KSA taps the sun to meet a third of its energy needs

[al-Hasani]

Excellent...I've similar notions too.

I also believe Pakistan has a serious population crisis which actually augments every issue we face multiple folds. It is literally a sea of people which is near impossible to control.

GCC should actually manage their population from the get go...this will be an added advantage. 70 million is a good figure but it is of utmost importance to provide these 70 million with opportunities and work. Otherwise it will turn into a sustainability issue and you will have "more litter and graffiti"...hope you understand my point of view.

Innovation is a very good point, and it will be *the* most difficult step to achieve. Case in point is China. Practically speaking I don't think so we might see this step in our lifetime (because if we truly achieve innovation we basically win the world)...but of course the foundation should be laid...I can see that happening.

The rest...we're on the same page. When it comes to Pakistan I would want it to be completely secular. There are only two islamic republics in the world...both of them are just doing great lol. In my opinion I would also like to see GCC as a secular entity...of course the feeble minded will probably think I'm advocating rivers of alcohol or prostituion but I assume you know what I really mean.

I don't think that we will face overpopulation. Currently the GCC with the exception of Yemen (they have a too rapidly growing population IMO) have very healthy birth rates.

Yes, South Asia has a big problem with overpopulation if you ask me. There is always a certain amount of resources available. If you cross that line trouble can appear. I would be fearful of having such a huge population in a world that constantly is in need of resources. Those countries will always have a huge amount of poor people. Can't be positive on this field. On the other hand there are positives with having a huge population. More potential for economic growth and a much bigger talent pool to pick from.

Sure, innovation is the hardest step of those or one of the hardest but it's also the one that gives you the most benefits and arguably there are opportunities for that already. Problem being that the brightest heads are moving abroad and their contributions are counted as foreign contributions at foreign universities, private firms etc. So it's about making a similar environment back home.

Sure, and we see signs of that for each year. Look at UAE for instance.

Understand KSA's step to tap the sun a another source of energy, it is something you have in abundance and it is clean. But shale gas????? I think KSA must consider the environmental impact of shale drilling....and the cost. Your conventional oil and gas sources could be last for 2-3 generations (in which) it will enough time to develop alternative energy sources such as solar, wind and nuclear into a mature stage. I am thinking about the efficiency of drilling in shale formation in your context. Country like US and Indonesia have a limited source of conventional oil and gas thus they have to come up with temporary solutions on energy and shale drilling is one of them.

Correct brother. Good to see you back and sad news with that flight disaster.

Sure you are completely right. It's just good that there is this opportunity as well. It's a positive thing. Moreover in for instance 10-15 years time it might become really foreseeable to extract shale in a environmental manner. Probably much earlier.

It's a perfect situation to be in. Massive proven oil and gas reserves, massive shale gas reserves, gigantic solar and wind opportunities as seen in this thread and not long from now 16 nuclear reactors.

Nothing more to ask for but just wait and see what the future will bring.

This is wonderful news and congratulation right step for the future.

Am I blind or has somebody hacked your profile bro?

 

[UKBengali]

Good going Saudi.

 

[Zarvan]

Not just empty words this time around:

KSA launches world’s largest solar plant​

POWER SAVER: The Jeddah Municipality would launch street lighting through the solar power. (AN photo)​

