Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SYMBIOSYST (Create a Symbiosis where PV and agriculture can have a mutually beneficial relationship)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2023-01-01 do 2024-06-30
The decarbonization of the energy sector is a top priority, especially at the European level, with photovoltaics (PV) seen as a key technology for the energy transition. However, challenges arise when implementing national PV targets at the local level. Despite the large potential of rooftop PV, installation rates are too slow to support a rapid transition. Large utility-scale PV installations in open fields face constraints due to topography, social acceptance, and other factors. In this context, agrivoltaics, which combines agriculture with PV generation, has emerged as a promising solution.
Agrivoltaics can avoid the mistakes made with Building Integrated PV (BIPV), which faced barriers due to high costs and slow market adoption. However, there is a risk that agrivoltaics could be misused to create systems that primarily generate electricity rather than agricultural products, leading to unsustainable landscape changes.
In SYMBIOSYST, we focus on adapting standardized, cost-effective PV solutions to different crops, climates, and landscapes, avoiding the high costs that hindered BIPV. We aim to create aesthetically pleasing, mass-manufacturable solutions that integrate harmoniously with agricultural land. Our interdisciplinary consortium brings together experts in agriculture, precision farming, social acceptance, and PV technology, allowing us to leverage best practices and avoid past mistakes.
SYMBIOSYST will optimize the synergy between land, crops, and agrivoltaic systems, adapting both the PV systems and agricultural methods to benefit each other. We aim to develop the orchard of the future, integrate solar PV in open-field horticulture, and create nearly zero-energy greenhouses.
Agrivoltaics can avoid the mistakes made with Building Integrated PV (BIPV), which faced barriers due to high costs and slow market adoption. However, there is a risk that agrivoltaics could be misused to create systems that primarily generate electricity rather than agricultural products, leading to unsustainable landscape changes.
In SYMBIOSYST, we focus on adapting standardized, cost-effective PV solutions to different crops, climates, and landscapes, avoiding the high costs that hindered BIPV. We aim to create aesthetically pleasing, mass-manufacturable solutions that integrate harmoniously with agricultural land. Our interdisciplinary consortium brings together experts in agriculture, precision farming, social acceptance, and PV technology, allowing us to leverage best practices and avoid past mistakes.
SYMBIOSYST will optimize the synergy between land, crops, and agrivoltaic systems, adapting both the PV systems and agricultural methods to benefit each other. We aim to develop the orchard of the future, integrate solar PV in open-field horticulture, and create nearly zero-energy greenhouses.
During the first 18 months, multiple tasks were undertaken to achieve the defined objectives of the Symbiosyst project.
In WP2, partners concentrated on integrating agrivoltaic systems into diverse landscapes. Key achievements included the development of tools for analyzing radiation, implementing digital twin technology, and optimizing bifacial agri-PV systems. Deliverables such as D2.1 highlighted the tools developed specifically for integrating these systems at landscape level and during the early design phase.
WP3 aimed at devising innovative Agri-PV solutions for both open and closed systems. Activities focused on conceptual design, defining technical specifications, and conducting testing both indoors and outdoors. Partners directed efforts towards developing mounting structures, semi-transparent PV modules, metrology solutions, and platforms for operation and maintenance (O&M).
WP4 addressed sustainability aspects pertinent to Agri-PV, delineating key performance indicators (KPIs) and conducting life cycle assessments (LCAs). Tasks included evaluating environmental performance, assessing the circularity of subsystems, and exploring pathways to decarbonize the food supply chain through collaboration with industry experts. Ongoing tasks will continue to scrutinize the sustainability metrics of demonstrators in subsequent stages of the project.
In WP5, the focus was on designing the Agri-PV solutions developed in WP2 and WP3 across diverse demo sites. Each site (Italy, Spain, Netherlands) adhered to specific technical specifications coordinated locally by site leaders. Activities centered on integrating findings from other WPs into tangible demonstrations, refining designs based on field experiences, and achieving critical technical milestones within the project's lifecycle.
WP6 integrated insights from social sciences and humanities by investigating environmental, climatic, and energy justice implications of Agri-PV through interviews and GIS tools. Tasks included organizing foresight workshops aimed at engaging stakeholders and devising models for societal interaction..
WP7 conducted an in-depth analysis of energy consumption profiles across various farm types, with a particular emphasis on exploring the integration of Agri-PV projects in energy communities, storage solutions, and electrification options for water pumping. Business models were developed to evaluate crop values, energy valuation scenarios, and sustainability KPIs, aiming to optimize Agri-PV configurations and assess their replication potential in diverse agricultural settings.
WP8 focused on disseminating project outcomes through comprehensive strategies, establishing a distinctive visual identity, and conducting targeted communication initiatives. Efforts were aimed at enhancing public awareness, engaging stakeholders, and forging connections with other relevant initiatives to foster widespread adoption of Agri-PV technologies.
In summary, the SYMBIOSYST project has made substantial strides across its various work packages, advancing technology development, sustainability assessments, stakeholder engagement, and dissemination efforts. These endeavors are aligned with the project's overarching objectives to innovate and effectively integrate Agri-PV solutions into agricultural landscapes.
