On May 24, 2024, the presentation of the outcomes of "Armenia's Energy Independence Roadmap " research project was held. The program was implemented by the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST) and "Solaron" Company.
In his welcome speech, Arthur Alaverdyan, Co-founder of FAST and "Solaron" and a member of the board of trustees of the Foundation, presented the goals of this research project. “Our goal was to design the steps, legislative amendments, economic incentives, necessary infrastructural transformations, which are needed to increase Armenia's energy independence with renewable energy sources," he noted. Regarding renewable energy, there are remarkable data available in the document entitled "Road Map of Armenia's Energy Independence".
SOLAR ENERGY
Solar thermal technologies in Armenia have enormous potential to substitute electricity and natural gas. This cost-effective technology with a penetration rate of 400 000 rooftop SWHs1 by 2041 has the potential to replace about 153.7 million m³ of natural gas and save 360 519.6 MWh of electricity annually by 2041 covering water heating demand, and by 2050 - 230.6 million m³ of natural gas and 540 779.5 MWh of electricity.
Solar PV technology, with the same penetration rate as residential rooftop installation alone, 2 will generate 2.16 GWh annually, which is equivalent to 204.6 million m³ of natural gas (in terms of energy value 10.55 kWh per m³). If the penetration rate continues further for 25 years, 560 000 solar PV systems will be installed, reaching yearly generation of 3.02 GWh, equivalent to 296.7 million m³ of natural gas.
WIND ENERGY
The Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for each wind turbine or farm, selected from the best potential spots across Armenia, reaches more than 66%. This means that they will produce energy for more than 66% of the time over a year (approximately 6,000 hours per year). Full production capacity will be reached for more than 33% of the time (about 3,000 hours per year). A realistic and cautious KPI would then reach 60%, with 30% of full capacity utilization.
At present, wind energy represents less than 0.5% of electricity production, including due to maintenance problems. We believe that with appropriate investment support mechanisms in place, Armenia could reasonably meet up to 10% of its electricity needs from wind power alone.
BIOGAS
There are about 170,000 farmers and collective farms engaged in cattle breeding in Armenia. If the biogas farm penetration rate over ten years reaches 2,880 farms with total livestock of about 155,000 animals, the produced biogas will be comparable to about 70 million m³ of imported natural gas. The economic feasibility of investment is highly efficient, providing a payback period of 3 to 4 years.
BIOMASS
Considering the potential for using energy crops such as fast-growing trees and nearby agricultural residues, three sites for biomass production for energy purposes were identified in Armenia (study conducted in the mid-1990s). In the area of southwest Armenia within the Ararat Valley, sufficient biomass can be generated to fire a 25 to 35 MW boiler. An estimated 63% of biomass can be generated from dedicated crops on unused or degraded agricultural land, the rest coming from agricultural residues. The second site around Lake Sevan in central Armenia can produce enough biomass for a 35 MW facility at Hrazdan with 58% of the biomass coming from dedicated tree crops and much of the rest coming from existing plantations. The third area is in north-eastern Armenia where conditions are colder, forest residues are available, and energy crops would comprise only 10% of the biomass supply. Biomass from this location would be sufficient to supply a 20 MW system in Vanadzor.
HYDROPOWER
A further increase in the number of small hydropower plants is expected. However, this growth will slow down due to a decrease in the volume of economically attractive hydro resources and stricter environmental requirements. A pumped storage power plant (PSPP) is envisaged for commissioning by the master plan for the development of the energy system. The PSPP, as a rule, is not considered a renewable energy facility but will become an effective tool for managing the load curve.”
The study was carried out by the research team formed as a result of an open competition, which included American University of Armenia (AUA) Lecturer and Researcher Armen Danielyan, Aram Harutyunyan and Tigran Gnuni representing Research Institute of Energy, Garnik Balyan - Chief Engineer and Deputy General Director of "Electric Power System Operator" CJSC, Regis Robert Danielian, Researcher at Experimental Physics Innsbruck under the supervision of Suren Shatvoryan, Senior Researcher at Research Institute of Energy.
June 06, 2024 at 16:02