Análisis comparativo para generación eléctrica solar y de biomasa en los municipios de Yopal y Tauramena

Abstract

Renewable energies are an alternative for clean electricity generation that seeks to take advantage of natural energy resources. Solar energy is one of the forms of clean generation and Colombia, due to its geographic location, benefits from twelve hours of sunshine all year round (Calvo, 2009), which translates into potential for solar generation because there are more hours of generation and due to its tropical condition, more radiation; thus, it is possible to take advantage of the solar resource in almost the entire country. Regarding biomass, Colombia in general has great agricultural activity, and Casanare is one of the largest producers of some agricultural materials such as rice and oil palm, which generate vegetable residues in large quantities that can be used as energy potential (Gobernación de Casanare, 2016). This comparative analysis between electricity generation from solar and biomass resources, based on the research, allows having a baseline in the academic area of renewable energies for Casanare, which can be used for subsequent projects related to generation systems from biomass and solar energy. The analysis of these two generation sources allowed knowing the economic, environmental and social aspects in favor and against each source. This in turn contributed to the development of renewable energies at a regional and national level, and especially for Casanare is an opportunity, since it is a department with little research. The research analyzed the potential for electricity generation and also the relationship of some environmental impacts (social, ecological and economic) associated with the generation by solar and biomass resources. The environmental contribution, on the other hand, was related to the search for energy generation alternatives that are less harmful to the environment, both socially and ecologically, and that also have economic viability. The research on biomass generation has in the RAC (see page 1) its raw material or vegetable fuel, which means that waste or by-products of another activity (agricultural) will be used in the energy sector. Taking advantage of the solar potential of Casanare for electricity generation can be an opportunity at the national level in general to work from the generation from renewable sources because their "inexhaustibility" and "clean" category make them more sustainable over time than the sources currently used (UPME, 2015).