JEDDAH: IRFAN MOHAMMED

Published — Friday 22 November 2013

Last update 22 November 2013 12:20 am

Saudi Arabia has launched the world’s largest solar power plant on the roof of the Princess Nora University in Riyadh. The plant covers an area of 36,000 sqm.
The Kingdom is looking to use solar energy for at least 10 percent of its total energy needs and aims to generate 5 gw of solar energy by 2020.
Indeed, the prominent viability of solar energy in a sun-filled region has become the Kingdom’s new challenge.
With average temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, Saudi Arabia records more sunshine than anywhere in Europe or most of the USA. At 5 kw per sqm, solar radiation production in the Kingdom is higher than in most parts of the world.
As one of the fastest growing economies of the world, the Kingdom’s energy consumption is on a yearly upward trend, creating the need to look for alternative energy sources.
Solar energy seems to be the most viable option, yet has not been able to make significant progress when compared with other GCC countries.
In a significant move, municipalities in the Kingdom are opting to use the solar power system for street lighting to promote environmentally-friendly energy consumption in the Kingdom.
The Jeddah Municipality announced on Wednesday that it would launch street lighting through the solar power system in strategically important locations of the city.
It revealed that it has launched the first pilot project in the third Ruwais district in Jeddah.
It also intends to launch similar solar power projects in five different locations in the city, of which four are in the busy Red Sea off-shore area and one in Rehab district.
The Jeddah Municipality also stated that the solar power project will be evaluated after six months and will replace the existing electrical lighting system in the city based on the results.
The Makkah Municipality is building its own solar plant with an estimated capacity of 100 mw at an estimated cost of SR2.4 billion to supply power to 35 tunnels and street lights in the holy city in a bid to save electricity. The Madinah Municipality is also using solar power for lighting up its parks.
The Ministry of Islamic affairs, Endowments, Dawah and Guidance is planning to switch to solar energy at mosques to heat water for ablution and for air-conditioning systems.

KSA launches world’s largest solar plant | Arab News — Saudi Arabia News, Middle East News, Opinion, Economy and more.

Saudi Arabia can both use Solar and wind energy and also work on nuclear and build plants.

 

[al-Hasani]

Saudi Arabia can both use Solar and wind energy and also work on nuclear and build plants.

Please read the articles and thread brother.

Saudi Arabians Could Export Solar for the Next Twenty Centuries​

​

Every square meter of Saudi Arabia produces an extraordinary 7 kilowatt hours of energy daily in each 12 hours of sun power. If the Saudis were to use up each days solar energy supply, or 12,425 TWh of electricity, it would be a 72 year supply.

Put another way, in just one day, enough solar energy hits Saudi sands to power the kingdom for 72 years, according to a study made by the World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology.

That is an extraordinary resource. It is significantly more than the rest of the world. For example: as a Californian who used a typical 15 kilowatt hours of energy a day, this means my entire home could have been fully solar powered by just 2 square meters – or about 3 feet by 6 feet – of solar panels in Saudi Arabia!

And Saudi Arabia has over 2 trillion square meters able to produce 14 trillion kilowatt hours of solar energy every sunny day – that is enough to power the world.

But of course, no country wants to be entirely devoted to energy production, least of all one that is still making good money from digging up oil, but it is indicative of the kind of money the Kingdom could be earning from solar exports rather than oil exports.

Just as it earns its vast income from oil now, it could equally well earn a similarly vast income from solar in the future. And for vast eons of time.

Transitioning to solar from oil would take an initial investment in the infrastructure, and then would yield an income stream regardless of fuel depletion, because solar is there for the long run, unlike the oil which is getting harder and harder to get out of the ground.

But it is Saudi Arabia itself which is in the best position in the world to make that transition and invest in a replacement for oil. With oil prices at $102 a barrel at today’s market price, the Saudis have over $30 trillion in underground assets.

With that much money in huge (but depleting) assets in petroleum and natural gas reserves, now is the time that Saudi Arabia should invest and become the world’s largest producer of green solar energy.

Saudi Arabia could export solar for centuries either as electricity into the Desertec grid, or as hydrogen fuel, using its tankers and pipelines.

Desertec, which will be shipping billions of kilowatt hours of desert solar energy across to Europe in the near future is becoming a reality in more MENA region nations with the addition of Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt, but the Saudis are not members of the visionary project.

Even though; unlike its poorer neighbors, it has tremendous financial assets – enough to become a leader in the project along with the giant German energy companies RWE and E.On – because it could self-fund its own Desertec infrastructure investment.

With over 250 hours of sunshine each month, Saudi Arabia is ideally located to make the most of solar power.

It even has the infrastructure already in place to be a leader in the solar-powered hydrogen economy of the future. Increasingly hydrogen researchers are turning to sustainable long term sources – wind or solar – for hydrogen production.

