1. Renewable Energy Strategic Research Program
Dr. Ahmed Said Al Busaidi
Program manager of the renewable energy research program
April 2015

2. CONTENT Background & Scope Stages of building the strategy
Program objectives
The research themes
Database creation and Awareness activities
Program management
Process for submitting research proposals
Program Budget
Expected outcomes of the renewable energy strategic research program
Aims of the work shop & Workshop format

3. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Vision
“We emphasize on the importance of diversification of income sources, as well as to bring more efforts in this area, also to consider taking advantage from the alternative energy, and pay more efforts to achieve the food security as much as needed, in this regard we have issued our orders to the specialized authorities to develop appropriate plans for these areas”.
Majlis Oman 2008

4. Background Renewable energy status in Oman Scope
Renewable energy Resources
Pilots projects
Studies
Challenges
Scope
Program initial approval

5. Solar Energy Assessment
The solar isolation varies from 4.5 to 6.1 kWh/m2 per day which corresponding to 1640– 2200 kWh per year per square meter.
The consumption of energy is higher during the summer time due to the need for air conditioning.
Theoretically, it is possible to power Oman by utilizing about 280 km2 of desert from solar collectors, corresponding to 0.1% of the area of the country.
The capacity factor of PV plant varies between 20% and 14% and the cost of electricity varies between 210 and 304 US$/MWh for the best location to the least attractive location.
The study has also found that the PV energy at the best location is competitive with diesel generation without including the externality costs of diesel.
An average of about 6000 tons CO2 and 5000 tons of GHG emissions can be avoided.

6. Wind Assessment
The high wind speeds are found along the coast from Masirah to Salalah. The highest wind speeds are in the Dhofar Mountain, during the summer period.
The maximum expected energy is at Thumrat for an almost 4.5 kWh/m2/year
Offshore: There is a lot of wind energy available offshore.
The wind remains a suitable economic option for small remote applications where the national grid is not yet extended

7. Biomass energy
Biogas resources material for generation is primarily available in the northern part of Oman in the forms of waste water and agriculture waste and in the southern part of Oman in the forms of waste water, animal dung and agriculture waste.
The biomass sector has the potential to expand without harmful effects on food supplies and the environment if done in a sustainable manner.
Greater recovery of wood from unmanaged and managed wood and could make a significant contribution to Oman energy targets.
Moreover, in Oman there are several landfills which can be utilized to produce methane gas so that it can be used as a fuel source.
Biogas investments: limitation (collection of materials and availability of these materials because these are processed and used as fertilizer)
No industry of biofuels in Oman
The waste water system is covering only small part of Oman, which currently is not sufficient to provide a fuel for a power plant.
There is good potential for the Oman to expand its production of sustainable bio-fuel in the future if the infrastructure and the right industry is available.

8. Wave/ Hydor energy Geothermal Energy
The wave energy in the world oceans varies from approximately 10 kW/m wavelength and up to approximately 100 kW/m.
The wave energy potential in the Arabian Sea is among the lowest in the world and it can be assumed that this energy cannot contribute significantly to power generation in Oman.
The PAEW is planning o direct some research for the hydro energy of the Wadi Dahqa Dam.
Geothermal Energy
The geothermal energy does not have any potential use in the country.
Temperature maps for 500 and 1500 m depths and locations of boreholes within the petroleum Development Oman concession area reveals that the highest temperature is 174 C0. That was observed in the northern part of Oman in the Omani mountains.

9. FACTs Electricity Capacity and Peak Load in Oman between 2004-2013
Ref: Authority for Electricity Regulation, 2011, Annual Report Online

10. FACTs Oman’s Government subsidies for power generation
Annual Book, Statistical and information center , 2014

11. Renewable Energy studies (PAEW)
Pilot Projects (5 projects( wind/solar) with an expected installed capacity of 0.5M-5MW)
A feasibility study for power production by wind energy in Dhofar: Masdar Future Energy (Abu Dhabi)
Feasibility study to produce power from solar energy with capacity of MW Objectives( MW ) in Adam, Mannah, Ibri and AL Khabourah.
A study to prepare general policy for RE in Oman (Finance:IRENA Consultants:Experts from SQU)
Wind Resources Atlas study in Oman (Finance: PAEW Consultant: Rimal Global Technical Services )

12. Renewable energy r strategic research program ?
Opportunities
Positive investment climate, strong property rights, and low tax regimes +Good Markets
RE resources &Environment
High opportunity costs of using gas for power
Pilots
Barriers
Industrial ???
Oil Prices
Not enough capacity
Fragmentation of efforts
Policies and regulations ?
PAEW + TRC
Renewable energy r strategic research program ?

