Hybrid Solar Plant Comparisons in Ontario: Implications for Canadian and Global Development and Investment Strategies

Anthropogenic climate change is driven by the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). To limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and satisfy growing global energy demand, new sources of energy with low GHG emission levels must be developed. Furthermore, at a national level, Canada is not close to meeting its GHG emission reduction targets under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Hybrid solar power plants have been identified as a potential source of reliable, abundant, and environmentally friendly energy. By combining energy sources, hybrid power plants are able to overcome issues such as intermittency and excess electricity that are typically associated with renewable energy sources. However, significant logistical and contextual questions remain concerning the best strategies for hybrid energy development at the national and international levels.

This research used hybrid modelling software (HOMER Pro) to perform a direct comparative analysis of the performance and efficacy of a series of different hybrid solar power plant designs. The study compared a variety of hybrid solar power plant designs (using solar, wind, batteries, and fossil fuel generators) on the basis of three equal factors (GHG emission reductions, power generation and reliability, and cost-effectiveness), under the same environmental conditions and location (Peterborough, Ontario).

The modelling results showed that the hybrid solar power plant designs H5 (PV-BAT-DG) and H10 (PV-BAT-NG) performed best across all three primary factors of analysis. H7 (PV-Wind-BAT-DG) and H11 (PV-Wind-BAT-NG) produced the lowest quantities of GHG emissions among all of the hybrid solar power plant designs.

Canada and countries with similar pollution pricing measures should invest in H7 (PV-Wind-BAT-DG) and H11 (PV-Wind-BAT-NG) hybrid designs in order to maximize GHG emission reductions and develop, diversify energy resources, and service increasing long-term energy demands. Countries that are more concerned with short-term cost-effectiveness as well as reducing GHG emissions should focus on the H5 (PV-BAT-DG) and H10 (PV-BAT-NG) hybrid

designs.