Energy Reports (Sep 2023)
Assessment of renewable energy generated by a hybrid system based on wind, hydro, solar, and biomass sources for decarbonizing the energy sector and achieving a sustainable energy transition
Abstract
The EU must incorporate as many renewable sources as possible (such as hydropower, wind power, solar power and biomass) into a complex energy mix in order to meet its 2030 targets for renewable energy share of final gross energy consumption and carbon neutrality of the energy sector by 2050. This study analyze the share of these renewable energy sources in Romania’s energy mix in 2018. It is obvious that wind energy and solar energy are complementary in terms of generating the electricity required for consumption. Because of the highly variable and unpredictable nature of these two energy sources, they carry more weight when one is scarce. Furthermore, hydro energy, which appears to be less volatile, showed important seasonal and hourly variability. This article presents the development of renewable energy sources for the generation of electricity within the country’s energy complex and respectively the degree to which they can meet the energy demand throughout the year in order to reduce as much as possible the degree to which fossil fuels are used for energy production. Romania has a large number of renewable energy technologies integrated into its energy mix, but the degree of development and proportion with which they cover the energy demand varies greatly. In addition, given the variable and unpredictable nature of wind and solar energy, the study attempts to provide information on the extent to which these renewable energy sources can be reliable in covering energy demand.