The Itaipu hydroelectric plant, on the border between Brazil and Paraguay, has completed the first phase of assembling the pilot project for a floating solar island, which will generate clean energy for internal use at the facility.
The project consists of assembling and anchoring 1,568 photovoltaic panels on the bed of the Paraná River reservoir, which supplies the water that turns Itaipu’s 20 turbines and generates electricity. The first phase ended on September 26 and was announced by the company on Friday (3).
The solar island occupies an area of 7,600 square meters (m²), equivalent to almost a soccer field. The next step in the pilot project is, in the next two weeks, the installation of the last equipment and the connection of power and communication cables, followed by cold tests (without energy generation) and hot tests (with energization).
The company’s estimate is that operations will begin in November, generating 1 MWp (megawatt-peak), a unit of measurement for maximum energy generation capacity. This clean energy is equivalent to supplying 650 homes and will be used for the plant’s own consumption.
Timeline
Agência Brasil visited the project at the end of July, when construction was 60% complete. At that time, the forecast was delivery in September.
However, engineer Márcio Massakiti Kubo, from the Renewable Energies Superintendency, explains that “the schedule underwent minor adjustments due to rains and the need to ensure the safety of workers and the hydroelectric operation”.
He adds that the assembly requires special care because it is close to the spillway (structure to release excess water in the reservoir) and the operational safety nautical area of the plant.
The investment is US$854,500 (about R$4.5 million). The works are carried out by the binational consortium formed by the Brazilian company Sunlution and the Paraguayan Luxacril, winner of the bidding process.
Assessment
After operations begin, the solar island will undergo a one-year evaluation period on technical feasibility, benefits, and possible environmental impacts. The analysis will support decisions on expanding the system.
Itaipu estimates indicate that covering 1% of the reservoir area could generate up to 3.6 TWh per year — equivalent to about 4% of the hydroelectric plant’s annual production in 2023.
According to the company, from an environmental perspective, “no significant impacts were identified in the specialized literature, which encouraged the project”.
The pilot project provides for continuous monitoring to assess any effects on biodiversity, such as changes in bird and fish habitats, water quality, algae blooms, among other impacts.
Expanded Capacity
During Agência Brasil’s visit, Rogério Meneghetti, superintendent of the Renewable Energies Advisory at Itaipu, estimated that if Itaipu manages to cover 10% of the reservoir with solar panels in the future, it would be possible to generate 14,000 MW, which would double the company’s current capacity, making it no longer just a hydroelectric plant.
However, he cautioned that not all reservoir areas can be used. For example, navigation areas and fish reproduction areas are excluded.
Production Record
Responsible for about 9% of the electricity production consumed in Brazil, the Itaipu hydroelectric plant is a binational project involving Brazil and Paraguay. The Brazilian side of the plant is in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná.
On September 5, the hydroelectric plant reached the historic milestone of 3.1 billion megawatt-hours (MWh) produced since it began operations in 1984.
To put it in perspective, the production of 3.1 billion MWh is enough to supply the entire world for 44 days or Brazil for six years and one month.
In addition to hydroelectric energy, the project conducts research to expand renewable energy production, such as green hydrogen and biofuels. One of the initiatives involves turning seized contraband into biogas.
Source: Agência Brasil