Geographical aspects of renewable energy development in Chernivtsi region
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31861/geo.2025.854.119-129Keywords:
renewable energy,, geographical factors,, sustainable development,, solar energy,, wind energy,, small hydroelectric power plants.Abstract
Renewable energy is one of the priority areas for the development of the energy complex of Ukraine in the post-war period on the basis of sustainable development and revival of economic potential. Therefore, an important area of geographical research is the identification and study of the development potential of this sector of the economy in different regions of the state. These problems are especially relevant in the context of Russian aggression, when one of the priority goals of the enemy is the energy facilities of Ukraine and its energy infrastructure.
The basis for the development of renewable energy is natural conditions and resources that are characterized by significant distribution, can quickly restore their qualitative and quantitative characteristics, and their use does not lead to negative environmental and socio-economic consequences. Thus, this type of energy is the basis for sustainable development of territories.
The proposed article reveals the geographical factors of development in the Chernivtsi region of such areas of renewable energy as solar, wind energy and small (non-pressure) hydropower. As a result, significant dependences of the development of the above-mentioned branches of renewable energy on changes in the natural and geographical conditions of the territory were established. The key geographical factor that is decisive for the development of solar generation should be considered the amount of solar radiation that reaches the earth's surface and is converted into electricity by photovoltaic cells combined into solar panels. The amount of solar radiation in a certain territory depends on the angle of incidence of the sun's rays. This indicator is determined by the geographical latitude of the territory on which a solar power plant can potentially be located. The prevailing climatic conditions (cloudiness of the sky), the duration of daylight, as well as the general exposure of slopes of various landforms (hills, ravines, quarries, etc.) also have a significant impact on the amount of solar radiation. The best natural and geographical conditions for the development of solar energy in Chernivtsi region are formed in the spring-summer period. At this time, there is an increase in the angle of incidence of sunlight and the duration of daylight hours (daytime), and the coverage of the sky by clouds decreases.
One of the most widely used sources of renewable energy in the world today is wind. Wind energy is an environmentally friendly and relatively stable source of electricity production, which meets the basic principles of sustainable development of regions of Ukraine and the world.
Of decisive importance for the formation of the potential for the development of wind energy in a certain territory are the speed indicators and, as a consequence, the wind force and their constancy. These indicators depend on the characteristics of the geographical position of the territory relative to constant air mass flows, the height, promising for the development of this type of electricity, the terrain above sea level (watersheds, mountain ranges), as well as the openness of the terrain, which is expressed in the absence of obstacles to the growth of wind speed (buildings, forests, etc.).
Chernivtsi region is located within the influence of the western air mass transfer, however, its continental location affects the formation of the speed, strength and direction of wind flows. These indicators significantly affect the power of wind generators and therefore their economic efficiency. It should be noted that for the production of wind electricity, most wind generators require a minimum wind speed of 2.0 m/s. At lower speeds, they are unable to produce electricity. With an increase in the wind speed, the volume of electricity production also increases. It should be noted that in the studied region, windless (calm) and slightly windy (up to 2 m/s) weather is observed for 37.6% of the time. Winds with a speed of 2-6 m/s are observed for 59.3% of the time, and with a speed of 6-10 m/s - 12.5%. At the same time, strong winds with a speed of over 10 m/s are observed in the region quite rarely - 0.6% of the total number of observations.
Therefore, the obtained data indicate that within the Chernivtsi region, a fairly powerful potential for the development of wind energy has been formed. Winds with a speed of more than 2 m/s (the minimum wind speed required to start generation) are observed here for 65% of the day. At the same time, significantly higher wind speed and force indicators are required to reach nominal power. For low-power wind generators, this indicator is 7-8 m/s. Winds of such force in the region are observed for only 13.1% of the total number of observations. At the same time, in the watershed areas of the Dniester and Prut, Prut and Siret, as well as within the Pokuttsko-Bukovyna ridges, the wind speed can be significantly higher, which creates favorable conditions for the development of wind energy in these areas.
For the development of small-scale energy, it is proposed to use Kaplaniv and Shnekov turbines. They are characterized by simplicity of design, high reliability, and most importantly, the ability to operate at low water flow rates (less than 1 m³/s). These hydropower units are environmentally friendly, as they allow the passage of fish and other organisms, because for their effective operation, insignificant height differences are enough.
The geographical features of the Chernivtsi region have allowed the formation of a significant hydropower potential for the development of small (non-pressure) hydropower. First of all, this applies to the mountainous and foothill parts of the region, in which a significant number of mountain rivers flow, the hydrological characteristics of which are favorable for the development of small hydropower. The key hydrological characteristics that most affect the development of this type of renewable energy are: water flow, river length, width, depth, flow speed and its slope (reduction of the river bed per unit of its length).
The rivers of the Chernivtsi region have sufficient hydrological characteristics for the development of renewable hydropower. Particularly favorable conditions for the development of this industry have been formed on the Cheremosh River and its tributaries.
The natural conditions and resources of the Chernivtsi region generally contribute to the development of various types of renewable energy. For this, in the future, it is necessary to clearly identify the best territories for the development of a particular type of energy and to promote investment in this sector of the economy.
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