In the quest to make infrastructure more sustainable and cost-effective, a groundbreaking study has emerged from the University of Oradea, Romania. Șerban Bunda, a researcher at the Faculty of Energy Engineering and Industrial Management, has delved into the feasibility of powering cathodic protection systems with solar energy. His findings, published in Advanced Engineering Letters, could revolutionize how we protect critical infrastructure from corrosion, particularly in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
Cathodic protection systems are essential for preventing corrosion in underground pipelines, storage tanks, and other metallic structures. Traditionally, these systems rely on impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP), which requires a constant power supply. Extending the low-voltage grid to power these systems can be expensive and impractical, especially in remote locations. This is where Bunda’s research comes into play.
Bunda and his team designed a solar system with battery storage to power ICCP systems, calculating both the initial investment costs and the long-term operational expenses. “The most cost-efficient system over the considered lifetime is the one that uses Li-based batteries and a minimum number of electric support poles,” Bunda explained. This approach not only reduces operational costs but also minimizes the environmental footprint.
The study compared the costs of using photovoltaic panels with battery storage (PV-BA) against extending the low-voltage grid. The results were clear: PV-BA systems become more feasible as the distance to the connection point with the grid increases. “The use of ICCP systems powered by photovoltaic panels with battery storage is feasible when the distance to the connection point with the grid exceeds 4 km,” Bunda stated. This finding has significant implications for the energy sector, particularly for companies operating in remote or offshore locations.
The commercial impact of this research is substantial. By adopting solar-powered cathodic protection systems, companies can reduce their reliance on grid power, lower operational costs, and enhance the sustainability of their operations. This is particularly relevant for the oil and gas industry, which often operates in remote areas where extending the grid is not viable.
Moreover, the use of lithium-based batteries in these systems ensures a longer lifespan and higher efficiency, making them a viable long-term solution. As the cost of solar panels and batteries continues to decrease, the economic benefits of this approach will only become more pronounced.
This research opens the door to future developments in the field of corrosion protection and renewable energy integration. As Bunda’s work gains traction, we can expect to see more innovative solutions that combine solar power and energy storage to protect critical infrastructure. The energy sector stands on the brink of a new era, where sustainability and cost-efficiency go hand in hand, thanks to pioneering studies like this one published in Advanced Engineering Letters.