Solar powered hydrogen could be transported in the same pipeline and tanker infrastructure that now moves our climate-destroying oil energy around the world.

Saudi Aramco – 100% owned by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – through its affiliate, Vela Marine International Ltd, owns and operates the world’s second largest tanker fleet to help transport its crude oil production, which amounted to 3 billion barrels a year. It is a world leader in exploration, producing, refining, distribution, shipping and marketing.

Most of this infrastructure and expertise could be repurposed to transform Saudi Arabia into a solar hydrogen economy.

This infrastructure could be re-engineered to become a gigantic carrier fleet for hydrogen made with sustainable solar energy and shipped worldwide. New solar infrastructure could be added, as it has begun to do in making polysilicon from its sand.

It is Saudi Arabia that holds the key, with its unique combination of natural and financial resources, to creating a huge long-term future for the world that is based on a sustainable permanent source of energy: our sun.

- See more at: Saudis Could Export Solar for the Next Twenty Centuries | Green Prophet

Saudi Arabia aims to be world’s largest renewable energy market​

​

​

By 2032, Saudi Arabia strives to generate as much as a third of the country's energy demands using renewable energy.​

Saudi Arabia aims to become the world’s foremost market for renewable energy with an aggressive investment budget of $109 billion. By 2032, the country strives to generate as much as a third of the Kingdom’s energy demands using renewable energy (54 GW).
Following the publicity surrounding the country’s major investment drive, King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) released a series of documents detailing the revised National Energy Plan. In addition to the 41 GW of solar power, 25 GW of CSP and 16 GW of PV, the Kingdom is aiming to generate 18 GW of nuclear energy, 3 GW of waste to energy, 1 GW of geothermal and an additional 9 GW of wind power, specifically for water desalination plants.
Impressive and noble though the country’s renewable energy goals maybe, the question remains how will the world’s largest exporter of oil, so dependent on conventional energy sources for their power demand, achieve such a transformation.
Establishing a time-line with long-term policies is at the top of the list.
According to Keisuke Sadamori, director of the energy markets and security directorate, International Energy Agency (IEA), "One of the key messages from the Medium Term Renewable Energy Market Report 2013 by the IEA is that policy uncertainty is the largest risk for renewable investment. Every country, including Saudi Arabia, should introduce long-term policies to provide a predictable and reliable framework to support renewable deployment."

Sadamori, alongside various other international and regional renewable energy experts, will be discussing the key challenges faced by Saudi Arabia and the steps toward overcoming them at the upcoming 3rd Annual Solar Arabia Summit. Taking place on Sept. 29-30 in Riyadh, the summit is hosting 35 experts who will each share their experience in the industry and discuss the latest market trends and policy development in the Kingdom.
Rasheed M. Alzahrani, CEO, Riyadh Valley Company, is also speaking at the summit to discuss joint ventures, partnerships and investments in renewable energy in the Kingdom.
He also acknowledges that "high level plans are already in place, but the major challenge in the Kingdom lies in the absence of a detailed time-line for a clear and gradual shift to renewable energy in the country and the slow adoption and advancement in renewable energy initiatives."
When asked about his company’s participation in the summit, Alzahrani said: "We intend to invest in this sector both in early and late stage opportunities that will add value to the local needs. We will use this platform to introduce RVC and its initiatives and to help foster the development of an energy ecosystem in KSA."
Alongside the summit’s conference agenda, 250 Saudi energy stakeholders are attending to have one-to-one business meetings with up to 40 international solution and service providers.
Confirmed participants include Schneider Electric, Total, Sterling and Wilson, SMA Technology and Trishe Renewables.

Saudi Arabia aims to be world’s largest renewable energy market | Arab News

Those numbers are just staggering if you ask me. KSA would benefit hugely from technological advances on the solar energy front. Hopefully being a key part of that in the process as investments have been poured into that field. Anyway those technological advances will occur the question is just when? Give it 5-10 years IMO.

