1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. Fuel Cell R&D: Established an in-house know how
PAFC ( ); half cell, mono cells, 100, 250, 1 kW stacks
PEMFC( ) ; 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

9. 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

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%.

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

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

13. 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

14. Solar Energy Solar Cell Technology Solar Cell Production
Solar Power Plant

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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)

20. Labeling system for home appliances

21. Thank you