Energy efficiency in Saudi Arabia - Research Paper Example

? Demand and management Energy Efficiency in Saudi Arabia Introduction Saudi Arabian government has become adequately aware about the need to depend more on renewable forms of energy instead of fossil fuel. Though the nation is abundant in oil that ensures cheap availability of energy; the economic, environmental, and social consequences of a total reliance on fossil fuel have become obvious through various studies. Also, the Saudi Arabian terrain proved itself rich in renewable sources like solar and wind energy. The harnessing of such alternative sources poses various challenges because of their higher cost of production and fluctuating nature. Because of their fluctuating nature, it has become necessary to store them for future use. Thus, the article by Rahman et al (2012) looks into the present day energy sector in Saudi Arabia and the geographical and environmental conditions of Saudi Arabia to introduce various storage systems that are currently available. Thereafter, these various systems are compared for their advantages and disadvantages before making the final suggestion. The work gains significance for the fact that the most challenging factor in the field of renewable energy use in Saudi Arabia is the effective storage of energy. The article: an overview Rahman et al (2012) write the article with a complete understanding of the energy sector of Saudi Arabia. The article acknowledges the shortcomings of the present day energy storage systems and the need to store renewable energy in Saudi Arabia. The article begins with the acknowledgement that for Saudi Arabia and any other nation, the way to reduce petroleum use and consequent air pollution is the storage of renewable energy. Though there are certain advancements in the storage of energy, the growth has not been sufficient to meet the demands. Quoting Lee and Gushee, the scholars point out that if renewable energy has to become an important part of base load dispatchable power; and, it should develop the capacity for massive electricity storage. In order to assess the usability and challenges of using various storage systems in Saudi Arabia, the first factor taken into consideration is the climatic condition. It is pointed out by the scholars that batteries are highly sensitive to weather conditions such as ‘temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure and wind speed’ (ibid). Saudi Arabia possesses a desert climate with extreme heat during the day and cold at night. Inconsistent rainfall and significant variation in temperature and humidity also makes the climate of the region unique. Thereafter, the scholars look into the energy supply and demand in Saudi Arabia. It is found that while Central Operating Area (COA) is considered, the maximum load during the day is 9725MW and the minimum load is 7290MW (Rahman, et al, 2012). Similarly, peak load occurs in the month of July and minimum load occurs in the month of January; and they are 9725MW and 2133MW respectively (ibid). Thus, Rahman, et al (2012) find that the average load remains below 8500MW for 16 hours in a day. So, the suggestion is that if EESS system can supply the load during peak hours, it can be charged during the off-peak hours. After acknowledging the fact that energy storage system in Saudi Arabia needs to meet all these requirements, the work looks into the major energy storage systems that seem useful in Saudi Arabia. The systems are divided into three categories based on their nature: mechanical systems, electrical systems, and chemical systems (Rahman, et al, 2012). The first mechanical system examined by the scholars is pumped hydroelectric energy storage. In this system water is pumped and stored at higher elevations. When required, this water is released onto a turbine to generate electricity. The second mechanical system is the flywheel that can generate uninterrupted DC power supply when coupled with innovative components. The third system is the compressed air energy system in which air is compressed and stored in a vessel during off-peak hours and then released to run a gas-fired turbine during peak hours. The second category is electrical systems which provide superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) which stores energy in a circulating superconducting coil. In this system, energy indefinitely circulates through the coil without loss. This system results in very less loss of energy compared to other systems. However, the issue is that this system is not suitable for long term use because of the high cost of superconducting coil and refrigeration. The third category is chemical systems or batteries. Some useful batteries are lead-acid battery, nickel-cadmium battery, sodium-sulfur battery, and vanadium redox battery (Rahman, et al, 2012). The challenges associated with these batteries are cycle life, depth of discharge, reliability, efficiency and cost. When all these factors are taken into consideration, it becomes evident that vanadium-redox battery and sodium-sulfur battery are the best options for consideration. It is opined that if these storage devices are further developed and integrated for storing electrical energy, there will be improved dispatchability and reliability (ibid). Storage of renewable energy- a global issue In order to understand the significance of the work by the scholars, one has to understand the importance of storing green energy. As Luoma (2009) identifies, the problem with wind and solar power is that they are intermittent. So, according to the scholar, finding ways to store millions of watt of excess of electricity for times when the wind does not blow and the sun does not glow is the new Holy Grail. The article points out that though there are certain such systems, all have their own demerits (ibid). Thus, it becomes evident that a close comparison of the various storage devices is very necessary, especially for a geographical terrain like the Middle East where the climate is rather extreme. Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy potential Understanding the significance of storing renewable energy in the Saudi Arabian context is deeply linked to understanding the availability of renewable energy there. Alnatheer (2005) looks into the huge possibility of harnessing renewable energy sources in Saudi Arabia. The first stunning revelation is that the annual amount of solar energy that falls in the geographical area is nearly 6000 times higher than the amount required to meet the total energy requirements of Saudi Arabia (ibid). Presently, the available photovoltaic cells are capable of converting 10-13% of the solar energy into electrical energy; and theoretically speaking, by covering nearly 0.2% of the land area of Saudi Arabia with solar photovoltaic cells, it is possible to meet the total energy requirements (ibid). Similar is the case of wind energy in Saudi Arabia. Admittedly, the nation has been witnessing a sharp rise in the use of wind energy since 1960s. A lot of efforts are done in the research and development sector for the development of more efficient conversion systems. For example, the Energy Research Institute has many joint ventures like SOLERAS with the US and HYSOLAR with Germany. Research and development has made it obvious that solar energy has a multitude of practical uses ranging from lighting, cooling, water heating, crop drying, and water desalination, operation of irrigation pumps, meteorological stations, providing tunnel lighting, traffic lights, and road signals (Said et al, n.d). However, Alnatheer (2005) identifies a number of obstacles which can hinder the growth of solar energy. The first obstacle is the availability of low cost oil in abundance. The second problem is the dust effect that reduces the capacity of photovoltaic cells by 10-20% (ibid). Studies show that most of the areas in Saudi Arabia will have adequate wind speeds to harness wind energy. Several studies have been conducted to assess the potential for wind energy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Studies identified two vast windy regions along the Arabian Gulf and the Red Seas Coastal areas. The average annual wind speed in these two regions is higher than 9 knots (Said et al, n.d.). There are four important sites identified as suitable for the installation of small scale and large scale wind energy conversion systems. The sites are Yenbo and Al-Wajah on the Red Sea Coast, Dhahran on the Arabian Gulf Coast, and Quaisumah in the north east of the Kingdom (Meisen & Hunter,2007). Environmental issues and Saudi Energy Sector Another important claim by Rahman et al (2012) in the beginning of the article is that renewable energy is very vital for the environment of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East as a whole. At this juncture, it seems vital to analyse as to what will be the environmental benefits. Watson (2009) points out that petroleum is the main culprit behind the recent changes in the world climate. The impact of crude oil spilling from tanker accidents and offshore drilling is very dangerous for the environment; and it is pointed out that this oil coats animal fur and feathers (ibid). As a result, the animals lose their ability to stay warm, and they ingest the toxins in the effort to clean themselves. The animals that do not die immediately develop liver and reproductive issues. In addition is the economic loss associated with fisheries and tourism. According to the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Saudi Arabia is the 14th biggest contributor to world CO2 emissions. According to statistics, 118 million metric tons of carbon is released in a year (CDIAC, 2011). Another surprising fact is that nearly 64.2% of the total CO2 emission is the result of the consumption of petroleum productions (ibid). The rising domestic energy needs in Saudi Arabia Another serious issue is the rising energy demands in Saudi Arabia which is unlikely to fall in the imminent future. The report Burning Oil to Keep Cool: The Hidden Energy Crisis in Saudi Arabia from Chatham House dated December 2011 points out that in Saudi Arabia, the domestic demand for oil and gas is growing at a rate of 7% per year. Presently, the nation is consuming more than 25% of its total oil production (Lahn & Stevens, 2011). This amounts to nearly 2.8 million barrels a day. If the present trend continues, it will become an oil importing nation by the year 2038 (ibid). There are many more economic factors that are of great concern. Firstly, the population of Saudi Arabia is on rise, and secondly, the use of vehicles is calculated at 230 vehicles per 1000 people. Admittedly, this number is still in growing stage and is just half the levels