Exploitation of renewable energy resources for environment‐friendly sustainable development in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The recent increase in energy costs, driven by a surge in oil prices, has increased world-wide efforts on the exploitation of renewable/wind energy resources for environment-friendly sustainable development and to mitigate future energy challenges. Moreover, experience in the wind energy industry has reached high levels in the field of manufacturing and application. This inevitably increases the merits of wind energy exploitation. In order to exploit wind resources, through the establishment of wind power plants, specific attention must be focused on the characteristics of wind and wind machines. The literature indicates that wind-energy resources are relatively better along coastlines. In the present study, long-term hourly mean wind speed data for the period 1986-2003, recorded at Dhahran (Eastern Coastal region, Saudi Arabia), has been analysed to examine the wind characteristics including (but not limited to): yearly/monthly/diurnal variations of wind speed, frequency distribution of wind speed, impact of hub-height/machine-size on energy production, etc. Data have been checked/validated for completeness. Data analysis indicated that long-term monthly average wind speeds ranged from 3.8 to 5.8 m/s. Concurrently, the study determined monthly average daily energy generation from different sizes of commercial wind machines (150, 250, 600 kW, etc.) to assess the impact of wind machine size on energy yield. The study also estimated annual energy production (MWh/year) from wind farms of different capacities (3, 6, 12, 24 MW, etc.) by utilising different commercial wind energy conversion systems (WECS). It was observed that, for a given 6 MW wind farm size, a cluster of 150 kW wind machines (at 50 m hub-height) yielded about 32% more energy when compared to a cluster of 600 kW wind machines. The study also estimated the cost of wind-based electricity (COE, US$/kWh) by using different capacities of commercial WECS. It was found that the COE per kWh is 0.045 US$/kWh for 150 kW wind machine (at 50 m hub-height) whereas COE was 0.039 US$/kWh for 600 kW wind machine (at 50 m hub-height). The study also dealt with wind turbine characteristics (such as capacity factor and availability factor). These characteristics are important indicators of wind turbine performance evaluation.

Saudi Arabia’s Solar and Wind Energy Penetration: Future Performance and Requirements

“…Research performed by Rehman et al [30] to explore the possibility of establishing a wind farm in the eastern region in Saudi Arabia recorded 5.74 m/s as the highest mean wind speed in the region at a height of 40 m. Furthermore, it was observed that higher wind speed values were recorded during the day and during the summer season, while lower wind speed values were recorded during the night and during the winter season [30]. Elhadidy and Shaahid [31] conducted research to exploit renewable energy resources and focus on wind energy performance in the eastern coastal region. The analysis indicated that the monthly average wind speed was 5.8 m/s, which is relatively close to the findings of Rehman et al [29].…”

Sheikhs on barrels: what Saudi Arabians think about energy security

“…Dincer et al (2004) call for research in energy-efficiency efforts aimed at improving transmission grids and using net metering and smart metering. Elhadidy and Shaahid (2009) argue for greater national investments in wind, solar and geothermal sources of electricity.…”

Optimal allocation of solar PV systems in rural areas using genetic algorithms: a case study

“…Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are classified under renewable-based distributed generation (DG) resources. Despite the benefits of renewable-based DG (Elhadidy and Shaahid 2009;Al-Badi and Bourdoucen 2011), their presence in distribution systems alters the power flow and may have technical and economic impacts on the systems. Therefore, it is important to optimally allocate DG units in distribution systems (Atwa and El-Saadany 2010;AbuMouti and El-Hawary 2011).…”