PV to reduce evaporative losses in the channels of the São Francisco’s River water transposition project
Abstract Open water transposition channels in hot and arid regions, like those in the São Francisco River Integration Project (PISF) in Brazil, suffer significant water losses through evaporation. This paper proposes covering these channels with photovoltaic (PV) panels to reduce evaporation while s...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56952-z |
| _version_ | 1797247328347750400 |
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| author | Uri Stiubiener Adriano Gomes de Freitas Janne Heilala Igor Fuser |
| author_facet | Uri Stiubiener Adriano Gomes de Freitas Janne Heilala Igor Fuser |
| author_sort | Uri Stiubiener |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Open water transposition channels in hot and arid regions, like those in the São Francisco River Integration Project (PISF) in Brazil, suffer significant water losses through evaporation. This paper proposes covering these channels with photovoltaic (PV) panels to reduce evaporation while simultaneously generating clean energy. The research aims to quantify water savings and energy generation potential across all channel lengths and assess whether the generated solar power can substitute grid electricity for powering the transposition pumps during peak hours, thereby enhancing energy efficiency. This study analyzed the state-of-the-art of PV generation and calculated their solar potential. Identified the specific characteristics of PISF channels and watercourses considering the regional geography, meteorology, irradiation, and social peculiarities. And, finally, assessed the feasibility of covering the watercourses with solar panels. The results reveal that covering all current PISF channels with PV panels could save up to 25,000 cubic meters of water per day, significantly contributing to water security and improving the quality of life for the local population. Additionally, the project could generate 1200 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, meeting the energy demands of the transposition pumps during peak hours and promoting energy efficiency within the project. This research paves the way for utilizing PV technology to address water scarcity challenges and enhance the sustainability of water infrastructure projects in arid regions worldwide. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:56:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4c8b9190d1994ce996d2e00f9910ea74 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:56:57Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-4c8b9190d1994ce996d2e00f9910ea742024-03-24T12:18:18ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-03-0114111410.1038/s41598-024-56952-zPV to reduce evaporative losses in the channels of the São Francisco’s River water transposition projectUri Stiubiener0Adriano Gomes de Freitas1Janne Heilala2Igor Fuser3Graduate Academic Program on Energy, The Federal University of ABC – UFABCGraduate Academic Program on Energy, The Federal University of ABC – UFABCFaculty of Technology, The University of TurkuGraduate Academic Program on Energy, The Federal University of ABC – UFABCAbstract Open water transposition channels in hot and arid regions, like those in the São Francisco River Integration Project (PISF) in Brazil, suffer significant water losses through evaporation. This paper proposes covering these channels with photovoltaic (PV) panels to reduce evaporation while simultaneously generating clean energy. The research aims to quantify water savings and energy generation potential across all channel lengths and assess whether the generated solar power can substitute grid electricity for powering the transposition pumps during peak hours, thereby enhancing energy efficiency. This study analyzed the state-of-the-art of PV generation and calculated their solar potential. Identified the specific characteristics of PISF channels and watercourses considering the regional geography, meteorology, irradiation, and social peculiarities. And, finally, assessed the feasibility of covering the watercourses with solar panels. The results reveal that covering all current PISF channels with PV panels could save up to 25,000 cubic meters of water per day, significantly contributing to water security and improving the quality of life for the local population. Additionally, the project could generate 1200 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, meeting the energy demands of the transposition pumps during peak hours and promoting energy efficiency within the project. This research paves the way for utilizing PV technology to address water scarcity challenges and enhance the sustainability of water infrastructure projects in arid regions worldwide.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56952-zWater preservationSustainabilityC-free power generationSolar canalsEfficiency improvement |
| spellingShingle | Uri Stiubiener Adriano Gomes de Freitas Janne Heilala Igor Fuser PV to reduce evaporative losses in the channels of the São Francisco’s River water transposition project Scientific Reports Water preservation Sustainability C-free power generation Solar canals Efficiency improvement |
| title | PV to reduce evaporative losses in the channels of the São Francisco’s River water transposition project |
| title_full | PV to reduce evaporative losses in the channels of the São Francisco’s River water transposition project |
| title_fullStr | PV to reduce evaporative losses in the channels of the São Francisco’s River water transposition project |
| title_full_unstemmed | PV to reduce evaporative losses in the channels of the São Francisco’s River water transposition project |
| title_short | PV to reduce evaporative losses in the channels of the São Francisco’s River water transposition project |
| title_sort | pv to reduce evaporative losses in the channels of the sao francisco s river water transposition project |
| topic | Water preservation Sustainability C-free power generation Solar canals Efficiency improvement |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56952-z |
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