of Europe and one-third of that in the US. So, the possibility is that the number of vehicles in Saudi Arabia will rise sharply in the coming years; only to add fuel to the fire. Another important factor that makes energy storing important for Saudi Arabia is the fluctuating nature of energy consumption. It is pointed out that the energy consumption rises by 50% during summers. Also, there is another point that makes the storage of electricity very important for Saudi Arabia. That is the need for regular air-conditioning in the extreme summers when temperature rises to 40-50 degree Celsius. The last point of consideration is the need for power for desalination. Presently, the nation is meeting its almost entire commercial and residential water needs by desalination. With its rare groundwater resources further depleting, and the population and water needs rising, the nation should take energy allocation to these areas well into consideration (Lahn & Stevens, 2011). From these points, it is evident that the only way out of this quagmire for Saudi Arabia is to turn towards solar and wind energy. The Saudi Arabian governmental response towards the situation DiPaola (2011) of Bloomberg reports on 1 April 2011 that Saudi Arabia has made a $ 100 billion plan to reduce its dependence on crude oil and to improve solar energy harnessing. The King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy which is responsible for promoting alternative energy points out that the target regarding solar energy is to generate nearly 20% of the total electricity from renewable sources by the year 2030 (ibid). That means, nearly 18,000 MW of electricity will be produced from renewable sources. In order to meet the situation, the government has taken three steps. The steps are energy price reform, regulations for increased efficiency, and adding renewable sources of energy. Some examples of the renewed interest in the renewables are the solar-powered desalination plant near Jeddah, and the new King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy which is created to oversee the renewable drive. As a result, the nation started its first 500 KW grid-connected solar power station on Farasan Island in October 2011. In addition, there are laboratories for innovation in the field of renewable energy. To illustrate, there is the King Abdullah University for Science & Technology which is solely dedicated to developing clean energy technologies. The benefits of relying on renewable sources It is pointed out by various scholars like Alnatheer (2005) that the use of renewable energy sources offers a large number of benefits to Saudi Arabia. Some such benefits are the possibility of using the energy for a wide ranger of purposes, the possibility of saving the domestic oil fields for the future, economic development as a result of the creation of new jobs, environmental benefits as a result of reduced pollution, and system benefits as the energy thus created can be used as base load power, peaking power, backup power, remote power, and also for power quality requirements (ibid). Challenges in utilising the renewable energy sources in Saudi Arabia The biggest challenges identified in the Saudi Arabian terrain are the extreme weather conditions, fluctuating nature of the renewable energy sources, fluctuating nature of energy consumption, and lack of cost-effective energy storage systems (Alnatheer, 2005). It is pointed that due to the absence of reliable technology, the realistic potential for renewable energy is small (ibid). In the opinion of Luoma (2009), the main issue surrounding the use of renewable energy so far was the ‘grid parity’. It was argued by many that wind and solar energy would not be able to compete with conventional energy in the matter of production cost. However, with the advancement of technology, the production cost of wind power is now roughly equal to that of coal power (ibid). Similarly, the grid parity of solar power will also become a reality in the near future. Thus, the next stage is finding ways to store the millions of watt of excess electricity for future. The scholar points out that one way to incorporate solar power would be to have a network of small energy-dense batteries in tens of millions of homes. These batteries should be attached to a grid with computer coordination to control the flow of energy. The second option is to have a giant battery that can store tens of millions of watt electricity. The best example of this approach is the city of Fairbanks in Alaska. Around 100,000 residents of Fairbanks benefit from the huge nickel-cadmium battery (ABB Inc, 2011). That battery is able to produce 40 million watt of power but only for a period of seven minutes. So, the next major hurdle is to improve the efficiency of storage systems (ibid). A look into the possible solutions Thus, the discussion makes it clear that the best possible way out at this juncture is to give birth to hybrid systems. These hybrid systems will be dependent on a number of energy sources at the same time. This helps reduce the uncertainty associated with the fluctuating nature of the energy sources in Saudi Arabia. Thus, there will be better possibility of stability and reliability (The Small Grants Programme, n.d). A look back into the article- relevance Thus, from the analysis, it has become evident that the storage of renewable