Renewable Energy Research and Development in Saudi Arabia

Renewable Energy Research and Development in Saudi Arabia; Role of KACST Presented By Dr. Yousef Alyousef Energy Research Institute King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

ERI Strategic Goals The main focus of the Institute's efforts will be to: l. Adapt, implement, and produce energy-related technologies l. Present practical solutions to reduce energy waste in all sectors

ERI Strategic Goals l Produce national databases of renewable energy resources l Direct research towards the energy efficient provision of basic needs in remote areas l Study the environmental impact of different energy sources

Major Accomplishments in R&D l International Joint Research Programs – Saudi-US Solar Program, SOLERAS – Saudi-German Joint R&D Program, Solar Dishes, HYSOLAR l National Research Programs – – PV Tunnel Lighting PV Grid-connected system Sadus PV-Desalination Plant Solar Dryers

l Solar Village (SOLERAS) – 350 k. W PVPS, completed in 1981, 1 st in size and complexity – Supplied 1 to 1. 5 MWh/ day to three villages – Experiences acquired contribute significantly to technology development – establishing the Solar Village test facility (thermal-sun simulator, PV-sun simulator & other installations)

l Solar-powered Seawater Desalination – completed 1984, indirect contact heat transfer freeze process (200 m 3/day) – Annual average solar energy collected is 2. 2 MWh/ day – Investigation of solution to mirror edge protection against environment – Improvement of solar collector tracking mechanism – Development of new commercial freeze desalination equipment

l Solar Hydrogen Demonstration Plant (HYSOLAR) – 350 k. W World 1 st, in large capacity, solarpowered hydrogen production plant, 1986 – Acquire and transfer scientific knowledge for commercial production and use of solar hydrogen in Saudi Arabia – Demonstrate safety of solar-hydrogen production using Solar Village 350 k. W PV plant – Evaluate use of hydrogen as a future fuel

Fuel Cell R&D: Ø Established an in-house know how Ø PAFC (1992 -97); half cell, mono cells, 100, 250, 1 k. W stacks Ø PEMFC(1998 -2005) ; gas flow designs, H 2 humidification, electrodes fabrication Current Activities: Ø Utilization of Liquid Fuels in SOFC Ø Development of Nano-tube Platinum Catalyst DMFC Ø Preparation of Nano-ceramic materials using sol-gel process for SOFC

l PV-Powered Highway Lighting – project sponsored by KACST – generate about 1. 5 MWh of solar electricity/day – include two remote tunnel lighting of 240 m & 546 m and 48 & 57 k. Wp and 6000 & 4900 Ahr battery size respectively – calculated cost of k. Wh is around US$0. 10

l PV-grid connection studies Established in 1996 6 Arrays, 1 Kw per Array; Total System Size is 6 k. W No Storage System, i. e. , Cost Reduction by 40%.

l Solar Dryers – utilise solar energy in dryer agriculture crops – Development and testing of designs appropriate for climatic conditions

Resource Assessment l Solar Resource Assessment – 12 high quality solar radiation monitoring stations – monitor total horizontal, direct normal & diffuse radiation

Resource Assessment l Wind Resource Assessment – 5 wind monitoring station, 40 m tower – 2 Wind speed at 40, 30 & 20 m, 2 Wind vane at 30 & 40 m. – global insolation, ambient temperature, relative humidity and barometric pressure

Solar Energy Solar Cell Technology Solar Cell Production Solar Power Plant

National organizations involved in helping to achieve our energy efficiency goals Ministry of Water & Electricity Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals Ministry of Municipal & Rural Affairs Saudi Arabian Standards Organization Saudi Electricity & Co-generation Regulatory Authority http: //www. neep. org. sa

NEEP Objectives 1. Energy Audit 2. Energy Efficiency Information and Awareness 3. Load Management and TOU Tariff 4. Efficient Utilization of Oil and Gas 5. Promotion of Energy Service Industry 6. Equipment Labels and Standards Program 7. Building Codes for Energy Efficiency 8. Technical and Management Training

NEEP Achievements Include l Conducted program of energy audits for selected buildings and facilities l Initiated energy efficiency training and awareness programs l Implemented a TOU tariff program for selected commercial entities l Issued energy efficiency standards for selected household appliances l Developed a labeling program for these appliances l Developed energy efficiency codes for new buildings l Established benchmarking of buildings & building services

TOU A study was conducted to evaluate Time of Use of tariff program in K. S. A. It contained the following items: 1. Field survey on the participation of industrial, commercial sectors. Hallah/K. W 2. Evaluation of response of the customers in implementing the program. problems 3. Description of the appeared during the Current tarrif implementation. 4. Conclude suggested items to support implementation Hours of the day 18

Results of the program 2008 2007 2006 region middle-easternwestern Middle commercial customers 72 37 11 industrial customers 296 145 34 Total number of customers 386 182 45 90. 6 21. 5 item Shifted load (M. W) 196

Labeling system for home appliances

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