Validation of the efficiency of using solar energy resources for autonomous power supply of the trans-border area between Russia and Mongolia

Abstract

The study provides an analysis of the state of the electric power supply in the trans-border area of Baikal-Khövsgöl. We identified the problems of power supply and the presence of decentralized consumers. The analysis of indicators of solar energy resources of the area from both Mongolia and Russia sides was based on various data sources. The NASA data of solar radiation incident on the different surfaces was selected for further calculations and zoning of the area. We evaluated the economic feasibility of the construction of the solar power plant (SPP) serving tourism infrastructure facilities with a capacity of 10 to 100 persons located on the northern coast of Lake Khövsgöl, which are provided with electricity from diesel power plants (DPP). The research used an iterative express method for determining the optimal power of a SPP for autonomous power supply, developed by the authors. The criterion for optimality is the minimum ratio of capital investment in a SPP and the cost of substituted fuel at a DPP.The research findings attest to the fact that the introduction of the SPP for standalone electric power supply seems to be economically viable for both stationary and mobile facilities. Undiscounted payback periods resulted from the diesel fuel substitution range from 2.5 to 6 years.