IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v16y2023i20p7109-d1260886.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Assessment of Wind and Solar Power Potential and Their Temporal Complementarity in China’s Northwestern Provinces: Insights from ERA5 Reanalysis

Author

Listed:
  • Wei Fang

    (State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, School of Water Resources and Hydropower, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China)

  • Cheng Yang

    (State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, School of Water Resources and Hydropower, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China)

  • Dengfeng Liu

    (State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, School of Water Resources and Hydropower, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China)

  • Qiang Huang

    (State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, School of Water Resources and Hydropower, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China)

  • Bo Ming

    (State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, School of Water Resources and Hydropower, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China)

  • Long Cheng

    (PowerChina Northwest Engineering Corporation Limited, Xi’an 710065, China)

  • Lu Wang

    (Beijing IWHR Corporation, Beijing 100048, China)

  • Gang Feng

    (State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, School of Water Resources and Hydropower, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China)

  • Jianan Shang

    (State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, School of Water Resources and Hydropower, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China)

Abstract

In the quest to scientifically develop power systems increasingly reliant on renewable energy sources, the potential and temporal complementarity of wind and solar power in China’s northwestern provinces necessitated a systematic assessment. Using ERA5 reanalysis data for wind speed and solar irradiance, an evaluation was carried out to determine the potential and spatial distribution of wind and solar power across these provinces. Land use types and terrestrial surface slopes were considered in gauging this potential. Theoretical wind and solar power outputs were then compared to understand their complementarity on annual, monthly, and hourly temporal scales. This exploration utilized methodologies including rank correlation coefficients, crossover frequency analysis, and standard deviation complementarity rates. Areas such as the Tarim Basin, Jungar Basin, and the northeastern part of Xinjiang, northwestern Qinghai, and northern Gansu were identified as having significant wind and solar power potential, with wind power densities reaching as high as 600 W/m 2 and solar irradiance surpassing 2000 kWh/m 2 . In these energy-rich areas, the distinct complementarity between theoretical wind and solar outputs was discerned. On an annual scale, the complementarity appeared weakest, with only 7.48% of the combined provinces’ area showing medium-level complementarity. On a monthly scale, conversely, a pronounced complementarity was displayed, especially during the March–May and October–November periods. When evaluated on an hourly basis, an impressive 63.63% of the total output duration exhibited complementary characteristics.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Fang & Cheng Yang & Dengfeng Liu & Qiang Huang & Bo Ming & Long Cheng & Lu Wang & Gang Feng & Jianan Shang, 2023. "Assessment of Wind and Solar Power Potential and Their Temporal Complementarity in China’s Northwestern Provinces: Insights from ERA5 Reanalysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-23, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:20:p:7109-:d:1260886
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/20/7109/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/20/7109/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ulazia, Alain & Sáenz, Jon & Ibarra-Berastegi, Gabriel & González-Rojí, Santos J. & Carreno-Madinabeitia, Sheila, 2019. "Global estimations of wind energy potential considering seasonal air density changes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    2. Janke, Jason R., 2010. "Multicriteria GIS modeling of wind and solar farms in Colorado," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(10), pages 2228-2234.
    3. Sun, Yanwei & Li, Ying & Wang, Run & Ma, Renfeng, 2023. "Assessing the national synergy potential of onshore and offshore renewable energy from the perspective of resources dynamic and complementarity," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    4. Fyrippis, Ioannis & Axaopoulos, Petros J. & Panayiotou, Gregoris, 2010. "Wind energy potential assessment in Naxos Island, Greece," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(2), pages 577-586, February.
    5. Ren, Guorui & Wan, Jie & Liu, Jinfu & Yu, Daren, 2019. "Spatial and temporal assessments of complementarity for renewable energy resources in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 262-275.
    6. Ikegami, Takashi & Urabe, Chiyori T. & Saitou, Tetsuo & Ogimoto, Kazuhiko, 2018. "Numerical definitions of wind power output fluctuations for power system operations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 6-15.
    7. Liu, Laibao & Wang, Zheng & Wang, Yang & Wang, Jun & Chang, Rui & He, Gang & Tang, Wenjun & Gao, Ziqi & Li, Jiangtao & Liu, Changyi & Zhao, Lin & Qin, Dahe & Li, Shuangcheng, 2020. "Optimizing wind/solar combinations at finer scales to mitigate renewable energy variability in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    8. Martins, F.R. & Pereira, E.B. & Silva, S.A.B. & Abreu, S.L. & Colle, Sergio, 2008. "Solar energy scenarios in Brazil, Part one: Resource assessment," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(8), pages 2843-2854, August.
    9. Aifeng Lv & Taohui Li & Wenxiang Zhang & Yonghao Liu, 2022. "Spatiotemporal Distribution and Complementarity of Wind and Solar Energy in China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-16, October.
    10. Mourtadha Sarhan Sachit & Helmi Zulhaidi Mohd Shafri & Ahmad Fikri Abdullah & Azmin Shakrine Mohd Rafie, 2021. "Combining Re-Analyzed Climate Data and Landcover Products to Assess the Temporal Complementarity of Wind and Solar Resources in Iraq," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-20, December.
    11. Sofia Spyridonidou & Dimitra G. Vagiona, 2020. "Systematic Review of Site-Selection Processes in Onshore and Offshore Wind Energy Research," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-26, November.