energy is the most pressing concern for the Kingdom at present. This is so because there are environmental issues, economic issues and social issues. In addition, studies prove that there are various factors that deserve attention while deciding the kind of storage because of the extreme climate of Saudi Arabia and the fluctuating nature of alternative energy. It is at this juncture that Rahman et al (2012) come up with the study about various available storage systems and their suitability for Saudi Arabian terrain. The study, while analyzing the various storage mechanisms, takes into account factors like cost, application, commercial maturity, space requirement, energy density, cycle life, and rechargeability (ibid). In addition, batteries are compared against each for factors like efficiency, cycle life, size, operation temperature, energy density, and pollution (ibid). It is on the basis of all these factors that the study reaches the conclusion that vanadium-redox battery and sodium-sulfur battery are the best options considering the geography of Saudi Arabia. Thus, the scholars try to provide an insight into the weakest link of energy domain. Through the work, they prove the fact that storage is the most important element at present to ensure proper utilisation of renewable energy. When the energy source is intermittent and fluctuating, it is necessary to have proper storage to make the energy dispatchable and reliable. Also, studies prove that though an imminent drying out of fossil fuels is unlikely for Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom is worried about the increasing domestic consumption that eats up as much as one fourth of the total production: and the nation is in need of reducing its domestic consumption (Haluzan, 2011). Also, the nation plans to sell solar power as a way of income. Thus, it becomes evident that the article by Rahman et al (2012) has a lot of significance in the present day Saudi Arabian energy sector. In addition, the suggestions they have made are based on rational understanding of the challenges in the Saudi Arabian terrain and the nature of various storage systems. The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, in its working paper 125 dated October 2008, points out that the fossil fuel resources in Saudi Arabia is not going to dry out in the near future. According to the paper, one benefit of adopting such an initiative is that Saudi Arabia will become world’s unsurpassed oil supplier (ibid). This can be achieved if the nation increases production and reduces domestic consumption. If such steps are taken, there will be a further decline in the production cost of oil. According to Al- Saleh et al (2008), other nations that are high-cost producers will be left out of business. Another point as put forward in the study is that if Saudi Arabia tries to increase production of oil and flow more oil into other nations when the world is getting more and more green-conscious, the only benefit out of the effort will be a strained relation with its other oil producing neighbours. In this case too, it will be beneficial if the nation manages to produce and sell solar energy instead of oil. Thus, in total, it becomes evident that in any case, the article by Rahman et al (2012) is of great relevance as it deals with the most important aspect in incorporating renewable energy into the energy sector as a stable and reliable form of energy that is worth harnessing. References ABB Inc 2011, ‘Case note: World’s largest battery energy storage system Fairbank, Alaska, USA’, pp. 1-4, Viewed 23 February 2012, Al- Saleh, YM, Upham, P & Malik, K 2008, ‘Renewable energy scenarios for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, pp. 1-64. Alnatheer, O 2005, ‘The potential contribution of renewable energy to electricity supply in Saudi Arabia’, Energy Policy, vol. 33, pp. 2298-2312. CDIAC 2011, ‘Saudi Arabia fossil-fuel CO2 emissions’, Viewed 23 February 2012, DiPaola, A 01 April 2011, ‘Saudi Arabia to target solar power in $100 billion energy plan’, Bloomberg, Viewed 23 February 2012, Haluzan, N 2011, ‘Saudi Arabia needs solar energy to save oil’, Renewable Energy Articles, Viewed 23 February 2012, Luoma, JR 2009, ‘The challenge for green energy: How to store excess electricity’, Environment 360: Opinion, Analysis, Reporting & Debate, Viewed 23 February 2012, Lahn, G & Stevens, P 2011, ‘Burning oil to keep cool the hidden energy crisis in Saudi Arabia’, Chatham House, pp. 1-39. Meisen, P & Hunter, L 2007, ‘Renewable energy potentials of the Middle East, North Africa vs. The nuclear development option’, Global Energy Network Institute, pp. 1-33. Viewed 23 February 2012, Rahman, F, Rehman, S & Abdul-Majeed, MA 2012 ‘Overview of energy storage systems for storing electricity from renewable energy sources in Saudi Arabia’, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 16, pp.274–283. Said, SAM, El-Amin, Im & Al-Shehri, AM n.d, ‘Renewable energy potentials in Saudi-Arabia’, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, pp. 1-9. The Small Grants Programme n.d, ‘Hybrid wind- solar power system for village lightning, occupied Palestinian territories’, Arab States: Occupied Palestinian Territories-I, pp. 1-3, Viewed 23 February 2012, Watson. B 13 September 2009, ‘Political pollution: The true cost of petroleum’, Daily Finance, Viewed 23 February 2012, Read More