 

[al-Hasani]

Saudi Arabia ‘leads region for solar power potential’​

Manz AG... significant footprint in the region​

RIYADH, 14 days ago

While Saudi Arabia holds the largest potential for solar power in the region, the two emirates of the UAE – Dubai and Abu Dhabi – have also announced significant investments in solar farms with large scale projects, a top official said.

“On our part, we encourage our clients’ aspiration to migrate to solar with our technology that facilitates the production of even the solar panel locally,” added Mohamed Alammawi, vice president of Sales, Mena, Manz AG, a German-based manufacturer of high-tech equipment.

“We are seeking investors in its CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide) thin-film solar technology that generates electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity.”

With Saudi Arabia’s domestic usage of fossil fuels skyrocketing, and in turn driving down the revenue from international sale of oil and gas, the nation stands out as the largest potential market for solar energy in the region, with an ambitious target of 54GW of renewable energy installed in the country by 2032. Earlier this year, Manz AG announced plans to extend its business footprint into Saudi Arabia.

Manz AG has reported $109.3 million in revenues for the third quarter of 2014, 16 percent higher than in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

In the second quarter of 2014, the firm recorded the highest quarterly revenue in the company's history and has successfully sustained this positive trend with the third quarter results.

"We have further anchored our outstanding reputation as a reliable industry-partner for the development of innovative production systems for growing markets. This is reflected in the revenue trend in our strategic business areas since the start of the year,” said Dieter Manz, founder and CEO of Manz AG.

“The largest share of revenue during the first nine months of 2014 was allocated to the display segment at $225.3 million. But the company noted dynamic developments in all three of its target sectors of display, solar and battery that have the potential to serve its revenue beyond the current business year,” Man continued.

"Interest in our solutions from the display sector remains high. Meanwhile, the solar industry is on an upswing - albeit at the same low level. The persistently high growth in the retail market will lead to more investments in production systems and in turn increasing revenue.

“With the takeover in the battery segment in the second quarter of 2014 and the first large orders of production systems for the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries for consumer electronics, we have created the requirements in order to raise this segment to a new, higher revenue level. In view of all this, I am convinced of Manz AG's long-term company success," added Manz.

Manz AG’s total revenue from the first three quarters of 2014 amounted to $314.1 million, compared to a total revenue of $266.7 million in the same period in the previous year. – TradeArabia News Service

Saudi ‘leads region for solar power potential’

Saudi Electricity signs deal for integrated gas/solar plant​

KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia
Tue Dec 30, 2014 8:20am EST

Dec 30 (Reuters) - State-owned utility Saudi Electricity Co signed on Tuesday a contract worth 1 billion riyals ($267 million) to buy generators for the kingdom's first fossil fuel-fired power plant that will also produce solar energy.

The 550-megawatt integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) plant will primarily burn natural gas, but will generate 50 MW of solar energy to increase fuel efficiency at the planned facility near Tabuk on the Red Sea coast.

SEC did not name the company which will supply generating units to the plant, but an industry source familiar with the matter said the company was General Electric.

ISCC plants reduce emissions of climate-warming carbon by increasing the amount of steam available for driving power generation turbines, without having to burn more gas or oil.

SEC said the project, expected to cost a total of 2.5 billion riyals, would be fully operational before the end of 2017.

The company's chief executive Ziyad al-Shiha was also quoted as saying in the statement that a new high voltage direct current facility in Tabuk, expected to cost 4.5 billion riyals, would be commissioned in 2018 to boost electricity transmission in the country's western region and later to Egypt. (Reporting by Reem Shamseddine; Editing by Andrew Torchia)

Saudi Electricity signs deal for integrated gas/solar plant| Reuters

Additional useful links about the solar industry in KSA and the GCC;

Saudi Arabia Solar Industry Association | Saudi Arabia Solar Industry Association

Solar GCC | Solar GCC Alliance

@Chinese-Dragon

You tagged me in that other thread my friend and I agree with you. KSA is in a very strong position and has one of the best account balances out there. GCC as a whole is very well geared towards any drop in oil and gas prices.