In WP2, partners concentrated on integrating agrivoltaic systems into diverse landscapes. Key achievements included the development of tools for analyzing radiation, implementing digital twin technology, and optimizing bifacial agri-PV systems. Deliverables such as D2.1 highlighted the tools developed specifically for integrating these systems at landscape level and during the early design phase.
WP3 aimed at devising innovative Agri-PV solutions for both open and closed systems. Activities focused on conceptual design, defining technical specifications, and conducting testing both indoors and outdoors. Partners directed efforts towards developing mounting structures, semi-transparent PV modules, metrology solutions, and platforms for operation and maintenance (O&M).
WP4 addressed sustainability aspects pertinent to Agri-PV, delineating key performance indicators (KPIs) and conducting life cycle assessments (LCAs). Tasks included evaluating environmental performance, assessing the circularity of subsystems, and exploring pathways to decarbonize the food supply chain through collaboration with industry experts. Ongoing tasks will continue to scrutinize the sustainability metrics of demonstrators in subsequent stages of the project.
In WP5, the focus was on designing the Agri-PV solutions developed in WP2 and WP3 across diverse demo sites. Each site (Italy, Spain, Netherlands) adhered to specific technical specifications coordinated locally by site leaders. Activities centered on integrating findings from other WPs into tangible demonstrations, refining designs based on field experiences, and achieving critical technical milestones within the project's lifecycle.
WP6 integrated insights from social sciences and humanities by investigating environmental, climatic, and energy justice implications of Agri-PV through interviews and GIS tools. Tasks included organizing foresight workshops aimed at engaging stakeholders and devising models for societal interaction..
WP7 conducted an in-depth analysis of energy consumption profiles across various farm types, with a particular emphasis on exploring the integration of Agri-PV projects in energy communities, storage solutions, and electrification options for water pumping. Business models were developed to evaluate crop values, energy valuation scenarios, and sustainability KPIs, aiming to optimize Agri-PV configurations and assess their replication potential in diverse agricultural settings.
WP8 focused on disseminating project outcomes through comprehensive strategies, establishing a distinctive visual identity, and conducting targeted communication initiatives. Efforts were aimed at enhancing public awareness, engaging stakeholders, and forging connections with other relevant initiatives to foster widespread adoption of Agri-PV technologies.
In summary, the SYMBIOSYST project has made substantial strides across its various work packages, advancing technology development, sustainability assessments, stakeholder engagement, and dissemination efforts. These endeavors are aligned with the project's overarching objectives to innovate and effectively integrate Agri-PV solutions into agricultural landscapes.
The list of exploitable results developed in Symbiosyst is here given:
GIS based Landscape integration tool (described in D2.1 and presented to policy makers)
Aerial Agri-Topo (Aerial Topographical Mapping and 3D analysis for Agri-PV (draft described in D2.1)
Albedo Effect Estimation model (under development)
Agri-PV early design with multi-objective optimisation (draft described in D2.1)
Modelling of advanced concepts for light assessment and control (under development)
Light transmittance trough the surface of greenhouses (under development)
Specific simulation features for agri-PV modelling (under development)
Crop modelling (under development)
Physics based lifetime energy yield modelling (under development)
Functional coatings for agri-PV glass modules (applied to PV modules for the Netherlands greenhouse demo)
Multifunctional structures for agri-PV (designed and under construction for the demos in Barcelona and Bolzano)
Climate and crop optimised Innovative agri-PV PV modules (designed and under construction for the demos in Barcelona and Bolzano, installed on greenhouse in the Netherlands)
Accelerating large-scale Agri-PV development by advanced solar analytics (under development)
Advanced drone based services (under development)
Data Augmentation and Decision Support System for scaling-up the data-based solutions (under development)
New sensing solutions using autonomous motorised robots (first prototype is operational)
Multi-surface spectrally resolved irradiance sensing solution (under development)
Methodology beyond social acceptance (published in D6.1)
Innovative business models, model calculations for relevant use cases (under development)
GIS based Landscape integration tool (described in D2.1 and presented to policy makers)
Aerial Agri-Topo (Aerial Topographical Mapping and 3D analysis for Agri-PV (draft described in D2.1)
Albedo Effect Estimation model (under development)
Agri-PV early design with multi-objective optimisation (draft described in D2.1)
Modelling of advanced concepts for light assessment and control (under development)
Light transmittance trough the surface of greenhouses (under development)
Specific simulation features for agri-PV modelling (under development)
Crop modelling (under development)
Physics based lifetime energy yield modelling (under development)
Functional coatings for agri-PV glass modules (applied to PV modules for the Netherlands greenhouse demo)
Multifunctional structures for agri-PV (designed and under construction for the demos in Barcelona and Bolzano)
Climate and crop optimised Innovative agri-PV PV modules (designed and under construction for the demos in Barcelona and Bolzano, installed on greenhouse in the Netherlands)
Accelerating large-scale Agri-PV development by advanced solar analytics (under development)
Advanced drone based services (under development)
Data Augmentation and Decision Support System for scaling-up the data-based solutions (under development)
New sensing solutions using autonomous motorised robots (first prototype is operational)
Multi-surface spectrally resolved irradiance sensing solution (under development)
Methodology beyond social acceptance (published in D6.1)
Innovative business models, model calculations for relevant use cases (under development)