    12. Liu, Wen & Lund, Henrik & Mathiesen, Brian Vad & Zhang, Xiliang, 2011. "Potential of renewable energy systems in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(2), pages 518-525, February.
    13. Han, Shuang & Zhang, Lu-na & Liu, Yong-qian & Zhang, Hao & Yan, Jie & Li, Li & Lei, Xiao-hui & Wang, Xu, 2019. "Quantitative evaluation method for the complementarity of wind–solar–hydro power and optimization of wind–solar ratio," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 236(C), pages 973-984.
    14. Zhang, Hengxu & Cao, Yongji & Zhang, Yi & Terzija, Vladimir, 2018. "Quantitative synergy assessment of regional wind-solar energy resources based on MERRA reanalysis data," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 172-182.
    15. Rafiq Asghar & Zahid Ullah & Babar Azeem & Sheraz Aslam & Muhammad Harris Hashmi & Ehtsham Rasool & Bilawal Shaker & Muhammad Junaid Anwar & Kainat Mustafa, 2022. "Wind Energy Potential in Pakistan: A Feasibility Study in Sindh Province," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-23, November.
    16. Shahbaz, Muhammad & Topcu, Betül Altay & Sarıgül, Sevgi Sümerli & Vo, Xuan Vinh, 2021. "The effect of financial development on renewable energy demand: The case of developing countries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 1370-1380.
    17. Ohunakin, Olayinka S., 2011. "Assessment of wind energy resources for electricity generation using WECS in North-Central region, Nigeria," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(4), pages 1968-1976, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Xiaomei Ma & Yongqian Liu & Jie Yan & Han Wang, 2023. "A WGAN-GP-Based Scenarios Generation Method for Wind and Solar Power Complementary Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-20, March.
    2. Gao, Yang & Ma, Shaoxiu & Wang, Tao & Miao, Changhong & Yang, Fan, 2022. "Distributed onshore wind farm siting using intelligent optimization algorithm based on spatial and temporal variability of wind energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    3. Fuquan Zhao & Fanlong Bai & Xinglong Liu & Zongwei Liu, 2022. "A Review on Renewable Energy Transition under China’s Carbon Neutrality Target," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-27, November.
    4. Harrison-Atlas, Dylan & Murphy, Caitlin & Schleifer, Anna & Grue, Nicholas, 2022. "Temporal complementarity and value of wind-PV hybrid systems across the United States," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P1), pages 111-123.
    5. Jakub Jurasz & Jerzy Mikulik & Paweł B. Dąbek & Mohammed Guezgouz & Bartosz Kaźmierczak, 2021. "Complementarity and ‘Resource Droughts’ of Solar and Wind Energy in Poland: An ERA5-Based Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-24, February.
    6. Lindberg, O. & Lingfors, D. & Arnqvist, J., 2022. "Analyzing the mechanisms behind temporal correlation between power sources using frequency separated time scales: A Swedish case study on PV and wind," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    7. Henao, Felipe & Viteri, Juan P. & Rodríguez, Yeny & Gómez, Juan & Dyner, Isaac, 2020. "Annual and interannual complementarities of renewable energy sources in Colombia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    8. Wei Sun & Sam Harrison & Gareth P. Harrison, 2020. "Value of Local Offshore Renewable Resource Diversity for Network Hosting Capacity," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-20, November.
    9. António Couto & Ana Estanqueiro, 2020. "Exploring Wind and Solar PV Generation Complementarity to Meet Electricity Demand," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-21, August.
    10. Wang, Zhenni & Wen, Xin & Tan, Qiaofeng & Fang, Guohua & Lei, Xiaohui & Wang, Hao & Yan, Jinyue, 2021. "Potential assessment of large-scale hydro-photovoltaic-wind hybrid systems on a global scale," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    11. Kumbuso Joshua Nyoni & Anesu Maronga & Paul Gerard Tuohy & Agabu Shane, 2021. "Hydro–Connected Floating PV Renewable Energy System and Onshore Wind Potential in Zambia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-42, August.
    12. Hou, Wenjuan & Zhang, Xueliang & Wu, Maowei & Yuxin Feng, & Yang, Linsheng, 2022. "Integrating stability and complementarity to assess the accommodable generation potential of multiscale solar and wind resources: A case study in a resource-based area in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PB).
    13. Berger, Mathias & Radu, David & Fonteneau, Raphaël & Henry, Robin & Glavic, Mevludin & Fettweis, Xavier & Le Du, Marc & Panciatici, Patrick & Balea, Lucian & Ernst, Damien, 2020. "Critical time windows for renewable resource complementarity assessment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    14. Martinez, A. & Iglesias, G., 2022. "Mapping of the levelised cost of energy for floating offshore wind in the European Atlantic," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    15. Ana Rita Silva & Ana Estanqueiro, 2022. "From Wind to Hybrid: A Contribution to the Optimal Design of Utility-Scale Hybrid Power Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-19, April.
    16. Prasad, Abhnil Amtesh & Yang, Yuqing & Kay, Merlinde & Menictas, Chris & Bremner, Stephen, 2021. "Synergy of solar photovoltaics-wind-battery systems in Australia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    17. Jung, Christopher & Schindler, Dirk, 2021. "A global wind farm potential index to increase energy yields and accessibility," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    18. Wimhurst, Joshua J. & Greene, J. Scott & Koch, Jennifer, 2023. "Predicting commercial wind farm site suitability in the conterminous United States using a logistic regression model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 352(C).
    19. Mourtadha Sarhan Sachit & Helmi Zulhaidi Mohd Shafri & Ahmad Fikri Abdullah & Azmin Shakrine Mohd Rafie, 2021. "Combining Re-Analyzed Climate Data and Landcover Products to Assess the Temporal Complementarity of Wind and Solar Resources in Iraq," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-20, December.
    20. Diana Cantor & Andrés Ochoa & Oscar Mesa, 2022. "Total Variation-Based Metrics for Assessing Complementarity in Energy Resources Time Series," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-15, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:20:p:7109-:d:1260886. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.