Title:	Hybrid Photovoltaic Power Plants: Least Cost Power Option for the MENA Region
Author(s):	C. Breyer, J. Reiß
Keywords:	Economic Assessment, Power Plants, Renewable Power Methane, Hybridization, Power-to-Gas
Topic:	PV - A MAJOR ELECTRICITY SOURCE
Subtopic:	PV Business Opportunities
Event:	29th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition
Session:	7AV.6.23
Pages:	4047 - 4055
ISBN:	3-936338-34-5
Paper DOI:	10.4229/EUPVSEC20142014-7AV.6.23
Price:	0,00 EUR
Document(s):	paper, poster

Abstract/Summary:

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The electricity demand in the Middle East North African (MENA) region is increasing quickly and is highly dependent on diminishing fossil fuel resources. The economics of photovoltaic (PV) power plants are very promising and have already started their full competitiveness to fossil fuel fired power plants. The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of fossil fuel fired power plants can be reduced by hybridization with PV power plants. Even lower costs are achieved by including both PV and wind power plants. In the long-term, expanding a hybrid PV-Wind-Fossil power system by the renewable power methane storage technology might create a 100% renewable based power system. This long-term option might be of high relevance for the post fossil fuel age in the MENA region.