Concentrated Solar Power Energy Storage in Saudi Arabia

This report delves into the energy storage of concentrated solar power (CSP) in Saudi Arabia, addressing the research problem of sustainable energy capacity in the region. It highlights the necessity of the research, scientific gaps, and lack of knowledge in this field. The study outlines its goals and objectives, emphasizing the importance of transitioning from fuel-based energy production to renewable sources. A comprehensive literature review is presented, covering the historical context of solar energy in Saudi Arabia and the role of organizations like SASIA. The methodology involves field studies and qualitative interviews with industry professionals. The report anticipates findings related to maximizing the benefits of human development through CSP projects and offers recommendations for policymakers. The study also touches upon the technical aspects of CSP, including parabolic trough and tower systems, and the importance of thermal storage and hybridization for addressing power intermittencies. The research aims to contribute to the knowledge base on renewable energy development in Saudi Arabia's deserts and provide insights for best practices in sustainable projects.

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ENERGY STORAGE OF CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER IN SAUDI ARABIA SOLAR
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
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Table of Contents
Energy storage of concentrated solar power in Saudi Arabia solar industry association.........................3
1. Research Problem...............................................................................................................................3
1.1. The necessity of the research.........................................................................................................3
1.2. Scientific gap...................................................................................................................................4
1.3. Lack of knowledge..........................................................................................................................4
2. Goals and Objectives of the research.................................................................................................5
3. Importance of the research................................................................................................................5
4. Literature review................................................................................................................................6
5. Methodologies of research and procedure........................................................................................9
6. Limitations of research.......................................................................................................................9
7. The overall structure of the study....................................................................................................11
8. The expected findings.......................................................................................................................13
9. Discussion..........................................................................................................................................13
10. Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................15
11. Recommendation..........................................................................................................................15
References................................................................................................................................................17
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Energy storage of concentrated solar power in
Saudi Arabia solar industry association
1. Research Problem
A concentrated solar power plant is a type of regeneration where solar radiations fall on a wide
area that could extend to several square meters. Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant makes
use of mirrors in order to concentrate the energy that comes from the sun to drive engines and
turbines that will, in turn, generate electricity. This thermal energy that has been concentrated in
a Concentrated Solar Power plant could be used to generate electricity whenever it is required
either during the day or at night. The energy could also be stored for future use. Considering the
current kingdom of Saudi Arabia, innovative solar projects have indicated marvelous support for
a future that would be sustainable for those projects [1]. A non-governmental organization
referred to as the Saudi Arabia Solar Industry Association (SASIA) has been on the forefront in
shoeing dedication towards making Saudi Arabia attain the desirable massive solar potential.
This research problem, therefore, is aimed at developing a substantial energy capacity that is
required and one which has to be supported by a lot of international industries.
Figure 1An example of a Concentrated Solar Power setup
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1.1. The necessity of the research
From the human development point of view, the production of energy in most of the Saudi
Arabian deserts have not been able to depend on the predicted advantages that come as a result
of the different export revenues. This is mainly for the purpose of gaining effects of development
in the given regions. Comparison to the country precise, tailored and more famous issues,
however, have been deemed vital and necessary [2]. In order to solve the above-stated research
problem, we, therefore, apply the concept of capacity to assist in producing results for the
sustainable development.
1.2. Scientific gap
A major field of scientific research is about putting into consideration the potential creation of
benefits under an aspect of socio-economic research. The creation of benefits has been ranging
from the creation of value chain, the creation of employment opportunities as well as the
potentials of the local manufacturing markets in comparison to the complex analysis of the
effects of developments [3]. The extension also goes towards planned analysis of the criteria for
sustainability as well as the effects of sustainable human developments, access to human rights
and the subsequent effects on livelihoods. Also worth noting is that from a more theoretical
aspect, the problem is greatly required for constructive research from an angle of natural science
and feasibility.
1.3. Lack of knowledge
The lack of knowledge is seen from the point of risk perception, challenges of security as well as
international relations. By putting the focus on the institutional frameworks of the Middle
Eastern countries, we realize that there are a lot of opportunities that enable developing security
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through better cooperation regionally for the renewable types of energy. From the European
point of view though, we also get to realize that there have been a number of risks that that
regard to security and are arising from the changing four dependencies on imports from the
common resources to solar renewable resources of Saudi Arabia [4].
2. Goals and Objectives of the research
The main objectives of carrying out this research are as discussed below;
 To clearly explain the comprehensive set of aspects of capacity that configure Saudi
Arabia’s capacity in maximizing its maintainable benefits of human development in both
the local and global levels.
 The research has the purpose of creating knowledge that is based on the development
process for concentrated solar power projects as well as the intention to supply the
practical inputs for the different policy makers and planners.
