Renewable Energy Research and Development in Saudi Arabia; Role of KACST Presented By Dr. Yousef Alyousef Energy Research Institute King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

ERI Strategic Goals The main focus of the Institute's efforts will be to: Adapt, implement, and produce energy-related technologies Present practical solutions to reduce energy waste in all sectors

ERI Strategic Goals Produce national databases of renewable energy resources Direct research towards the energy efficient provision of basic needs in remote areas Study the environmental impact of different energy sources

Major Accomplishments in R&D International Joint Research Programs Saudi-US Solar Program, SOLERAS Saudi-German Joint R&D Program, Solar Dishes, HYSOLAR National Research Programs PV Tunnel Lighting PV Grid-connected system Sadus PV-Desalination Plant Solar Dryers

Solar Village (SOLERAS) 350 kW PVPS, completed in 1981, 1st in size and complexity Supplied 1 to 1.5 MWh/ day to three villages Experiences acquired contribute significantly to technology development establishing the Solar Village test facility (thermal-sun simulator, PV-sun simulator & other installations)

Solar-powered Seawater Desalination completed 1984, indirect contact heat transfer freeze process (200 m3/day) Annual average solar energy collected is 2.2 MWh/ day Investigation of solution to mirror edge protection against environment Improvement of solar collector tracking mechanism Development of new commercial freeze desalination equipment

Solar Hydrogen Demonstration Plant (HYSOLAR) 350 kW World 1st, in large capacity, solar-powered hydrogen production plant, 1986 Acquire and transfer scientific knowledge for commercial production and use of solar hydrogen in Saudi Arabia Demonstrate safety of solar-hydrogen production using Solar Village 350kW PV plant Evaluate use of hydrogen as a future fuel

Fuel Cell R&D: Established an in-house know how PAFC (1992-97); half cell, mono cells, 100, 250, 1 kW stacks PEMFC(1998-2005) ; gas flow designs, H2 humidification, electrodes fabrication Current Activities: Utilization of Liquid Fuels in SOFC Development of Nano-tube Platinum Catalyst DMFC Preparation of Nano-ceramic materials using sol-gel process for SOFC

PV-Powered Highway Lighting project sponsored by KACST generate about 1.5 MWh of solar electricity/day include two remote tunnel lighting of 240 m & 546 m and 48 & 57 kWp and 6000 & 4900 Ahr battery size respectively calculated cost of kWh is around US$0.10

PV-grid connection studies Established in 1996 6 Arrays, 1Kw per Array; Total System Size is 6 kW No Storage System, i.e., Cost Reduction by 40%.

Solar Dryers utilise solar energy in dryer agriculture crops Development and testing of designs appropriate for climatic conditions

Resource Assessment Solar Resource Assessment 12 high quality solar radiation monitoring stations monitor total horizontal, direct normal & diffuse radiation

Resource Assessment Wind Resource Assessment 5 wind monitoring station, 40 m tower 2 Wind speed at 40, 30 & 20 m, 2 Wind vane at 30 & 40 m. global insolation, ambient temperature, relative humidity and barometric pressure

Solar Energy Solar Cell Technology Solar Cell Production Solar Power Plant

National organizations involved in helping to achieve our energy efficiency goals Ministry of Water & Electricity Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals Ministry of Municipal & Rural Affairs Saudi Arabian Standards Organization Saudi Electricity & Co-generation Regulatory Authority http://www.neep.org.sa

NEEP Objectives Energy Audit Energy Efficiency Information and Awareness Load Management and TOU Tariff Efficient Utilization of Oil and Gas Promotion of Energy Service Industry Equipment Labels and Standards Program Building Codes for Energy Efficiency Technical and Management Training

NEEP Achievements Include Conducted program of energy audits for selected buildings and facilities Initiated energy efficiency training and awareness programs Implemented a TOU tariff program for selected commercial entities Issued energy efficiency standards for selected household appliances Developed a labeling program for these appliances Developed energy efficiency codes for new buildings Established benchmarking of buildings & building services

TOU A study was conducted to evaluate Time of Use of tariff program in K.S.A. It contained the following items: Field survey on the participation of industrial, commercial sectors. Evaluation of response of the customers in implementing the program. problems Description of the appeared during the implementation. Conclude suggested items to support implementation Hallah/K.W Hours of the day Current tarrif

Results of the program 2006 2007 2008 item Middle middle-eastern-western region 11 37 72 commercial customers 34 145 296 industrial customers 45 182 386 Total number of customers 21.5 90.6 196 Shifted load (M.W)

Labeling system for home appliances

Thank you