| Aim: The aim of the ZeroCO2 project is to construct a prototype electric power station that will be operating based on renewable sources and will have zero CO2 emissions. The prototype system will generate electricity from renewable sources (mainly wind energy) and at the same time it will help in avoiding problems associated with electricity generation from wind energy such as the intermittency of the wind, harmonics in the power system, and system stability problems. The distinguishing feature of the project is the fact that the power output of this renewable station will be regulated, unlike the power output of conventional wind and solar systems whose output varies depending on the availability of wind or solar irradiation. Due to the novel configuration proposed, the electric energy out of this system will be clean, green, and regulated. | windturbine1 |
The Context:
Renewable energies such as wind power, solar energy, hydropower and biomass can play a major role in tackling the twin challenge of energy security and global warming because they are not depletable and produce less greenhouse-gas emissions than fossil fuels. In March 2007 European leaders signed up to a binding EU-wide target to source 20% of their energy needs from renewables, including biomass, hydro, wind and solar power, by 2020. To meet this objective EU leaders agreed to a new directive on promoting renewable energies, which set individual targets for each member state. The new EU directive on renewable energies, requires each member state to increase its share of renewable energies – such as solar, wind or hydro – in the bloc’s energy mix to raise the overall share from 8.5% today to 20% by 2020.
The electric power system in Cyprus relies exclusively on fossil fuels (and more specifically on heavy fuel oil) to cover the electricity demand. This dependence on fossil fuels introduces a number of potential medium term or long term problems. At the forefront are the environmental problems: the burning of fossil fuels releases gases to the atmosphere such as CO2 and NOx gases. These gases are responsible for the pollution of the atmosphere, the increase of the warming effect of the earth, and the damage to the ozone layer. Other problems due to the dependence of fossil fuels are (a) their increasing cost, (b) the fact that these fossil fuels are exhaustible and (c) the uncertain amount of fossil fuels that may be drilled and transported due to the geopolitical situation around the world, especially in regions that control high amounts of fossil fuels.
Cyprus has an isolated power system (since it is an island) and has limited sources from which it can harvest renewable energy. Thus, it is necessary to develop innovative techniques for electricity generation from renewable sources. Traditional renewable generation is not necessarily viable for the Cyprus power system. For example, experience from other power systems has shown that wind energy may create stability problems in the network and also introduces harmonics to the system. Further, the fossil fuel spinning reserves that are required, almost equal the amount of running wind capacity that is connected to the grid (based on operational experience in Crete and Great Britain). This does not really offer any significant advantage in terms of cost and emission of gases. Solar energy is one of the most appropriate renewable sources for Cyprus, but the low efficiency of the photovoltaic cells and the high cost associated with the photovoltaic panels render this technology prohibitive for large scale generation. The unavailability of hydro, tidal, and geothermal energy sources add another degree of difficulty in the effort of Cyprus to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels and thus reduce the CO2 emissions.
| Impact: The European Union has set targets for energy generation using renewable sources as well as targets for CO2 emissions. The proposed prototype will aid in reaching both targets, not only in Cyprus (where electricity generation from renewables is at 0%), but also in the rest of Europe. The project will help in reducing the CO2 emissions of conventional fossil fuel power stations. Upon successful operation of the prototype, the configuration proposed can replace, partly or fully, fossil fuel power generation when implemented in a larger scale. The proposed prototype holds the key to developing a regulated emissions-free renewable power station and make it a viable solution for the future, both for Cyprus, the European Union, and the globe. The proposed system will be able to alleviate the operating problems of the conventional renewable sources and offer a reliable method of harvesting renewable energy and feeding it into the electricity network. It is believed that the proposed system can compete economically with the conventional methods and provide a stable, reliable, and financially sound environmental alternative to electricity generation. | green_earth |
The main advantages of the proposed project can be summarized as follows:
1. Reduction of CO2 emissions in Cyprus and in other countries that will utilize this method
2. Reduce the dependency of Cyprus to oil
3. Help in reaching the target for 13% electricity generation from RES by 2020
4. Transfer of knowledge from Cyprus to EU states and the rest of the world