dam area. EDP expects a power production of 7.5 GWh annually.

EDP informs that the total investment in the project was about €6 million. However, it has now set its sights on making an addition of 1 MW battery energy storage system.

EDP says that on the completion of the energy storage facility, all three technologies will be attached to a single grid connection point. This will promote asset optimisation and efficiency while reducing environmental impact, it further noted.

Miguel Stilwell d’Andrade, Chief Executive Officer, EDP, said that the project is an “example of innovation and sustainability.” He also labeled the floating solar facility a “landmark leap” in the development of renewables.

He said, “The bet on hybridisation, by combining electricity produced from water, sun, wind and storage, is a logical path of growth in which EDP will continue to invest – it allows us to produce cheaper energy, optimises resources and with minimal environmental impact.”

The Floating Array

EDP informed that the floating system is about 15 per cent lighter due to design changes that reduce the carbon footprint of the project by 30 per cent. The solar array floats are made up from recycled plastic and cork materials. This was the first ever such trial for a floating solar system. EDP held that its new 5MW floating solar project has led to investment acceleration in floating solar. The company also expects more investments and openings in this segment.