List of sovereign states by current account balance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Let alone the information in this thread. Other oil-producing nations (non-GCC) are in big trouble though if the oil prices continue to fall or remain this low for the next 1 year or so.

The falling oil prices is actually a very good thing for KSA and the GCC on the long run. Forces the regimes to focus even more on the non-oil/gas etc. sectors which are growing at a fast rate (5-10% this past year).

I think that ultimately this will benefit Russia too which is also too dependent on their natural resources as their income source.

Also this below;

SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUNDS RISE AND SHINE IN THE GCC (WEALTH WORTH OVER USD 2 TRILLION)

Very good to see China and Singapore on that list of sovereign wealth funds.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

Yes, the MENA region as a whole even if it was up to me.

Don't be so harsh. You are not doing this bad at all. Other diasporas are doing worse.

Well one of the few major problems or stumbling blocks in the case of GCC was the rapid industrialization (which is still ongoing on a massive scale mind you due to the richnesses that makes it both possible and affordable) and the size of the population. Both are "problems" that can be solved. Give the GCC 10 years or so and most of the infrastructure and industralization will be comparable to USA and Western Europe. Population wise the GCC will reach 60-70 million or so in 10-15 years time if not faster. A perfect number IMO.

Now what you have mentioned I fully agree with.

Allow me to make my own quick list as I agree with 3 additions.

1) In the case of the GCC then the need to work towards a more democratic system where the population gets a similar power and influence to the one the average EU citizen has in his/her own country. I believe that Pakistan also has to work on this aspect.

2) Science and technology (a space program included. Take a look at the very ambitious plans of UAE and the GCC as a whole on this front). Education is connected here.

3) Agriculture and the need to learn how to be more economical when it comes to wasting resources. I don't know about Pakistan here but GCC is one of the most wasteful areas of the planet. It's shameful. Also water policies.

4) No hijacking of any religious dogma and the clergy should have less to say in terms of state matters. Let there be a separation between the state and clergy or at least a bigger gap than there is today. That does not mean being anti-religion.

5) INNOVATION. I cannot stress how important this is. That's what made the West the leading force and made otherwise humble countries and economies great compared to their size (Scandinavia says hello and many other European nations).

6) Hard work and a change of mentality. Don't demand what others can do for you but what you can do for others and your country. People in our part of the world that are in power largely mostly only care about their own pockets and staying in their favorable positions. Not so much about helping other people reach that position and thus helping the entire society as a whole reach a higher level.

If this is done then expect wonders. Not kidding. Of course easier said than done. It will take a few decades.

In the case of KSA I am kind of hopeful due to KSA having one of the youngest populations and due to the successful exchange student programs and opportunities for the population to study abroad in very high numbers. On the other hand I fear about what the constant unrest, sectarianism, lack of freedom etc. in the ME can do to the upcoming generations.

Excellent post sir.

Saudi is making all the right decisions again.

This is why Saudi will be the clear winner in the current oil price war. Almost a trillion in reserves, excellent finances, strong investment in education and renewable energy, etc.

While the other oil producers will be on their knees before long (many already are), Saudi has plenty of money and plenty of other options.

Saudi can wait out the storm, and claim the jackpot of huge profits and market shares, when the other oil producers can no longer afford to fight in the oil price war, and are forced to cut their production.

 

[al-Hasani]

Excellent post sir.

Saudi is making all the right decisions again.

This is why Saudi will be the clear winner in the current oil price war. Almost a trillion in reserves, excellent finances, strong investment in education and renewable energy, etc.

While the other oil producers will be on their knees before long, Saudi has plenty of money and plenty of other options.

Saudi can wait out the storm and claim the jackpot of huge profits and market shares when the other oil producers are forced to give up.

Bro, I am in my very earliest 20's. No "sir" yet.

