HYDRO/SOLAR COMPLEMENTARITY IN THE UPPER SÃO FRANCISCO BASIN: AN ALTERNATIVE FOR WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Abstract

This paper aims to evaluate the benefit of the combined operation of a hydro/solar system at USFB, specifically at the Três Marias Hydroelectric Plant (HPP), to raise the level of its reservoir. For this purpose, the hydrological/hydroelectric modeling of USFB and Três Marias HPP is carried out on the RS MINERVE hydrological/hydroelectric simulation platform. USFB hydrological modeling is done using three hydrologically homogeneous regions and the hydrological conceptual model HBV. The hydroelectric modeling was adjusted to the physical characteristics of the Três Marias HPP. The calibration and validation process uses eight performance indicators. The chosen scenarios evaluate an increase of 7% in evapotranspiration and a decrease of 10% and 20% in precipitation, respectively. Water storage and energy generated at the Três Marias HPP are the output variables of the simulation process. From the results obtained in the simulation, the projected Photovoltaic Plant (PVP) is dimensioned. The results show that with the complementarity of the projected PVP it is possible to increase the volume of the reservoir for the proposed study scenarios. Therefore, hydro/solar complementarity at USFB can be an alternative for the management of water resources.