Energy saving potential of industrial solar collectors in southern regions of Russia: The case of krasnodar region

Abstract

Industrial low-temperature processes are a promising sector for the introduction of solar collectors, which can partially, and in some cases, completely, replace traditional heat supply technologies. In Krasnodar Region (Russia), it is shown that the energy-saving potential when introducing industrial solar collectors only at food industry enterprises can make up 16%-17% of the total amount of thermal energy produced in the region annually. The global market of industrial solar collectors is currently developing almost without any government incentives, only due to market mechanisms, which indicates the commercial attractiveness of the technology. According to the predicted estimates, levelized cost of energy produced by industrial solar collectors in the southern regions of Russia may amount to 3.8-6.6 rubles per kWh. Even though the forecast estimates are higher than current tariffs, the economic feasibility of using solar collectors in the industry increases significantly if it is not possible to connect to centralized heating networks, as well as in the case of the seasonal load of industrial facilities. As a measure of state incentives for the development of industrial solar collectors in Russia, we offer state co-financing of demonstration projects of Russian manufacturers. This will increase the level of awareness of the population and businesses about the capabilities of this technology. Also, it will increase the technical competencies and innovative potential of companies involved in the production and installation of solar collectors.