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Abstract

This paper examines the potential for the development and implementation of hybrid wind-solar power plants utilizing large-scale offshore vertical-axis wind turbines. The proposed solution aims to increase energy production and reliability through the integration of photovoltaic modules directly into the wind turbine structure. Schematics of photovoltaic modules on the upper annular surface of the respective wind turbine are considered. The operation of the hybrid power plant is described. Equations to estimate the power characteristics of the plant are given. The case study analyzes the potential energy production of a hybrid marine power plant with a diameter of 200 m at three locations with significantly different climates. The calculated results show that the potential annual energy production from the wind part of the hybrid plant can reach 1.5e4 MWh, and the energy production can reach 1528 MWh from the photovoltaic part installed on the top ring of the wind turbine, depending on the insolation conditions. This paper emphasizes the importance of geographical characteristics analysis for the optimization of hybrid system design. The relative share of annual production on the photovoltaic part of the plant does not fall below 4%, even in the northern location with a cloudy climate. The results suggest that the photovoltaic component of the hybrid power plant provides sufficient energy to supply blade rotation drives and other auxiliary consumers, which could reduce the capacity requirements of expensive energy storage devices.

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