Selected CRES Projects| Operational Programme for Energy

Project Description:

Aim of the project has been the development of an information system for the assessment of the technically and economically exploitable RES (Renewable Energy Sources) potential in Greece. The project was supported by the Greek Operational Programme for Energy. The s/w tool developed is driven by a Geographical Information System and takes into account a large number of parameters that affect the technical and economic viability of RET’s (Renewable Energy Technologies) implementation, such as RES potential, existing infrastructures, technological and economical parameters. The system calculates a number of useful indicators, in order to help the potential users (Planners at a national and local level, Independent producers, Researchers) in the evaluation of the exploitable RES potential.

For each RES under consideration, the model structure offers the following main sessions depicted in figure 1:

• Potential Estimation: This option offers the ability for a quick estimation of the prevailing potential in an easily visualised way, retrieving meteorological data from the Data Base.

• Available Potential Estimation: Estimation of the potential of the RES under consideration which is available for applications by applying queries. These queries are based on geographical data and rules of thumb such as land use, elevation, distance from infrastructure networks (roads, networks, etc

• Estimation of the Technically Exploitable Potential: The system calculates the expected energy output on monthly and yearly basis.

• Estimation of the Economically Exploitable Potential: Operation and Maintenance costs as well as cost required for connection to the electricity grids (both connection cost and bulk network reinforcement cost, if any) are taken into account. Electricity Networks analysis models are incorporated.

• Estimation of Private Investments Profitability:. The system takes into account existing regulations (legislation, dispatching rules, subsidies, energy buy-back price, etc.) and the current financial environment and calculates indicators for the RES profitability (such as IRR, pay-back period etc.)..