ALTERNATIVAS PARA VIABILIZAR A NAVEGAÇÃO EM PERÍODO DE ESTIAGEM – O USO DA ENERGIA FOTOVOLTAICA EM PROL DOS RECURSOS HÍDRICOS PARA A NAVEGAÇÃO

Abstract

With the scarcity of water due to climate changes that have been occurring at an accelerated pace, studies are needed to prepare activities that use water. According to the National Water Resources Policy (PNRH) water is a public good that in situations of scarcity, the priority use of water resources is for human consumption followed by the watering of animals. Still according to the PNRH, the management of water resources must always provide for the multiple use of water. However, the diversity of water user activities, such as navigation and the use of hydropower, in times of drought generates conflicts of interest, as it is not always possible to maintain energy generation without impairing the navigability of waterways (Canalenergia, 2019). Hydroelectric power plants are important sources of electrical energy in many countries and are usually built on rivers to harness the energy potential of water. However, these plants can also have negative impacts on navigation, such as changing river flow and reducing water depth. To discuss and propose an alternative to this conflict, the use of photovoltaic energy systems was studied so that, in periods of drought, water energy could be replaced in whole or in part by solar energy.