1. The impact of financial support mechanisms and geopolitical factors on the profitability of investments in solar power plants in SloveniaIztok Gornjak, Filip Kokalj, Niko Samec, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: This article examines the impact of financial support mechanisms and geopolitical factors on the profitability of investments in solar power plants within Slovenia. The European Union’s energy policy prioritizes increases in renewable energy sources, aiming to reduce dependency on unstable and volatile fossil fuel markets. Solar power plants play a vital role in this transition. The energy policy framework also includes mechanisms and support systems to operate such facilities. This article analyzes electricity price trends over the past decade and addresses which support type—guaranteed purchase or operational support—has proven more profitable for investments in solar power plants up to 50 kW in Slovenia, considering economic and geopolitical influences on the electricity market. Although the global energy market has been affected by various significant events in recent years, it was found that the COVID-19 pandemic had minimal impact on the electricity market. In contrast, the onset of the conflict in Ukraine has contributed to rising electricity prices and has influenced the support dynamics essential for the development and sustainability of renewable energy systems. Analyses from the past decade indicate a higher return on investment in solar power plants when operational support mechanisms are chosen over guaranteed purchase support.
Keywords: renewable energy sources, solar power plants, support system, investment profitability factors, electricity price
Published in DKUM: 16.12.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 5
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2. Conceptualizing a new circular economy feature - storing renewable electricity in batteries beyond EV end-of-life : the case of SloveniaMatevž Obrecht, Rhythm Singh, Timitej Zorman, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose: This paper aims to forecast the availability of used but operational electric vehicle (EV) batteries to integrate them into a circular economy concept of EVs’ end-of-life (EOL) phase. Since EVs currently on the roads will become obsolete after 2030, this study focuses on the 2030–2040 period and links future renewable electricity production with the potential for storing it into used EVs’ batteries. Even though battery capacity decreases by 80% or less, these batteries will remain operational and can still be seen as a valuable solution for storing peaks of renewable energy production beyond EV EOL.
Design/methodology/approach: Storing renewable electricity is gaining as much attention as increasing its production and share. However, storing it in new batteries can be expensive as well as material and energyintensive; therefore, existing capacities should be considered. The use of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is among the most exciting concepts on how to achieve it. Since reduced battery capacity decreases car manufacturers’ interest in battery reuse and recycling is environmentally hazardous, these batteries should be integrated into the future electricity storage system. Extending the life cycle of batteries from EVs beyond the EV’s life cycle is identified as a potential solution for both BEVEOL and electricity storage.
Findings: Results revealed a rise of photovoltaic (PV) solar power plants and an increasing number of EVs EOL that will have to be considered. It was forecasted that 6.27–7.22% of electricity from PV systems in scenario A (if EV lifetime is predicted to be 20 years) and 18.82–21.68% of electricity from PV systems in scenario B (if EV lifetime is predicted to be 20 years) could be stored in batteries. Storing electricity in EV batteries beyond EV EOL would significantly decrease the need for raw materials, increase energy system and EV sustainability performance simultaneously and enable leaner and more efficient electricity production and distribution network.
Practical implications: Storing electricity in used batteries would significantly decrease the need for primary materials as well as optimizing lean and efficient electricity production network.
Originality/value: Energy storage is one of the priorities of energy companies but can be expensive as well as material and energy-intensive. The use of BEV is among the most interesting concepts on how to achieve it, but they are considered only when in the use phase as vehicle to grid (V2G) concept. Because reduced battery capacity decreases the interest of car manufacturers to reuse batteries and recycling is environmentally risky, these batteries should be used for storing, especially renewable electricity peaks. Extending the life cycle of batteries beyond the EV’s life cycle is identified as a potential solution for both BEV EOL and energy system sustainability, enabling more efficient energy management performance. The idea itself along with forecasting its potential is the main novelty of this paper.
Keywords: circular economy, renewable electricity, storing renewable electricity, batteries, renewable energy
Published in DKUM: 04.10.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 5
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3. Public support of solar electricity and its impact on households - prosumersJarmila Zimmermannová, Adam Pawliczek, Petr Čermák, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Background and Purpose: Currently, the idea of households - prosumers is broadly discussed in public governments, mainly in connection with both the energy security issues and the environmental issues. Therefore, the main goal of this paper is to present new agent model of household - prosumer and to compare two scenarios – “off grid household” and “on grid household”. The additional goal is to evaluate the impact of public support of solar electricity on the economic efficiency of household – prosumer projects (systems).
Design/Methodology/Approach: The model is structured as a micro-level agent model, representing one household – prosumer. The model has the following general characteristics: one household with own electricity generation (photovoltaic panels), battery and in case of “on grid household” also connection to the grid. The main goal of the agent is to cover electricity consumption in household with minimal costs. The agent model of prosumer is tested and validated, using the empirical data.
Results: The highest level of subsidy has significant impact on the economic indicators of selected scenarios. It causes lower investment costs at the beginning of the project and consequently shorter payback period (3-4 years earlier), positive cumulative cash flow, net present value and IRR in earlier period (approximately 5-10 years earlier, depending on the scenario).
Conclusion: We can recommend to the government to continue with current system of subsidies, since it contributes to better economic indicators of particular solar electricity projects. On the other hand, the level of subsidy should be at least the same as in current year 2017, for the purposes of representing the significant part of the investment costs. Low level of subsidy has negligible impact on the economic indicators of households – prosumers projects. The developed agent model is suitable for the evaluation of economic impact of public support on households – prosumers.
Keywords: renewable electricity, photovoltaics, prosumers, households, public support, agent model, energy model
Published in DKUM: 07.05.2018; Views: 1384; Downloads: 421
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4. The value of "vehicle to grid" integration into warehouse logistics management : case of Slovenian retailerMatjaž Knez, Péter Bajor, 2011, original scientific article Abstract: Wide-scale application photovoltaic energy sources for electricity production purposes is quite a challenge in Slovenia. The nature of sun is unpredictable, and the Slovenian National Grid has no significant storage opportunities today - if the V2G (vehicle-to-grid) solutions could be competitive in the near future we could prepare for the special circumstances: the batteries of electrically driven forklifts could provide attractive storage functions for renewable electricity storage. The following paper presents an overview of some "environmental background approaches" to show the complexity of this innovative system and to show the value of V2G technology and its application in warehouse logistics.
Keywords: renewable electricity, photovoltaics, warehouse logistics management, v2G
Published in DKUM: 10.07.2015; Views: 1635; Downloads: 203
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