Solar as an Alternative Energy in Saudi Arabi - Report Example

Alternative Energy Systems Contents Introduction 2 Solar as an alternative energy in Saudi Arabia 2 The merits of solar as an alternative source of energy 3 Challenges and opportunities of solar energy 7 Conclusion 12 References 13 Introduction 2 Solar as an alternative energy in Saudi Arabia 2 The merits of solar as an alternative source of energy 3 Challenges and opportunities of solar energy 7 Conclusion 12 References 13 Introduction There are several importance and benefits associated with an alternative energy supply across the globe. These importance range environmental benefits, sustainability of energy, security of energy as well as the economical aspect of alternative energy supply. The supply of alternative energy technologies have less environmental destruction in comparison to the technologies used in conventional energy. The supply of alternative energy is not depleted unlike other conventional sources of energy, which can be depleted due to finite hydrocarbon resources. Most investments in alternative energy supplies are spent on workmanship and materials for construction and maintenance of facilities, as opposed to being used on the importation of costly energy. Investments made on renewable energy are associated with the creation of jobs and boosting of fuel regional as well as global economies. Most alternative energy supplies are obtained either indirectly or directly from the sun. Solar energy can be put into direct use when it comes to lighting and heating (Mitra, 2009). Solar as an alternative energy in Saudi Arabia The introduction of an energy program that is capable of meeting a significant section of the growing demand in Saudi Arabia, and the development of expertise, skills and technical knowledge is facilitated using alternative sources of energy. This development results in balanced combination of technically feasible, atomic and economically viable as well as alternative energy in a sustainable manner that generates power for the future. Saudi Arabia has been able to recognize its important role as a critical supplier of global energy whilst making sure that energy security and long-term prosperity are realized. According to the economic transaction in 19th-century Saudi Arabia is well endowed with resources that are critical in ensuring the existence of a functioning economy within its region and beyond. Saudi Arabia has been able to place itself in a position whereby it does not struggle to change from leading the energy market in the 20th century to the demonstration of commitment to alternative supplies if energy in the 21st century. Solar power in Saudi Arabia has proved to be more beneficial to the economy in comparison to fossil fuels (Sarkar and Hannigan, 2015). The evidence that demonstrates the investments in alternative sources of energy in Saudi Arabia points to the global trend where the investment in renewables sources of energy went up by 18% in 2014. In this case, solar energy has been able to attract more than half of the entire funds, which were followed by close to 70% a reduction in the cost of manufacturing for about half a year. Saudi Arabia has been aiming to become one of the leading markets in terms alternative sources of energy. According to Ferreira (2013), this kind of aim is expected to involve a huge investment, which is estimated to be close to a budget of $109 billion. By the year 2030, Saudi Arabia as a country is expected to strive toward the generation that would meet an alternative energy demand of over 50 GW. The solar energy initiative in which is part of the alternative energy program in Saudi Arabia is a clear indicator of the on-going energy programs around the globe. As prices reduce, several parts of Saudi Arabia should experience internal rates that are compelling in relation to return in solar. Further, the reduction in price brings bout an exponential increase in demand for solar. The dynamism of Saudi Arabia in dealing with high rates of demand for alternative sources of energy increases and the utilization of environmentally friendly and affordable energy. According to the estimations by the government, the expected demand for power in Saudi Arabia will be going above 125 GW by 2030. Unless alternative sources of energy and measures necessary in conservation of energy are observed to the latter, the total demands for power, transportation and other industries. The merits of solar as an alternative source of energy Considering the merits of the introduction and use of solar energy in Saudi Arabia is that solar power plays an important role in reducing global warming and its impacts. Global warming is a serious threat, the survival of people, as well as the survival of several other living things across the globe. Due to the developments achieved through technological advancement, there are efficient systems of solar panel that are able to produce electricity without causing the pollution associated with global warming. Solar power has proved to be one of the most significant ways of dealing with a crisis of global warming (Mitra, 2009). Solar power helps the Saudi Arabian economy and society to save a significant amount of money in a power generation and environmental control. Several stations have been developed across Saudi Arabia that are at various stages of production. The sites as indicated in the figure below illustrates the macro-scaling that has been identified so that infrastructure building can start. Before there is a threat to the society in relation to the existence of global warming and its effect on environmental conservation, global warming is believed to cost the society a huge amount of money, which could be used to facilitate other meaningful projects. The adoption of solar power plays an important role in averting the societal suicide and the same time it leads to the saving of a significant amount of money. Figure 1: Generation of solar power The installation of solar (PV) a photovoltaic panel in settlements and several other places has been proven to save the residents from incurring regular costs. However, it is important to note that this kind of saving can only be realized through appropriate choices of house design and proper planning. The use of solar power as an alternative source of energy in Saudi Arabia increase energy reliability. This is because there is an extreme consistency in relation to the rising and setting of the sun. Across the globe, there is an exact knowledge about the time of the year and the day when the sun raises. Whereas there may be leas predictability in relation to clouds, there are good daily and seasonal projections concerning the extent of sunlight that will is expected to be received in various zones across the globe. Thus, solar power is one of the alternative energy sources that have extreme reliability (Sayigh, 2000). Figure 2: Time and date of Sunrise and Sunset. The adoption of solar power usage in