Scholarly record
MAPPING RENEWABLE ENERGY POTENTIAL: ASSESSING THE FEASIBILITY OF WIND-SOLAR POWERED AUTONOMOUS INFRASTRUCTURE IN LATVIA
Abstract
Wind and solar energy have become increasingly viable sources of clean, sustainable power, enabling more infrastructure to operate independently of traditional energy grids. To assess the reliability of these energy sources, it is essential to evaluate how regional climate conditions influence the generation potential of renewable energy. Since wind and solar power generation is inherently irregular, analyzing both fluctuations and regional variations is crucial for making optimal decisions that ensure the continuous operation of infrastructure running on renewable energy. In this study, the potential of wind and solar energy to sustain off-grid communication towers in Latvia was assessed. To model renewable energy power generation over various time scales (yearly, monthly, daily, and hourly parameters), data from ERA5 and NEWA was utilized, incorporating long-term climate data for the climate period of 1992-2021 (the latest data available for the NEWA project). Spatial modelling techniques were employed to generate maps of renewable energy production, providing insight into the reliability of renewable resources across different regions of Latvia. By using the real-world power consumption from an communication tower as a basis, the reliability of hybrid systems under realistic operating conditions was assessed. Simulated generation outputs were compared across different regions and system configurations, revealing both temporal and spatial patterns in energy deficits. This analysis identified key seasonal vulnerabilities and highlighted the importance of optimizing the wind-to-solar configuration, as well as selecting suitable locations.
Publication Impact Profile
- Captures
- Mendeley - Readers: 6
Publication details
References13
Gielen, D., Boshell, F., Saygin, D., Bazilian, M. D., Wagner, N., & Gorini, R. (2019). The role of renewable energy in the global energy transformation. Energy Strategy Reviews, 24, 38�50. DOI: 10.1016/j.esr.2019.01.006
Osman, A. I., Chen, L., Yang, M., Msigwa, G., Farghali, M., Fawzy, S., Rooney, D. W., & Yap, P.-S. (2023). Cost, environmental impact, and resilience of renewable energy under a changing climate: A review. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 21(2), 741�764. DOI: 10.1007/s10311-022-01532-8
Sakipova, S., Jakovics, A., & Gendelis, S. (2016). The Potential of Renewable Energy Sources in Latvia. Latvian Journal of Physics and Technical Sciences, 53(1), 3�13. Scopus. DOI: 10.1515/lpts-2016-0001
Aniskevich, S., Bezrukovs, V., Zandovskis, U., & Bezrukovs, D. (2017). Modelling the Spatial Distribution of Wind Energy Resources in Latvia. Latvian Journal of Physics and Technical Sciences, 54(6), 10�20. DOI: 10.1515/lpts-2017-0037
Sile, T., Bekere, L., Cepite-Fri�felde, D., Sennikovs, J., & Bethers, U. (2014). Verification of Numerical Weather Prediction Model Results for Energy Applications in Latvia. Energy Procedia, 59, 213�220. DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2014.10.369
Sotnyk, I., Kurbatova, T., Blumberga, A., Kubatko, O., & and Kubatko, O. (2022). Solar energy development in households: Ways to improve state policy in Ukraine and Latvia. International Journal of Sustainable Energy, 41(11), 1623�1649. DOI: 10.1080/14786451.2022.2092106
Hersbach, H., Bell, B., Berrisford, P., Hirahara, S., Hor�nyi, A., Mu�oz-Sabater, J., Nicolas, J., Peubey, C., Radu, R., Schepers, D., Simmons, A., Soci, C., Abdalla, S., Abellan, X., Balsamo, G., Bechtold, P., Biavati, G., Bidlot, J., Bonavita, M., � Th�paut, J.-N. (2020). The ERA5 global reanalysis. Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, 146(730), 1999�2049. DOI: 10.1002/qj.3803
NEW EUROPEAN WIND ATLAS. Https://Www.Neweuropeanwindatlas.Eu. Retrieved 10 June 2025, from https://www.neweuropeanwindatlas.eu/
ECMWF. (2025, June 5). ECMWF. https://www.ecmwf.int/
Bauer, L. Vestas V80-2 MW. Wind turbine. Retrieved 27 May 2025, from https://en.wind-turbine-models.com/turbines/19-vestas-v80-2.0
JinkoSolar JKM400M-72HL-V. EnergySage. Retrieved 27 May 2025, from https://www.energysage.com/equipment/solar-panels/jinko-solar/eagle-hc-72m-g2-400-2c5c1022/
Yaskawa Solectria Solar PVI 50-100kW. Retrieved 16 June 2025, from https://www.enfsolar.com/pv/inverter-datasheet/637
Haas, S., Schachler, B., Krien, U., & Bosch, S. (2019). windpowerlib: A python library to model wind power plants (v0.1.1) [Computer software]. Zenodo. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.2554166
View or Download full articleAccess options
SWS access login
Login as SWS Scientific CommitteeLogin as SWS Scientific PartnerLogin as SWS AuthorAuthors and approved SWS contributors will read and export their own linked papers after identity matching by SWS profile, email and SGEM GlobalID.
For librarian assistance: [email protected]
Purchase Instant Access
- Article can be downloaded after successful payment.
- Article may be used according to SWS library access terms.
- Article cannot be redistributed.