Well, it's too soon to tell but clearly the decision to increase the market share on the oil market did not come out of the blue. As you say then there is an abundance in oil reserves that are the cheapest to extract as well, KSA has a very low population compared to many other oil producing giants (means low internal consumption and more room for export), some of the biggest proven gas reserves, some of the biggest proven shale gas reserves (if that one day becomes foreseeable to extract economically and environmentally safe) but most importantly KSA has probably the most potential in the world when it comes to solar power as this thread clearly shows. Wind power also has a very big potential.

Now, China also has a lot of sunshine and vast territory so I am sure that China has a similar potential if not a bigger even due to the size. Both in terms of solar and wind. Correct me if I am wrong here bro?

In terms of account balances then this is also something that is very encouraging. Not many nations can afford such a luxury. KSA (GCC as a whole which is basically one unit on many fronts), China, Japan, Germany, Russia etc. being one of the few.

So all in all I am hopeful also as there have been big investments in the non-natural resource sector which the fruits of those big investments will be seen in the upcoming years and decades. There is no doubt that KSA has to diversify their economy as must all oil and gas producing countries.

But if you as a country can become 100% self-sufficient in terms of energy even more so renewable energy (solar, wind) and be able to export that until now and to the day this planet ends then you are extremely well of and can place your focus on science, technology, innovation etc. and take the step and become a truly industrialized nation. GCC might be one of the richest areas on the planet in terms of wealth and living standards (not talking about social and political rights here before a troll jumps into our discussion) but the country still has tremendous work ahead of themselves to be a truly self-sufficent nation.

Anyway good to see you back and as you know then I am very happy to see the very close and increasing ties between the Arab world and China blossom like they once did long, long ago. The ancient Arab-Sino ties must become our main priority in terms of foreign policy. I have little trust in the US to be frank with you.

GCC and China sign deal to boost cooperation

Oh, KSA (other GCC nations are also planning to built nuclear plants) plans to built 16 nuclear plants by 2032. I am sure that China will be a part of this.

China should become our main ally if it was up to me. Only fitting for the country that KSA has the biggest trade balance with.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

Bro, I am in my very earliest 20's. No "sir" yet.

Well, it's too soon to tell but clearly the decision to increase the market share on the oil market did not come out of the blue. As you say then there is an abundance in oil reserves that are the cheapest to extract as well, KSA has a very low population compared to many other oil producing giants (means low internal consumption and more room for export), some of the biggest proven gas reserves, some of the biggest proven shale gas reserves (if that one day becomes foreseeable to extract economically and environmentally safe) but most importantly KSA has probably the most potential in the world when it comes to solar power as this thread clearly shows. Wind power also has a very big potential.

I'm also in my 20's, but I still like to call people here "sir". I don't know, it just sounds more polite I think.

And I'm very glad to see that the rational minds are having a great deal of influence in Saudi Arabia, everything they have done recently seems to be exactly right in terms of long-term development.

These are policies that I expect to see from my own leadership.

Saudi is clearly a class above the rest when it comes to the major oil producers, you can see the other oil producers complaining and crying against Saudi as we speak. Maybe they should have done what Saudi did, and improve the fundamentals of their economy first? Then maybe they would not be hurting so much right now.

Decades in the future when the oil runs out, Saudi will already be a first-tier developed economy. The fruits of their enormous investment in science and technology and education. And the other oil producers will be kicking themselves that they missed the boat.

 

[Mirza Jatt]

now thats a really refreshing news... I hope more and more nations adopt this way producing energy, it can contribute a lot to the environment.. all the best KSA

 

[elszADaQ]

KAUST photovoltaic solar cell R&D

 

[al-Hasani]

I'm also in my 20's, but I still like to call people here "sir". I don't know, it just sounds more polite I think.

And I'm very glad to see that the rational minds are having a great deal of influence in Saudi Arabia, everything they have done recently seems to be exactly right in terms of long-term development.

These are policies that I expect to see from my own leadership.

Saudi is clearly a class above the rest when it comes to the major oil producers, you can see the other oil producers complaining and crying against Saudi as we speak. Maybe they should have done what Saudi did, and improve the fundamentals of their economy first? Then maybe they would not be hurting so much right now.