Saudi Arabia is one way of offering energy security. This is because other than the benefits associated with its reliability; solar energy cannot be monopolized or made to be extremely expensive and unaffordable. Considering the simplicity of solar equipment, there is a significant solar power benefit offered through the existence of energy security. The use of solar power is able to create a situation where there is considerable energy independence. This makes it difficult for people to monopolize the solar heat, which is used to power the solar panels since the sun is freely available for use by all. Once the installation of solar panels has been done where it is applicable, there is an independent source of electricity, which is created. This kind of alternative sources of energy is an important substitute to individuals, cities as well as companies in Saudi Arabia. There are also jobs whose creation is attributable to the adoption of solar power as an alternative energy source since there are considerable investments made in solar power (Pimentel, 2008). Challenges and opportunities of solar energy Saudi Arabia is one of the countries with the highest resources of (DNI) direct normal irradiation across the globe. In this case, Saudi Arabia is capable of initiating significant plans associated with the deployment of (CSP) concentrated solar power as well as (PV) photovoltaic as a way of harvesting the available direct normal irradiation to offer alternative energy which is clean, renewable and sustainable. The use of solar energy in Saudi Arabia as an alternative energy sources plays a significant role in ensuring the conservation of hydrocarbon whose consumption is currently happening at a significant rate and quantity. A combination of high (DNI) direct normal irradiation resources with high ambient temperatures experienced during summertime is the representation of a key technical challenge for efficiency for the operation and efficiency of PV systems since their functionality is adversely affected at high temperatures. Such challenges necessitate the introduction of cooling mechanisms with the suitability for the environment in this region. Conversely, direct normal irradiation resources are more favourable when it comes to concentrated solar power systems (Keyhani, 2011). Figure 3: Solar irradiance summary by station (Oct 1, 2013–Sept 30, 2014). Figure 3: Summary of solar irradiance components over 1 year. In Saudi Arabia, concentrated solar power resources are useful in direct thermal applications as well as the generation of electric power. There are two possible cases use of solar power for the generation of power in Saudi Arabia. One of them is a large plant that uses, water and (co-generation) power production through a small plant having just the production of water. The utilization of thermal energy from solar desalination of water and the analysis of estimated cost is an important consideration. There are possibilities of integration of alternative energy sources with desalination exists in Saudi Arabia, including other renewable sources such as biomass, geothermal and wing. A demonstration of one of these cases indicates the production of power and water (co-generation) at a large scale through a dual-purpose plant (Quaschning, 2005). Figure 4: An illustration of co-generation plant configuration The transfer of heat from the solar field takes place before being used in running turbines to generate electricity. The heat that comes out of the system of turbines as waste finds its way to a unit that is specifically meant for multi affect distillation of and desalination of water. Saudi Arabia is one of the leading oil producers in the world. There is also a high potential for alternative sources of energy with a keen focus and interest in the exploitation and development of technologies that utilize an alternative source of energy such as solar energy. Some of the most readily available and natural alternative sources of energy include solar and wind (Taher and Hajjar, 2014). The requirement of energy in the earth’s solar radiation and wind in Saudi Arabia is critical in contributing to the supply of energy in the country. Thus, it is important to explore means through which the utilization of this power can be achieved for domestic use as well as exportation. It is easy to identify the environmental merits associated with the utilization of the renewable and alternative sources of energy, but it also important to recognize the demerits of such forms of energy sources. One of the demerits and challenges associated with the adoption of alternative forms of energy such as solar energy in Saudi Arabia is the difficulty in generating large quantities of electricity for both domestic and industrial consumption. This inability is an indication that the adoption of the usage of alternative sources of energy might require the construction of more energy facilities or even a reduction for energy requirement. It is also an indication that it is important to have a balance of a variety of different sources that are capable of providing solutions to energy problems (Int'l Business Publications, 2015). Another challenge of the alternative sources of energy is related to the reliability of its supply. Alternative sources of energy often rely on the weather for their sources of power. Hydropower generators require rain to fill dams that are then used in supplying flowing water for the driving of turbines. Wind turbines require the existence of wind to move the blades, and solar collectors require sunshine and clear skies in the collection of heat and production of electricity. When such resources that are responsible for the production of alternative energy sources are not available, there is a significant reduction in energy production and efficiency. This kind of a situation could bring about inconsistencies and unpredictability can be unpredictable and inconsistent. The cost of technologies used in alternative sources of energy currently is high in comparison to those required in the generation of power through the traditional fossil fuel mechanisms (Kalogirou, 2006). Conclusion In conclusion, alternative energy sources supply in Saudi Arabia could be expected to play a critical role in offering realistic solutions to the challenges and problems that are currently facing use fossil sources of energy. It is clear that renewable energy technologies are important in integrating the alternative sources into an electric power network. The use of solar power in Saudi Arabia as one of the alternative energy sources could be considered an important step towards the reduction of its independence on energy from fossil sources. References 1. Anwar, S., Efstathiadis, H., & Qazi, S. (2013). Handbook of research on solar energy systems and technologies. Hershey PA, Engineering Science Reference. 2. Bahgat, G. (2013). Alternative energy in the Middle East. 3. 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