Design and Development of an Integrated Renewable Energy Centre in Cervià de les Garrigues, Catalonia

Abstract

This theoretical project has been accomplished in cooperation with Novia University of Applied Sciences and the City Council of Cervià de les Garrigues. The purpose was to design an integrated renewable energy centre capable of supplying the public electricity demand of the village, using agricultural waste and offering socio-cultural services to the area.

Literature research was undertaken to obtain background information about the municipality. Furthermore, with the meteorological and biomass data estimated, the viability of different green technologies was analysed. According to the availability of usable natural resources, it is feasible to install photovoltaic panels and a combined heat and power biofuel boiler.

Power simulations were performed with SAM software to estimate electricity generation, obtaining an environmentally-safe installed capacity of 394 kW that provides a net output of 1,466 MWh/year. Additionally, a financial analysis was conducted, determining that the estimated initial investment of €503,524 would be amortized over a minimum period of 14.6 years. To conclude, several limitations and enhancements were identified to be able to apply the methodology to forthcoming studies of these characteristics.