Author s : Amanda Adamoviča and Agija Balode

Potential sources of energy in Latvia  Solar  Wind  Hydro- power  Biomass

Experts think that Latvian meteorological conditions - strong wind flows and storms; water resources have the capability for using alternative energy resources.

 Not all local resources can be used. Parts of them are imported.  There aren’t enough experts to evaluate the current situation.  Energy suppliers need more support for this field.  High production costs.  All the territory isn’t suitable for alternative sources.  There’s not enough space for plant cultivation.  Damage for nature. Fish spawning, bird migration.

 Passive use of solar energy.  Solar collectors.  Solar radiance for producing electricity.  Sun energy.  Solar ENERGY FOR HEATING.

In the future, Latvian National Library is going to set up the solar electricity panels on the roof. Solar warming panels are common on the roofs of private houses. For heating it’s quite popular in Latvia. m/p/riga.html

 Impact on the environment: We don't waste fuel, there is no air pollution and no noise.  Benefits: Production doesn’t depend upon the price of fuel or delivery; maintenance costs aren’t expensive.  It is a quick and simple way to get things done.

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Adventages!  No air pollution.  No disposed resources.  Less expenses for petrol.  New job opportunities.  Highly efficient way of electricity production.  Fast and effective projects. Disadvantages!  It disturbs migratory birds.  Technology is more expensive than electricity production, using habitual fuel.  It is going to cause the price of electro – energy going up for the consumers.  There are an instability and volatility, so that's why wind energy can be used mainly as an additional source of energy.

 There are 33 wind turbines with power 600kW.  It is The Biggest wind turbine park which is in operation in Baltics.  Average generator height is 77m.  The biggest windmill park in Baltics is in Grobiņa (southwest of Latvia ). ews/article.html?xml_id=2 7924

If you’d like to know, where you can put the wind turbines, you can use the wind map. There you can see where the winds are stronger and where not. Data was collected 10 m high above the sea level...

Baltijas Jūras reģiona Interreg III B projekta ietvaros valsts SIA“Vides projektu” sagatavota prezentācija.

Circuit Potential Energy Kinetic Energy Electrical Energy Mechanical Energy Electricity Baltijas Jūras reģiona Interreg III B projekta ietvaros valsts SIA“Vides projektu” sagatavota prezentācija.

 HPP in Pļaviņas.  HPP in Ķegums.  HPP in Rīga.  HPP in Grūbe.  And there are many, little hydropower facilities, Micro hydroelectric plants in Latvia. Small hydropower facilities may involve a small dam, or be a diversion of the main stream, or be a run-of-the-river system.

Baltijas Jūras reģiona Interreg III B projekta ietvaros valsts SIA“Vides projektu” sagatavota prezentācija.

The amount of electricity that can be generated by a hydropower plant depends on two factors: flow rate - the quantity of water flowing in a given time; and head - the height from which the water falls. The greater the flow and head, the more electricity produced. How much electricity can be generated by a hydroelectric power plant? Baltijas Jūras reģiona Interreg III B projekta ietvaros valsts SIA“Vides projektu” sagatavota prezentācija.

Because the water cycle is continuous, hydropower is a renewable energy source. Baltijas Jūras reģiona Interreg III B projekta ietvaros valsts SIA“Vides projektu” sagatavota prezentācija.

 In 1961, they started to construct the biggest power plant in Baltics and finished it in  10 hydro electro turbines, which produce 870MW electric energy. ticle.php?id=

 It is the oldest hydro-electro plant on the river Daugava.  The third biggest in Latvia.  8 hydroelectric turbines, which produce 667 GWh electric energy. prakse.php?id=229268

 Six hydro power turbines with the total capacity of402MW.  In 2011 in Rīga HES produced 792,5 GWh electric energy. gas_HES_%2810%29.jpg

 This one is on the river Vaidava.  Remarkable with its 4,3m high, natural waterfall. The big g est of the kind in Latvia. leta_daba.php?vt=2&di=0&fvieta =251

In Latvia biomass is derived from:  Biodegradable waste,  Crop residues, such as straw,  Raps,  Arisings from forestry and timber processing, wooden chips,  Fast growing willows.

 Fossil fuel isn’t used.  No pollution and no causes to greenhouse effect.  Costs are low.  It reduces energy import.  Sustainable development.  Cheap fuel for the production of electricity.

Baltijas Jūras reģiona Interreg III B projekta ietvaros valsts SIA“Vides projektu” sagatavota prezentācija.

 Dry, municipal dumping ground Getliņi in Rīga.  A plant for Municipal dumping ground in Liepāja is being planned.  The Rīga sewerage water sludge recaste system in Bolderāja.

Oilseed rape is the number one crop in fields of Latvia. Biogas can be produced from organic waste of oilseed rape. e/photo:709958/

Getliņi!  Waste recycling facility  Uses high technology which is safe for environment.  By recycling the waste, it can produce heat and electricity.

 I n 2010, the average electricity consumption per month  -to 100 kW – 1398 households  kW – 796  kW – 897  -above 401kW – 807 households.  Average electricity usage per month  ~200 – 500kW electrical energy.

Household Electrical energy consumption, kWh Electrical energy consumption per one household, kWh In 2010In 2011In 2010In