How Finland is leading the way in renewable energy with hybrid systems

Finland is a country that has set ambitious climate goals, aiming to reach carbon neutrality by 2035 and to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 90-95% by 2050. To achieve these targets, Finland is relying on a mix of energy sources that includes nuclear, hydro, wind, solar and bioenergy. In this article, we will focus on the renewable energy sector in Finland, especially on the potential of hybrid systems that combine wind and solar power.

What is a hybrid system and why is it important?

A hybrid system is a combination of two or more renewable energy sources that can complement each other and provide a more stable and reliable supply of electricity. For example, a hybrid system can consist of wind turbines and solar panels that are connected to the same grid or battery storage. When the wind is blowing, the wind turbines can generate electricity and when the sun is shining, the solar panels can do the same. When both sources are available, the excess electricity can be stored in batteries or sold to the grid. When neither source is available, the batteries can provide backup power or the grid can supply electricity from other sources.

Hybrid systems are important for several reasons. First, they can help improve the baseload of the electricity system, which is the minimum amount of power that is needed at any given time. By having multiple sources of renewable energy, hybrid systems can reduce the variability and uncertainty of power generation and ensure that there is always enough electricity to meet the demand. Second, they can help reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and lower the greenhouse gas emissions of the electricity sector. By using renewable energy sources instead of coal, natural gas or oil, hybrid systems can avoid the combustion of fossil fuels and the associated pollution and climate impact. Third, they can help lower the cost of electricity and increase the competitiveness of renewable energy. By combining different sources of renewable energy, hybrid systems can optimize the use of resources and infrastructure and reduce the need for expensive backup power or grid reinforcements.

How is Finland developing its hybrid systems?

Finland is a country that has a high potential for renewable energy, especially for wind and solar power. According to Statistics Finland, renewable energy accounted for 43% of Finland's total energy supply in 2020, with bioenergy being the largest source (28%), followed by hydro (6%), wind (3%) and solar (0.1%). Finland has set a target to increase its share of renewable energy to 51% by 2030, with specific goals for electricity (53%), heating and cooling (61%) and transport (45%).

To achieve these goals, Finland is investing in developing its wind and solar power capacity, as well as in integrating them into hybrid systems. According to IEA's 2023 Energy Policy Review, Finland's wind power capacity increased from 0.2 GW in 2011 to 2.5 GW in 2021, making it one of the fastest-growing markets in Europe. Finland's solar power capacity also grew from 0.01 GW in 2011 to 0.2 GW in 2021, with most of it being installed on rooftops and buildings. Finland plans to further expand its wind and solar power capacity to 7 GW and 2 GW respectively by 2030.

To make the best use of its wind and solar resources, Finland is also exploring the possibilities of hybrid systems that can combine them with other technologies such as batteries, hydrogen or biofuels. For example, Finland has several pilot projects that are testing different types of hybrid systems, such as:

- The LEMENE project in Tampere, which consists of a microgrid that connects a 4 MW solar park, a 6 MW wind farm, a 1 MW battery storage system and a biogas plant that produces heat and power for local industries and households.

- The Flexens project in Åland Islands, which aims to create a fully renewable energy system that integrates wind, solar, hydro, biomass and waste-to-energy plants with battery storage, electric vehicles and smart demand response.

- The Wärtsilä Smart Power Generation project in Suomenoja, which combines a 100 MW gas engine plant with a 1 MW battery storage system and a 1 MW solar plant that can provide flexible power generation and grid balancing services.

What are the benefits of hybrid systems for Finland?

Hybrid systems can offer many benefits for Finland's renewable energy sector and its climate goals. Some of these benefits are:

- Improving the reliability and security of electricity supply: Hybrid systems can reduce the intermittency and unpredictability of wind and solar power by providing backup power or grid support when needed. This can enhance the stability and resilience of the electricity system and avoid blackouts or power shortages.

- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact: Hybrid systems can lower the carbon footprint and the pollution of the electricity sector by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. This can help Finland achieve its climate targets and contribute to the global efforts to mitigate climate change.

- Lowering the cost of electricity and increasing the competitiveness of renewable energy: Hybrid systems can optimize the use of resources and infrastructure and reduce the need for expensive backup power or grid reinforcements. This can lower the cost of electricity production and transmission and make renewable energy more affordable and attractive for consumers and investors.

- Supporting the development of local and regional energy markets: Hybrid systems can enable the participation of small-scale and distributed renewable energy producers and consumers in the electricity market. This can create new business opportunities and revenue streams for local communities and regions, as well as increase their energy autonomy and self-sufficiency.

How does Finland's climate and geography affect its hybrid systems?

Finland is a country that has a unique climate and geography that pose some challenges but also some opportunities for its hybrid systems. Some of these factors are:

- The long and dark winters: Finland is located in the northernmost part of Europe, where the daylight hours are very short in winter and very long in summer. This means that solar power production is very low in winter and very high in summer, creating a seasonal mismatch between supply and demand. To overcome this challenge, hybrid systems can use wind power, which is more abundant and consistent in winter, or battery storage, which can store excess solar power in summer and release it in winter.

- The cold and snowy weather: Finland is a country that experiences cold and snowy weather for most of the year, which can affect the performance and maintenance of wind and solar power plants. For example, snow can cover the solar panels and reduce their output, or ice can form on the wind turbine blades and increase their drag. To cope with this challenge, hybrid systems can use technologies such as anti-icing coatings, heating elements or snow removal devices that can prevent or remove snow and ice from the wind and solar power plants.

- The abundant forest resources: Finland is a country that has a rich forest cover, which accounts for 75% of its land area. Forests are a valuable source of bioenergy, which can be used to produce heat, power or biofuels. Bioenergy can complement wind and solar power in hybrid systems by providing a flexible and dispatchable source of renewable energy that can balance the variability of wind and solar power. Bioenergy can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using waste or residues from forestry or agriculture as feedstock.

Conclusion

Finland is a country that has a strong commitment to renewable energy and climate action, as well as a high potential for wind and solar power. By developing hybrid systems that combine wind and solar power with other technologies such as batteries, hydrogen or biofuels, Finland can achieve its ambitious climate goals while ensuring its energy security and promoting its sustainable economy.

Hybrid systems can offer many benefits for Finland's renewable energy sector, such as improving the reliability and security of electricity supply, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact, lowering the cost of electricity and increasing the competitiveness of renewable energy, and supporting the development of local and regional energy markets. Finland's climate and geography also pose some challenges but also some opportunities for its hybrid systems, which can be addressed by using appropriate technologies and solutions.

If you are interested in learning more or need professional assistance with your designs, engineering and feasibility studies, please feel free to contact me or any of the PV solar experts at #Welado. I would love to hear from you and discuss how we can work together to make your hybrid renewable dreams a reality. Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more updates on my LinkedIn page.

The renewable energy sector is one of the fastest-growing and most innovative industries in the world. Renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, offer many benefits for the environment, the economy and society. However, renewable energy also faces some challenges, such as intermittency, variability and grid integration. How can we overcome these challenges and make renewable energy more reliable, affordable and accessible?
 
One possible solution is to use hybrid energy systems that combine wind and solar power. A hybrid energy system is an alternative power generation system that pairs two or more sources of electricity production. By harnessing the strengths of wind and solar power, this hybrid system maximizes energy production and minimizes waste.

Chris Murray, chris.murray@welado.fi, +358 40 149 3888

EPC Project Manager & PV Solar expert | BMS & HVAC | Finland