Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The continuous rise of energy demand worldwide combined with the decrease of natural resources such as fossil fuel represents a huge energy problem which facing humanity. Industry as well as consumers must rethink how to produce energy at low cost price. Renewable Energy (RE) applications and energy savings are keys to meet this challenge in a sustainable way. In the hot and sunny areas of the Arab countries, renewable sources like solar energy can play a role to slove energy problem. According to that the renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic, wind, biomass, etc… have an important role especially when the (high-tech.) new technologies can interfere. This paper investigates RE sources applications at Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, besides a simulation using HOMER software to three proposed systems newly erected in Yanbu Industrial College Renewable Energy (RE) lab. The lab represents a hybrid system, composed of PV, wind turbine, and Fuel cell systems. The cost of energy is compared in the three systems to compare the generated energy cost. This study is to evaluate the actual cost of RE sources in developing countries. The climatic variations at Yanbu that is located on the west coast of Saudi Arabia are considered.