13. Scope
As a result of these challenges, TRC has established the Renewable Energy Research Strategy Program. Considered to be a major step towards unlocking the country's  renewable energy potential and activating energy-quality programs as well as a much-needed boon to the national economy.
The program will maximize the benefits of advanced research and promote cooperation among all involved stockholders in this area.
The Sultanate can benefit in many ways, from the capabilities and outcomes of the advanced research.

14. Initial Research Program Approval
Meeting 3
What has been done?
Jan 2014
Meeting 2
* Workshop to discuss main outcomes of the research and studies
*A team was given the task to start working in the strategic
*Approval of 4 research themes
*Establishing of t he technical task forces
*finalizing the strategic document
Meeting 1
*Discussion of first draft of the strategic
*Brain storming about the main objectives and outcomes of the program
Steering
Committee
Approval
Nov 2014
March
2013
Initial Research Program Approval
may 2013

15. Vision: Towards clean and sustainable energy
VISION & MISSION
Mission:
To conduct high quality scientific, experimental research to seek and propose real solutions for national challenges of renewable energy and energy efficiency. These pilot researches will enhance the capacity building, knowledge transfer and will contribute in the comprehensive sustainable development in Oman.

16. Objectives
Identify the most important areas of scientific research for Oman which can contribute to experimental renewable energy research and provide scientific solutions.
Support and conduct experimental pilot research projects in the identified areas using the latest scientific solutions, information and techniques.
Provide realistic scientific facts to decision makers on evidence-based solutions, which will help in planning of formulating regulations and policies.
Enhance capacity building in the field of renewable energies, program development and creating a motivational research environment.
Increase the mutual cooperation and networking between academic and industrial organizations, and maximize the benefit from cooperation with various international organizations.
Develop a platform to host links to databases to provide all of the required weather data, raw data, geographical data, reports and the latest research outcomes.
Disseminate the outcomes of the program to stakeholder through awareness activities.

17. Process of developing the strategy
Steering Committee meeting
Work Shop
Experts
8-9/4/2015
17/11/2014
Steering Committee meeting
Task Forces
12/3/2015 1 2 3 4
15/2/2015
TRC board Approval
Writing the strategic document
26/4/2015
CALL for Proposals
Members
Main responsibilities
Recommend the subthemes (pilots)

18. The research themes

19. Research Theme1 The use of renewable energies in the fields of cooling and Air-conditioning
Oman is known for its hot climate and air-conditioning is the most energy consuming sources.
Air-conditioning drains almost three quarters of energy in the summer time. With the increase in population and infrastructural expansion, consumption figures increase steeply and hence calls for a prompt action.
In addition to energy management, renewable-energy- driven technologies stand out to be the most viable alternative.
Source: AER, Oman 2013

20. Research Theme1 cont,, The use of renewable energies in the fields of cooling and Air-conditioning
Examples of the proposed research areas in this theme are listed below (but not limited to):
Air conditioning for humid/hot areas in Oman.
Development of Environment-friendly Hybrid/cogeneration cooling systems.
Using renewable energy/waste heat for absorption cooling tailored for local conditions.  

21. Research Theme2 The use of the renewable energies for water desalination purposes
Nationally, the demand for water is more than what is currently available from renewable resources, and more that 50% of this demand is met with desalinated water.
Water shortages are expected to contribute to increased energy problems, and environmental considerations such as global warming will add other significant pressures. Therefore, there is no realistic solution for a sustainable water and energy future, without the substantial participation of renewables in general and, in particular, solar.
Over the past ten years, there has been a considerable increase in the number of desalination plants in Oman; all of which are based on conventional energy resources. The higher the demand for water, the higher the demand for the desalination plants, because of the decline in ground water levels and low rainfalls in the country.
Source: PAEW Annual report 2013

22. Research Theme2 cont,, The use of the renewable energies for water desalination purposes
Since desalination is an energy-intensive process, its dependency on conventional energy resources will be a difficult task, in the long run. The only option is to find a suitable alternative energy source that can connect with desalination plants. Oman is considered to be amongst the highest solar energy densities in the world and can theoretically cover all of the country’s energy demand.
Examples of the proposed research areas in this theme are listed below (but not limited to):
Solar Power membrane Distillation using sea water.
Solar PV driven RO brackish water Desalination plant.
Solar Power Multiple Effect Distillation using sea water.
Enhancing the performance of humidification and dehumidification unit, combining cultivation and desalination for irrigation.
Source: PAEW Annual report 2013

