Flexible photovoltaic systems for renewable energy integration in Lazio region, Italy

Italy is expanding its renewable electricity generation to meet European energy and environmental targets. The aim of this work is to study and implement a strategy to promote a high self-production of non-programmable renewable energies (solar and wind) in the electricity mix of an Italian region (Lazio), to reach the target of 100 % Renewable Energy Source (RES) by 2050 set in the Regional Energy Plan (PER). This can be achieved through the innovative concept of “flexible PV” that has the potential to make solar power generation 24/365. The results showed that by oversizing the photovoltaic in relation to the annual electricity demand and using optimized batteries, 90 % of the electricity demand of the Lazio region can be satisfied by photovoltaic and the remaining 10 % by hydro and wind power. To reach this target, Lazio would need to install 34.73 GWp of photovoltaic capacity and 42.34 GWh of batteries at an optimum cost of 92.21 €/MWh (costs estimated at 2050). In addition, the integration of wind energy into the grid was studied to reduce the photovoltaic capacity.