Decades in the future when the oil runs out, Saudi will already be a first-tier developed economy. The fruits of their enormous investment in science and technology and education. And the other oil producers will be kicking themselves that they missed the boat.

The Arab world is also very formal in that way. Similar to China.

I agree but even those oil/gas producing nations that are struggling now due to the fall of the oil prices will have opportunities to transform their economies on the long run. For instance Russia will no doubt bounce back. Of course as much as they can in the current economic climate. All it depends on is how wise the decisions that their leaderships make will turn out.

But as you say then KSA has much bigger benefits currently and a much, much greater resilience to lower oil and gas prices due to clever policies and enormous wealth.

My friend I can see that you did not quote my full post. I added "a few more lines" (lol) quickly.

In any case I am looking forward to more Arab and Chinese - Han (the two biggest ethnic groups on the planet) doing business and afterwards enjoying coffee, tea or booze if they prefer that (lol) on the beaches of the GCC and China (Hainan Island especially). See post 7.

P.S: Some Arabs could very well use some strict Chinese discipline. China should have motivational speakers, teachers etc. that would be willing to install such a mentality in the pampered youth of especially the GCC. I would love to see that. Give them a good beating if necessary as well.

KAUST photovoltaic solar cell R&D

Thanks for the share bro. KAUST has the potential to be the modern Bayt al-Hikma (House of Wisdom). In a very short period of time they have established themselves as one of the most highly rated university in the MENA region with one of the fastest growing research and citation records in the world.

 

[idune]

what are sources for all solar panels needed for such huge production?

 

[al-Hasani]

what are sources for all solar panels needed for such huge production?

I don't understand your question but I guess stat all the articles posted from dozens of sources should answer most queries.

Renewable energy: Is Saudi Arabia the new land of opportunity?​

Last updated: Monday, April 15, 2013 10:39 AM

Amjad Parkar

Saudi Gazette

The potential for renewable energy in the Kingdom is vast if you believe various reports and expert opinions. It also appears the government is taking notice of the infinite resources it has at its disposal in this particular area of energy production.

Renewable energy, as a definition, is energy that comes from resources that are continuously replenished, such as sunlight, wind and waves.

Currently the Kingdom fulfills most of its energy needs through the production of its vast resources of oil. However, the “black gold” will not last forever, and experts have continuously urged the importance of looking at alternative ways to meet the world’s energy needs.

Saudi Arabia, in principle at least, is listening to this warning, and this is supported by its inclusion for the first time on Ernst & Young’s All Renewables Index (ARI) for 2012, at rank No. 37. The UAE is ranked two places higher at 35.

For example, Saudi Arabia’s government has reportedly announced plans to supply nine gigawatts of power from wind farms along the Red Sea coast the Arabian Gulf.

It has already reportedly planned a first round wind tender of 650 megawatts and a second round of 1.05 gigawatts, with the whole scheme being run by the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KA-Care).

This commitment is also reflected in its ranking on Ernst & Young’s wind index, where it is ranked 33rd.

There are other sources of renewable energy that have been harnessed by other countries throughout the world, such as hydroelectricity and geothermal power.

Hydropower is produced from energy from both waves and tides, with the former being more popular. However, developing hydropower stations can have an impact on marine environments and it also considered inefficient in terms of energy generation.

Also, hydropower produced from tidal energy is considered expensive. There is potential for providing electricity to desalination plants, usually located next to coastlines, using generators powered by wave and tidal energy thanks to its proximity to the Red Sea coast, but Saudi Arabia has not indicated that it considers this a viable option yet.

Geothermal power is drawn from thermal energy generated and stored in the earth and is considered sustainable and cost effective, although not usually for power generation, as that usually requires proximity to volcanic areas.

According to RG Thermal Energy Solutions, a company set up to address the significant potential for using geothermal energy in the Middle East, countries in the Gulf region have significant reserves of low-enthalpy geothermal resources.

With reservoir temperatures of 90 to 150 degrees Celsius, such resources are unsuitable for generating power (you need temperatures of 150 to 300 degrees Celsius).

