The Potential of Using Solar Thermal Power Generation for Brunei Darussalam - Research Proposal Example

PROPOSAL FOR MASTER THESIS IN ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION TOPIC: THE POTENTIAL OF USING SOLAR THERMAL POWER GENERATION FOR BRUNEI DARUSSALAM SUPERVISOR: 5 December 2011 Abstract Brunei Darussalam depends almost entirely on fossil fuels to generate its energy for basic consumption. This overreliance on fossil have diverse impacts both on the economy and the environment and thus it has been a government initiative to try and diversify into renewable sources of energy. There is relatively low research and academic study in this field and thus the need to explore research and disseminate this information on solar power potential in the small country. This is a proposal for the research about the potential of solar thermal energy in power generation for Brunei Darussalam. In this research scientific analysis using mathematical analysis will be used to accurately define the impact of solar power would have on the environment, the economy and the data about solar power potential which will form basis for further study and policy implementation. Background Solar thermal power generation is relatively underutilized technology in Brunei Darrussalam. This mainly due to lack of suffient data, analysis and research in this arel. This research theisis shall look into collection of scientific data about the capacity of solar thermal power generation in the sultanate and come up with mathematical formulars for the analysis of the energy potential fo solar in Brunei Darrussalam. In view of an article by Bandar Seri Begawan(2010) the brunei government is actively searching for renewable enegies such as hydro, solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, wind , tidal and osmotic renewable energy as alternatives to the mainly fossil fuel energy source the country is dependent on. In a studey by the department of electrical services in 2009 it was established that Brunei had a generating capacity of 695MW producing 3071 GWh against a demand of about 2980 GWh.This study showed that the country generated more energy that it requires but with rising demand in population, commerce and industry this would be unsustainable. Research studies indicated that oil reserves in Brunei would be depleted by the year 2038. The solution to this situation is the utilization of solar energy for power generation. Brunei being a tropical countries is endowed with this natural resource. According to previous research the country reciece an avarage of 435 to 533 watts per meter square of solar energy.This exposure is quite suffient for solar thermal power generation. For solar power generation there is also need for large areas of flat land for efficient harvesting of the solar energy and this fact provides a major engineering problem in the harnessing of this resource.The government has been in the forefront of promoting solar technology by installing a 1.2MW capacity Tenaga Suria Brunei project with has been a bench mark in the countries green technology initiatives. From our ealier estimates of avarage solar energy per meter square it can be estimated that only 1% of Brunei’s land surface area would be required to produce 9.6GWh annually against a demand of 2,929,000 MWh consumed in 2006. With this background of interest in solar thermal energy as a source of power generation for Brunei’s energy needs, there is a need to carefully study the potential this source of energy in the country. This study shall contribute to the general efforts by the Brunei ministry of energy to embrace renewable energy to promote economic and environmental well being of the county.This research shall put model prototype solar thermal power generators at various locations and collect the data on the different energy potentials depending on locations. With this data the research also seeks to determine the avarage capacity of the solar thermal power in the country and also derive the basic mathematical analytic formulaes with relation to solar thermal power potential of the Brunei context. This study shall also look into the environmental impact assesment of such power stations. This study shall look at how use of solar thermal power generators affect the ecosystem and consequently derive a hypothesis on the likely impact of the solar thermal power generation in the country. Aims and objectives This research shall have the following aims and objectives that would be achieved through the research. These objectives are; 1. To quantify scientifically the potential of Brunei Darussalam in solar thermal power production 2. To collect and tabulate solar radiation data resources and assess them 3. To create a framework for further studies, research and use through formulation of mathematical formulas and technologies selection 4. To give a proper analysis of the impact of solar thermal power generation on the environment and its perception by the public 5. To analyse the economic impact of solar thermal power generation to the country’s ecomony. Research Questions This thesis shall seek to answer various questions regarding the questions. For effective analysis and to keep a proper line of research some question need to be formulated that would be answered by this research. The questions are as follows 1. What is the solar power capacity of Brunei Darussalam 2. Why is solar thermal power generation important 3. What are the mathematical formulas related to solar power thermal generation in the country 4. What are the perception of the people about solar thermal power production and the impact of this generation on the environment and the economy? Expected outcomes After the entire period of research it is expected that sufficient data on solar power generation shall be obtained to be able to accurately draw a country map statistically. This information shall also enable the evaluation of the potential of the solar thermal power generation. It will give important data on the possible amounts of power that can be created and the cost implications. The data collected in the duration of the research shall enable the creation of suitaable mathematical formulars and analysis that would be used in the country. This research shall provide a base for future study and application in industry in the area of solar thermal power production in the South Asian country. The research shall also give an indication of the impact of solar thermal power generation on the environment. It is expected that it would be a safer and cleaner renewable energy source that does not contribute to carbon emission. From previous research it has been proved that solar power is sustainable and environmentaly freindly in line with the government goals(ministry of energy). This research shall also do an economical analysis of the impact of use of solar thermal power production to the country. The research expects that solar thermal power production shall be economical to the country in the long term. This is because Brunei’s energy needs are based on refined fuels and use of solar thermal power technology would reduce their dependancy on fossil fuel which is imported as the country lacks the capacity to refine its oil. With reduced importation of oil means less reliance on other countries hence more control over the country’s energy sector and thus more stable prices. The economy shall also improve as the technology is use more citizens would get employment in the solar thermal power production. Research Methodology The research methodology shall include the use of model thermal power generators in various locations with the country and tabulating the results. The research shall also require the observation using various sun measurement instruments to calculate the sunshine capacity in terms of duration and intensity. To develop the mathematical formulas for the solar thermal power generation in Brunei. The data gathered shall be tabulated and appropriated graphs are drawn and observations made. The mathematical softwares and GIS software shall be use to accurately record the various observations based on location to location data.From the study of the impact on the environmet, data of the ecosystemic elements shall be gathered on model solar thermal power generators at several locations and this data is analysed and tabulated. Conclusion In conclusion this proposal seeks to contribute to the academic research on the issue of solar thermal power production in the country by assessing the potential and its impact economically and enviromentally to the Country. References Roz Alia Zin and BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 2010. Looking at alternative energy options for Brunei. The Brunei Times [Online] Tuesday 29 June 2010 Available at < http://www.bt.com.bn/science-technology/2010/06/29/looking-alternative-energy-options-brunei> Accessed on 3 December 2011 Petroleum Brunei, 2010. Renewable Energy Opportunities: Options for Brunei Darussalam? [Online] 2010 Available at Accessed on 3 December 2011 Earthtrends, 2010. Energy and Resources- Brunei Darussalam. [Online] 2003 Available at < http://www.bt.com.bn/science-technology/2010/06/29/looking-alternative-energy-options-brunei> Accessed on 3 December 2011 Read More