Briefing: Towards a sustainable energy: the potential of biomass for electricity generation in Oman

Umar, Tariq

doi:10.1680/jensu.17.00001

Cited by 17 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…While there are a variety of ways to reduce this emission, reduction in waste and recycling is one of them (Pongpimol et al, 2020). In fact, there are some studies conducted in Oman which explore the potential of energy production from waste which has a high amount of biomass (Umar, 2018). Although, the quantity of MSW generation in Oman (1.28 Kg/capita/ day) is low compared to other GCC countries (∼1.5 kg/capita/day), the plastic content in the MSW is approximately the same.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frameworks for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from municipal solid waste in Oman

Umar

2020

MEQ

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PurposeThe Gulf Cooperation Council member countries not only generate the highest quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW) per capita when compared globally, but also in most of these countries, such waste is just dumped at different landfill stations. In Oman, the total quantity of MSW stood at 2.0 million tons per year. The emission from this waste is estimated at 2,181,034 tons/year (carbon dioxide equivalent). This article attempts to develop frameworks that considered landfilling, composting and recycling of MSW.Design/methodology/approachTo know the composition of the municipal solid waste in Oman, a quantitative research method was employed. The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from MSWM in this study focus on three major gases, CO2, CH4 and N2O. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2006 model is used to calculate GHG emissions from landfills and composting (IPCC, 2006). Four frameworks – baseline F0, framework F1, framework F2 and framework F3 – are outlined in this paper. The F0 represents the current situation of the MSW in which most of the waste goes to landfills and dumpsites. In F1, improved MSW collection service and landfilling are incorporated and open burning is restricted. The F2 considered landfilling and composting, while F3 is based on landfilling, composting and recycling.FindingsThe framework F2, which proposes the composting process for the organic waste which normally goes to landfills, results in the reduction of emissions by 40% as compared to landfill practice. Similarly, the samples of MSW collected in Oman show a good amount of recycling waste. The framework F3, which considers the landfill, composting and recycling, reduced the total GHG emissions from 2,181,034 tons/year to 1,427,998 tons/year (carbon dioxide equivalent), representing a total reduction of 35% in emissions.Research limitations/implicationsDifferent values such as CH4 correction factor, the fraction of degradable organic carbon and the fraction of DOC used to determine the GHG emissions from MSW considering landfilling, composting and recycling based on the IPPC model and existing literature review. The actual determination of these values based on the Oman conditions may result in more accurate emissions from MSW in Oman.Practical implicationsDifferent frameworks suggested in this research have different practical implications; however, the final framework F3, which produces fewer emissions, required a material recovery facility to recycle the MSW in Oman. For framework F3, it is important that the residents in Oman have enough knowledge and willingness to do the waste segregation at the household level. Apparently, such knowledge and willingness need to be determined through a separate study.Originality/valueThe frameworks F2 and F3 are considered to be more suitable solutions compared to the current practices for Oman and other gulf countries to reduce its per capita emissions from MSW and protect its local environment. There is a potential for further work that needs to explore the possible solutions to implement the suggested frameworks.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frameworks for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from municipal solid waste in Oman

Umar

2020

MEQ

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“…The results of another study show that in the last two decades energy consumption in the GCC member countries has increased rapidly (Umar, 2018b). Just to present a brief comparison, in 2013, the average electricity consumption in GCC countries was approximately 12,370.91 kWh (kilowatt-hour) per year per capita while in China this value was 3762.07 (Umar, 2017; WB, 2016). Different studies indicate that worldwide a significant portion of the energy is consumed by the building sector.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges of BIM implementation in GCC construction industry

Umar

2021

ECAM

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PurposeIn some regions including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region where construction is one of the main industries, the implementation of BIM is still at a slow rate. This article attempts to know the current situation of BIM and explore the challenges in the BIM implementation in the GCC construction industry.Design/methodology/approachA mixed research approach that includes a systematic literature review and a survey questionnaire was adopted to achieve the aim of this research. For the systematic review, four main databases were search considering a period of 2010–2019 to identify the main challenges in the BIM implementation. A total of 39 different challenges from 47 documents were classified into four main categories. A structured questionnaire developed on these challenges was sent to 206 selected from the top construction organizations from all over the GCC region.FindingsA total of 39 different challenges from 47 documents were classified into four main categories. The respondents for the questionnaire were selected from the top construction organization from all over the GCC region. A large number of the respondents (69.79%) reported that their organizations are planning for BIM implementation in their future projects. The results show that top challenges fall under the main categories of “Organization”, “Technical”, “Government and Legal” and “Environment”.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the paper provides an overview of BIM in a global context, however, the dynamics and maturity of the construction industry in different regions are quite different from each other. Since the data collected in this research is from the GCC region, the results are more relevant to the GCC region.Practical implicationsThe finding of this research identifies the main challenges which GCC construction is facing in the implementation of BIM. The finding will, therefore, be useful for the key stakeholders to develop strategies to overcome these challenges and pave the road to take the advantages of BIM implementation in construction.Social implicationsThe BIM implementation in the GCC construction industry will not only improve the performance of the industry but will also open the doors for new opportunities and employment. The BIM implementation in construction will help the region to achieve Goal 9 (industrial innovation and improved infrastructure) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.Originality/valueThe results of this study help to understand the overall situation including the challenges in the BIM implementation in the GCC construction industry. This study will be helpful for all the stakeholders to develop strategies for the effective implementation of BIM in the GCC construction industry.

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“…The key initiatives adopted by most of the countries globally, to limit the carbon emissions and further rise in the global temperatures, has created an impact in revising the energy generation methods [1]. Different renewable energy technologies are being integrated into the current energy generation system and also in planning future energy needs [2], [3], [4]. The progress on the renewable energy still suffer from a number of challenges in many contries including the Arabian Gulf region [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement, Modeling and Simulation of Photovoltaic Degradation Rates

Honnurvali

Gupta

Goh

et al. 2020

Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering

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Photovoltaic degradation rates play a vital role in visualizing and analyzing the performance of the PV modules over the long run. These degradation rates provide critical information for the stakeholders and researchers to make sensible decisions in deploying the best photovoltaics suitable in those concerned geographical regions of the globe. A site survey is conducted to calculate PV degradation rates. The results have shown that for the first three years since the initial installation, the degradation rates have remained in line with the manufacturer values (i.e. less than 0.6%) while the next two years the degradation rates have almost increased by 40%. This is due to discoloration of the encapsulant causing the reduction of the short circuit current (Isc). Mathematically modeling such visual loss factors have not considered so far. The visual loss factor equation is developed and incorporated in the output current equation of the PV module. Further, the I-V and P-V curves are simulated and compared with the measured I-V curves. The results have shown an acceptable error percentage of around 0.3%.

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Briefing: Towards a sustainable energy: the potential of biomass for electricity generation in Oman

Cited by 17 publications

References 9 publications

Frameworks for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from municipal solid waste in Oman

Frameworks for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from municipal solid waste in Oman

Challenges of BIM implementation in GCC construction industry

Measurement, Modeling and Simulation of Photovoltaic Degradation Rates

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