However, low-enthalpy resources are ideal for direct applications such as cooling, heating water and desalination, delivering significant energy savings in the process, said RG Thermal Energy Solutions.

Again, however, the Kingdom has not indicated as yet that it will focus on this form of energy.

Instead, Saudi Arabia is focusing the bulk of its renewable energy plans on its powerful supply of sunlight.

According to the ARI report, the country ranks No. 14 in Ernst & Young’s solar index, and this ranking could easily rise if the country’s government is able to translate its ambitions and reportedly huge budget for renewable energy into substantial projects.

According to an energy expert who could not be identified, the Kingdom is definitely serious about getting major solar projects off the ground, especially as this type of energy has become more economically viable to produce.

He said: “Especially for this part of the world, solar is the way forward. We’re seeing enormous drops in price for solar panels.

“Prices for installed solar panels have dropped enormously in the last decade, from around $10 per watt, often to less than $2 per watt.

“You can see this enormous reduction in price thanks to the improving technology and the funds and attention it has been getting.

“This is due to economies of scale, new technologies, competition and support from governments in the form of subsidies and research incentives.

“Wind power is great for really well-resourced wind locations, but somewhere like Saudi Arabia where there’s so much sun, really investing in solar is going to make all the difference.”

He said the manufacturing and operation process for solar panels was extensive, requiring the raw materials of aluminum and silicon to produce the panels themselves in addition to manufacturing, installation and maintenance costs.

However, this presents a challenge, as until recently there was not really an effective method to clean panels in the sunny yet extremely dusty conditions in the past.

The BBC website in November last year reported that a team at King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST), led by Australian physics teacher Georg Eitelhuber, developed a fully automated mechanical cleaning solution that pushed dust and dirt away from panel surfaces once a day using a patented “dry sweep” mechanism.

Before the team came up with this solution, the only way to clean panels in such conditions was to use precious desalinated water, which could potentially lead to a high environmental and economic cost for producing solar power in Saudi Arabia.

According to the report, in just one hour a desert sandstorm could soil panels so much, their efficiency is reduced by up to 80 percent.

At the time of the report, this waterless solar panel cleaning device had various patents pending, indicating that it could soon become a reality and help avoid the need for the large amounts of desalinated water and laborers working in 40-degree temperatures.

According to the Ernst & Young report, the Saudi government announced that $109 billion had been earmarked to install 41 gigawatts of solar and nine gigawatts of wind capacity by 2032.

The solar expert believed that such an ambitious program would help solar companies to break into the Kingdom, helped by cooperative projects and work with local expertise from organizations such as KAUST, KA-Care and the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), the latter of which is reportedly home to a 3.5-megawatt solar array.

According to the International Energy Agency, the Kingdom uses a quarter of its 10 million bpd production domestically.

A Citigroup report added that if domestic demand continues to rise at its current rate, around 8 percent annually, the Kingdom could become an oil importer by 2030.

Households consume over half of the country’s energy demand, while 70 percent of power demand is for air-conditioning during the summer months.
The expert said there were opportunities for households in the Kingdom to become more energy efficient by using technology such as solar-powered water heaters and air-conditioners, for example.

He said it was a golden opportunity for new to developing industries to work toward this direction and contribute to reducing energy demand among households and indirectly push the country to focus on providing cleaner and more efficient forms of energy.

“With the right kind of support and the right direction and encouragement, anything is possible. This place truly is the land of opportunity.”​

Renewable energy: Is Saudi Arabia the new land of opportunity? | Environment | Saudi Gazette

It seems that we can answer yes to that question that this article from April 2013 posed.​

 

[idune]

I don't understand your question but I guess stat all the articles posted from dozens of sources should answer most queries.

In order to produce solar power KSA is building solar power plant. In order to make solar power plant solar PV panels are needed. Where these PV panels are coming from? Saudi companies are making these or sourced from outside?

 

[idune]

What do you mean with "where they are coming from"? They are either imported or manufactured locally.

aha, that is what I wanted to know. Thanks