3. Importance of the research
The greatest importance at Saudi Arabia in the current face of the global change greatly relies on
the transition from fuel-based energy production to the energy production that is renewable
based [5]. The economy of Saudi Arabia most importantly also needs to reach out because of the
energy demands that have already been predicted and that keeps rising. This will enable the
country to put into practice the alternative methods for safeguarding more supply of energy.
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During the process of preparing for the facilitation of Saudi Arabia’s partnership in energy by the
concentrated solar power technology, it becomes important to apply state of the art scientific
framework. The main purpose of this is to help projects avoid many famous pitfalls. The
facilitation must also include select processes of planning as well as the distribution of profit in a
path that is unidirectional [6].
Most importantly, the significance of this research is to enlarge the knowledge base on a social
dimension on the main idea which is to create renewable energy in the deserts of Saudi Arabia
[6]. Above all, proposals should also be availed by the numerous already established findings
that make an input to the code of best practice or set principles that are sustainable towards the
individual projects.
4. Literature review
Putting into consideration the storage of oil in the country of Saudi Arabia, it was found that the
main point of interest was seen to begin at the early 1960s. This origin, therefore, has been
adopted as the first solar-powered generation plant for hydrogen. Moving forward to the 1970s, it
exhibited the start of the vital efforts of research and development. This was achieved by getting
two significant global programs for joint research and development that collaborated both the
USA and Germany. A number of programs that include HYSOLAR and SOLERAS have
stepped up to be the crucial point of beginning for the concentrated solar power project within
Saudi Arabia. A study carried out by Parrado et al pointed out the systematic progress of the
renewable energy that has placed the country in the front run by R & D to the use of renewable
sources of energy and in this case, the solar energy [7].
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A lot of efforts that have been taken by the solar industry of Association of Saudi Arabia as well
as other major organizations that include Energy Research Institute (ERI) and BP Solar Arabia
limited, all of them having the initiatives from the government,\ have been intended to upsurge
public awareness on changes in climate as well as other issues that are related to the
environment. Famous scholars and authors led by Papaelias established this story during the year
2010 in their article the king Abdullah city that was in regard to KACARE or Atomic renewable
energy [8]. The main role that they were to perform was in developing both atomic and
renewable energy program within the country. They had also been working on how to enhance
the atomic and renewable energy programs. The project has still been active with the renewable
source of energy.
Oil and oil income has in the recent years been shaped and transformed to some greater degree in
the state of Saudi Arabia as well as within the economic and political systems of the country.
Two authors by the name Dunham and Iverson deliberates an acknowledgment and a popular
acceptance of a common theory referred to as the rentier state theory [9]. The theory can be used
to enlighten how the production of oil has developed specific features in a relationship between
the society and the state of Saudi. It further designates the social contract under which the nature
of Saudi Arabia political system can be used as an example. The theory can be used to foresee
how the rent from oil is used by the Saudi Arabian state in order to buy off people. Individuals or
organizations or even companies can be bought off in order to prevent them from becoming
threats to the state or even from making unsupportive remarks about the state or even leaking
some vital information to the public that may reflect the state in a negative way. This, therefore,
describes why the Saudi government should have political stability as well as acquiescence
against the distribution of the rents for oil [10].
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It is clearly evident that the adoption of concentrated solar power energy has greatly attracted a
panacea-like package solution. This, therefore, provides a potential resolution to development,
climate problems and water energy all at a glance with a market set up precondition. To begin
with, Fornarelli et al make an argument that is based on climate change [11]. The researchers
point out that considering the future supply of energy, security still remains to be considered as
the main advantage that results from the fact that the system can at times remain unchanged. The
reason behind this is that the concentrated solar power has always been delivering energy supply
that can be dispatched. Same to the traditional power stations, concentrated solar power is also
able to supply base load or balancing power [12]. Both the power systems have been using
sunshine directly during the day whereas, during the night, they have been utilizing storage
facilities for thermal energy during the night. In cases where there is a region that witnesses more
and extended durations without sunshine, the use of fossil fuel or the use of biomass can be
described as an alternative or backup for the source of heat.
In the present, one of the major technologies that have been adopted for the production of
electricity is the concentrating solar power systems. Within the concentrated solar power
systems, the parabolic trough system is the main system is largely used. The parabolic trough
systems concentrate the energy from the sun by use of long mirrors which are cylindrical in
shape and have a cross-section that is parabolic. Besides the trough systems, another that is
commonly used is the tower systems. This is a system of solar power that uses a large field of
several flat mirrors in order to concentrate the solar direct radiation into a receiver that is located
at the top of the tower. Other systems that are also being considered for use are the linear
reflectors and the parabolic dishes [13]. Ricardo and Jose discuss all these technologies in the
chapters of their publishing. They also discuss how grid parity has always been analyzed as well
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as how it is expected to be arrived at soon enough for the regions that have strong solar direct
irradiation. The authors also point out how important it is to emphasize how the thermal storage
and also the hybridization of natural gas can be added. This will practically do away with the
power intermittencies related to other technologies that are renewable [14].
