Effect of integration increasing amount of PV power into residential distribution systems in Saudi Arabia

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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ABSTRACT

Renewable energy is accepted as a key source for the future, not only for Saudi Arabia, but also for the world. Saudi Arabia has abundant potential for exploiting solar energy, which is renewable, clean, and freely available. The average annual solar radiation falling on the Arabian Peninsula is about 2200 kWh/m2. Applications of solar energy in Saudi Arabia have been growing since 1960. Solar hydrogen production plant situated at the Solar Village, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, could have been considered as the world's first 350 kW solar-powered hydrogen-generation plant at the time of its inception. The development of solar energy, however, has been relatively low due to several obstacles although utilization of solar energy in its various aspects is very attractive for the country. The main objectives of this study are to address current applications and future aspects of solar energy along with studies conducted in this field and to assess them in the light of available sustainable energy technologies towards establishing energy policies. The solar energy-related topics reviewed include various types of solar radiation correlations, exergetic solar radiation, solar collectors, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar stills, solar-powered irrigation, solar energy-related greenhouses, solar hydrogen, solar water desalination and solar energy education. Some barriers, scenarios and constraints are also covered. The utilization of solar energy could cover a significant part of the energy demand in the country. If a major breakthrough is achieved in the field of solar-energy conversion, Saudi Arabia can be a leading producer and exporter of solar energy in the form of electricity. The geographical location of the country, its widespread unused desert land, and year-round clear skies, all make it an excellent candidate for this. In this research, well also conduct a feasibility study of a wind-pv-diesel hybrid power system for a village in Saudi Arabia.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTii

DECLARATIONiii

ABSTRACTiv

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Climatic conditions in Saudi Arabia6

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW10

Introduction10

Alternative Energy13

Solar Power15

Wind Power16

Electricity20

Investments and Innovations32

Distributed generation33

Definition Of DE34

Historical Development Of DE35

DE market status39

Overview Of DE Technologies41

Engines42

Gas Turbines42

Microturbines43

Fuel Cells44

Stirling Engines44

Photovoltaics45

Wind Turbines46

Energy Storage46

Battery Storage47

Flywheel47

Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage47

Supercapacitor48

Compressed Air Energy Storage48

Hybrid Systems48

Statement of problems49

Regulation49

Background information of Saudi Arabia50

Electric power system51

Distribution system53

Mechanical systems53

Electrical systems55

Energy strategy and policy61

Past and current activities63

Present status of solar energy studies65

Solar radiation resources, global solar radiation (GSR) and sunshine duration66

Conclusion: Future appliciction67

Solar desalination67

The likelihood of penetration level70

CHAPTER 3: REVIEW OF VOLTAGE CONTROL TECHNIQUES FOR DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS INCORPORATING DISTRIBUTED GENERATION (DG)74

Introduction74

Existing voltage control techniques77

Impact of DGs on distribution networks80

Impact of DG on voltage regulation Conventional voltage control84

Voltage Control with On-Load Tap-Changer84

Impact ...