PPA: what is a Power Purchase Agreement and what types exist in the renewable energy sector?

Two professionals shaking hands during a renewable energy PPA agreement

A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) is a medium- or long-term contract for the sale and purchase of electricity between a generator and a buyer. In the renewable energy sector, it can be structured as a physical, virtual, financial, on-site, off-site or sleeved PPA, depending on the method of delivery, settlement and location of the asset.

Net Metering: what it is and how net energy metering works

A businessman holding a piggy bank next to solar panels, symbolising savings and investment through net metering

Net metering is a compensation system that allows for the accounting of energy consumed from the grid and the surplus renewable electricity that a facility feeds back into it. It is a key mechanism for self-consumption and distributed generation.

O&M: what is operation and maintenance in the renewable energy sector?

Technicians carrying out O&M and maintenance work at a solar photovoltaic plant

O&M (Operations and Maintenance) engloba las actividades de operación, supervisión y mantenimiento necesarias para garantizar el rendimiento, disponibilidad y seguridad de una instalación de energías renovables durante toda su vida útil.

LCOE: what it is and how the levelised cost of energy is calculated

A calculator, euros and an electric cable to illustrate the calculation of the LCOE and the cost of energy

The LCOE, or levelled cost of energy, enables the average cost of generating electricity over the lifetime of a facility to be estimated. Find out how it is calculated and which variables influence the LCOE of an energy project.

Redispatch: what it is and how it works in the electricity system

High-voltage pylons and power lines for grid management via redispatch

Redispatch is an operational mechanism within the electricity system that enables adjustments to generation or consumption in order to manage congestion and maintain grid stability. Find out how it works and why it is important for the integration of renewable energy.

Photovoltaic string: what it is and how it works in a solar installation

Diagram of a photovoltaic string consisting of solar modules connected in series at the rear

A photovoltaic string is a set of solar modules connected in series to generate direct current electricity. Find out how it works, its configuration, its relationship with the MPPT, and the key criteria for sizing it correctly.

Peak Shaving: what it is and how it reduces peaks in electricity demand

LED bulbs on an electricity demand graph illustrating energy consumption management and the peak shaving strategy.

Peak shaving is an energy management strategy that reduces peaks in electricity demand using BESS systems, distributed generation and smart control platforms. Find out how it works, its main applications and the benefits it brings to industries, buildings and renewable energy plants.

EPC: What is Engineering, Procurement and Construction in the renewable energy sector?

Engineers supervising the construction of a photovoltaic plant under an EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contract.

EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) is the most widely used contractual model for large-scale renewable energy projects. Find out what it involves, what its phases are, the responsibilities of the EPC contractor, and why this model is key to the financing and implementation of solar power stations, wind farms and energy storage systems.