5. Methodologies of research and procedure
For this ongoing case study of storage of energy in concentrated solar power, an elaborative
study has to be carried out which will conduct field study as well as the qualitative interview.
Several employees within the solar industry association sector in Saudi Arabia, (SASIA) were
the main respondents during this research [15]. They are to be approached and asked several
questions in relation to the topic of study. The employees should be questioned together with
several other famous individuals in the country of Saudi Arabia. It should also be considered that
majority of the countries located in the gulf regions, including Saudi Arabia have always been on
the forefront in presenting a challenge to the environment for the external researchers who have
been carrying out studies on several government policies. Also worth noting is that these
researchers have also been carrying out studies in a bid to seek access to several politicians and
high profile practitioners. This research can also be compared to other previous research that has
already been carried out also on the concentrated solar power systems. From the comparisons, it
is evident that the well-connected and more senior researchers have always been faced with a lot
of challenges in the process of acquiring information and access to the individuals relevant to the
research that they intend to perform interviews for [16].
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6. Limitations of research.
The main concern that arose during the study was the always changing political situations. The
political conditions of Saudi Arabia have always been changing from time with at some points
becoming very unfavorable for any kind of study to be carried out successfully [17]. The
worsening political situations make it almost impossible to approach several high profile
interviewees as well prominent politicians. Besides the worsening political conditions, issues
related to political climates such as nepotism, favoritism, and elitism could also be a determinant
to whether the research will be carried out successfully or not [18]. Showing any kind of favor
based on family relationships may be a hindrance to the required data collection during the study.
Eliciting any form of favor towards any group by either the researchers or the interviewees may
lead to the collection of unrealistic data which may, in turn, lead to unrealistic results. The lack
of required expertise from Saudi Arabia's institutional set up while focusing on the solar power
plant and the deployment and assessment as well the procedural forthcoming has resulted to
over-dependence on the foreign aid and their expertise in carrying out these types of studies.
Another limitation that results from this study is the fact that the research does not talk about the
aspects that include low energy density, intermittency the little energy density as well as the
expenses of concentrated solar power (CSP) in relation to photovoltaic(PV). Given that
concentrated solar power projects are arguably new in the country, it is a bit difficult to present a
worthy competition against all the other sources of energy like the cheaper and widely used
natural gas [19]. This kind of research also does not put into consideration the possible effects of
pollution that may be caused by the process of manufacturing. It also does not consider the
location dependency factor of the concentrated solar power project. It is also important for the
research to include the idea that the concentrated solar power project has been considered
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somehow unattractive for a good majority of the citizens of Saudi Arabia. An important factor
that could lead to achieving better results from the concentrated solar power project is based on
the known distances of transmission as well as the losses resulting from transmission [20].
7. The overall structure of the study
The overall structure of this study should be based on the foundation for renewable energy in the
country of Saudi Arabia. This research was purposefully based on these factors;
 The domestic demand for energy.
This is the main factor for consideration when carrying out the research. The study should be
based on determining the energy demands for the natives of Saudi Arabia [21]. A number of
ideas that should be put forward during the study should include the following;
 Whether the demand for energy is based on choosing on its sustainability or
economic purpose
 Changes in climate, scarcity of water as well as desalination as a point of entry
[22].
 Other reliable energy sources such as wind and solar
 The disadvantages of the already used energy sources
 The preceding developments on renewable energy in Saudi Arabia
The research should also put into consideration a number of previous studies that have already
been carried in the field of renewable energy developments in Saudi Arabia. It should also be
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able to make comparisons on what this research is intended to achieve with the previous studies
and what they achieved [23]. A number of considerations that could be made are as follows;
 The political organization and systems in Saudi Arabia.
 A detailed analysis of the multi-level point of view on the renewable policies of
energy in Saudi Arabia.
 The political systems landscape-level factors.
 The regime level factors
The study should also look into the current regime factors and how they can influence the
outcome of the study. The types of regimes that can be looked into may include the following-;
technological regime, socio-cultural regime as well as the market and user regime.
 Policy regime
Also worth considering are the policies that have been put in place that gives guidance to studies
that are carried out within the country. The policies may be related to different departments
within the country [24]. The policies may be in the following regimes-; regional-level
governance and transregional structures, science regime which may include R&D and industry
structures, strategies for technology strategies, and also the factors for niche level.
There is a proposed timeline for the general implementation of the study which must originally
govern when the project must start and when it must be completed. Estimation of the exact
stages of the study and the piloting must be determined. After that is completed, enough time is
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