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Navigation

• FOREWORD
• INTRODUCTION
• 1. SUN ENERGY AND ITS POTENTIAL
• 1.1. General remarks
• 1.2. Solar radiation: An outline
• 1.3. Radiation balance of the Kola Peninsula
• 1.4. Sunshine durations
• 1.5. Prospective uses of solar energy on the Kola
• 2. WIND ENERGY
• 2.1. Average wind speeds
• 2.2 Wind speed and direction frequency
• 2.3. Maximum wind speeds
• 2.4. Technical wind energy resources of the region
• 2.5 Types of wind power installations
• 2.6. Wind energy application trends
• 2.7. Feasible sites for wind parks
• 2.8. Technical and economic peculiarities of opera
• 3. SMALL RIVER ENERGY
• 3.1. A general evaluation of the region’s hydroene
• 3.2. Hydroelectric power plants in operation on th
• 3.3. Hydroenergy potential of small rivers
• 3.4. First priority river sites for the constructi
• 3.5. Small hydroelectric power plants for remote a
• 4. TIDAL ENERGY
• 4.1. Tidal energy’s distinctive features
• 4.2. Recommended TPP sites and their energy potent
• 4.3. Readiness levels for the technical applicatio
• 4.4. Environmental aspects of application of tidal
• 4.5. Tidal energy application prospects: A general
• 5. WAVE ENERGY
• 5.1. General information on utilizing the energy o
• 5.2. Energy of surface waves.
• 5.3. Undulation’s renewable energy
• 5.4. A brief outline of main types of wave energy
• 5.5. Technical resources of ocean surface wave en
• 6. BIOENERGY RESOURCES
• 6.1. Utilization of biodegradable wastes from live
• 6.2. Evaluating bioenergy resources: Background da
• 6.3. Energy potential of fuel production with anae
• 6.4. Effects gained from application of anaerobic
• 6.5. Prospects of application of lumber wastes
• CONCLUSION
• CITED LITERATURE

1.4. Sunshine durations

When assessing solar energy potential and the prospects for its application, sunshine duration becomes an important value as it determines the scope of incoming solar energy and the conditions for the efficient use of solar energy systems. The operation of solar energy installations depends not only on the total sunshine duration during a particular interval of time, but also on the recurrent frequency of continuous sunshine and sunless periods of varying durations. Fig. 1.3. is a bar chart illustrating Umba station’s data for the variability of sunshine periods in accordance with their durations on a month-to-month basis. Each graph corresponds to a sum total of sunshine hours during the particular month (see also Table 1.3)

Fig. 1.3. Variability of total sunshine duration periods,
according to month of the year (Umba Meteorological Station)

Table 1.3

Sunshine durations in various locations across the Murmansk region, in hours

The average monthly number of sunshine hours in the Murmansk region – the territory of which is located predominantly beyond the Polar Circle – varies widely throughout the year between zero hours in December and 200 to 300 hours in June and July (Table 1.3.). Cumulative annual sunshine duration is about 1,200 hours in the north of the region, but increases to some 1,600 hours in its southern parts. Fig. 1.4 is a comparative chart showing seasonal changes in sunshine durations in Umba village in the south of the Kola Peninsula against those in the Swedish town of Ingelstad, which is home to a considerably powerful – and successfully operated – solar power installation, providing heat to 52 homes. Data shown for the Kola Peninsula is quite commensurate to that for Sweden. Annual sum total of sunshine duration at 1,632 hours in Umba even exceeds the durations available to Sweden, with 1,550 hours in Ingelstad.