23. Research Theme 3 Energy Efficiency
Buildings are the major consumer of energy, worldwide. In developing countries, such as Oman, the high energy consumption in buildings is mainly attributed to the lack of local energy standards and energy-efficiency programs.
Latest report shows the residential and commercial buildings consumed between 60 to 70% of electricity produced in 2012, with the bulk of this used by air conditioning systems.
The AER annual report has also indicated an increase of 31% and 63% in energy intensity for the residential and commercial sectors between 2005 and The increase in energy intensity and the continuous electrical demand is substantial and considered unsustainable, in the long run.

24. Research Theme 3 Energy Efficiency
In order to alleviate this major dilemma, the energy efficiency pilot projects will be targeted towards the residential and commercial buildings.
Examples of research topics may include (but not limited to):
Energy audit to identify energy-efficient retrofitting opportunities in large buildings.
National study for residential buildings energy efficiency monitoring, analysis, and modeling.

25. Research Theme 4 Power generating and storage
In Oman, the electricity demand has increased from 2773 MW in to 5691 MW in While, in 2010 the annual growth rate was 17.8%, and peak demand is envisaged to continue increasing due to the accelerated population and industrial growth in Oman.
The forecasted peak power demand in 2018 will be 6600 MW, and shortages in electric energy are expected to occur in the near future if current trends continue.
This situation indicates that a quick action must be taken to cover the expected increase in the energy demand.
Research shows that renewable energy can play a major role in electric energy production and storage in Oman. To achieve the above objectives, research studies and applied experimental research projects must be executed to explore energy generation and storage using solar energy, wind energy, biomass, wave and tide energy and geothermal energy.

26. Research Theme 4 cont ,,, Power generating and storage
Examples of research topics may include (but not limited to):
Solar Community and Charging Center
Hybrid power generation system (MICROGRID)
Integrated municipal solid waste treatment and management for harnessing bio-energy and bio-fertilizer.
Explore Ocean Thermal Energy Convert in Oman.

27. Development of Database Platform & Dissemination Activities
The strategic research program aims to develop the local research capacity, build knowledge transfer, value capture and provide an enabling environment for research and innovation.
To support these objectives, the program will create a database platform that will play a significant role in providing all required weather, raw, and other geographical data as well as reports and the latest research outcomes related to the renewable energy.
The program will also work to support all researchers and related agencies to get the maximum advantages from the database services.
The database will provide services to all those conducting research and studies on renewable energy and energy efficiency in Oman.

28. Development of Database Platform & Dissemination Activities
The strategy is designed to disseminate the outcomes of the conducted research for the decision makers in government and private sectors. The outcomes of this program will also be reported for public awareness.

29. زرعوا فأكلنا ونزرع فيأكلون

30. Program Management

31. Process for Managing the Research Proposals
Evaluation Criteria
Eligibility criteria
Timing of Calls for Proposals
Strategic research grant policy guideline
Mechanism of implementations
Evaluation and assessment of project
Reporting and research outcomes

32. Budget for the database, the dissemination and awareness activates
Program Budget
Budget of the four research Themes of the Program and the capacity building
7,100,000 OMR
Operating budget
667,800 OMR
Budget for the database, the dissemination and awareness activates
95,000 OMR.
7,862,800
OMR

33. Program Budget cont,,,
90.3 % of the total budget has been allocated for financing the four research themes
and the capacity building,
8.5 % for the operating budgets
the remaining is for the database, the dissemination and awareness activates.

34. Expected Outcomes
Provide evidence-based solution to decision makers on plans related to the energy sector.
Support and assess the concerned authorities to develop the right polices and regulation which will accelerate the investment on renewable energy projects in Oman.
Capacity building of Omanis (minimum of 6 PhDs scholarships and 8 MSc + other training programs)
Establish a platform to link to databases to provide all of the required weather data, raw data, geographical data, reports and the latest research outcomes.
Establish a renewable energy center with qualified Omani capabilities in different fields of renewable energy.

35. Renewable Energy center
Program Approval
Data Base
Awareness and marketing
Renewable Energy center
Short term Plan 1-2 years
Research services
Training
Consultation
Capacity Building
Pilots projects
Long
term Plan 1-5 years

36. Thanks