Felder, Frank

  • Primary Program Utilities & Renewables
  • Research Interests Energy Policy, Electricity Restructuring and Energy Modeling

Biography

Frank is an engineer, energy policy analyst, and was a visiting researcher at KAPSARC. Prior to joining KAPSARC, Frank was a Research Professor at the School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, Director of the Rutgers Energy Institute, and Director of the Center for Energy, Economics and Environmental Policy. In those roles, he conducted original and applied research in the areas of electric power system modeling, clean energy policies, and climate change for academic foundations, government agencies, and energy utilities. He has also worked as an economic consultant and nuclear engineer.

Publications

See all Frank’s publications
  • Discussion papers
  • Conference papers
  • Instant Insights
  • Commentaries
  • KAPSARC journal articles
Are There Adequate Materials and Land Resources for the Saudi Power Sector to Achieve Net Zero by 2060?

Are There Adequate Materials and Land Resources for the Saudi Power Sector to Achieve Net Zero by 2060?

Saudi Arabia has committed to net-zero (NZ) greenhouse gas emissions by 2060. This requires substantial emission reductions across key sectors, including the power generation sector. We assess the technological options, critical mineral requirements, renewable energy resource requirements, and costs associated with transforming the Saudi power sector to NZ by 2060. We incorporate global critical mineral constraints scaled down to Saudi Arabia, country land use, and renewable energy resource limitations.

27th April 2025
An Emerging Framework for the Probabilistic Cost- Benefit Analysis of the Reliability, Resiliency, and Adaptability of Electric Power Systems

An Emerging Framework for the Probabilistic Cost- Benefit Analysis of the Reliability, Resiliency, and Adaptability of Electric Power Systems

Probabilistic cost-benefit analyses of the reliability, resiliency, and adaptability of electric power systems can inform policymakers on how to efficiently reduce the frequency, magnitude, duration, and costs of power outages; how to cost-effectively improve the integration of variable and intermittent renewables; and how to enhance equitable outcomes. The elements needed for these analyses are available, and the computations are reasonably tractable due to the rapid improvements in the computational ability to conduct tens of thousands of detailed power system simulations quickly.

7th July 2024
How Can Bilateral Contracts Support Electricity Trade? A Regional Electricity Model Perspective for the GCC Plus Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq

How Can Bilateral Contracts Support Electricity Trade? A Regional Electricity Model Perspective for the GCC Plus Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq

Cross-border electricity trading in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) can provide cost and environmental benefits. However, for historical reasons, electricity trading has not reached a mature stage in this region. Based on a bespoke economic dispatch model for the 2030 horizon, this paper investigates the cost and emission implications of electricity trade in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries plus Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq.

11th June 2024
Assessment of the Potential of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines in the Red Sea

Assessment of the Potential of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines in the Red Sea

Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) have recently gained traction and are being installed in several regions of Europe and Asia. These turbines use the same technology as typical offshore wind turbines but are not directly anchored to the seabed. Instead, they are tethered with mooring lines and can float in the water within a predefined range of movement. This feature could enable development opportunities in areas with a water depth greater than 60 meters (i.e., the limit of current seabed-anchored offshore wind turbines). One of the main obstacles in developing offshore wind turbines in the Red Sea is the water depth, which is greater than 60 meters. Hence, FOWTs are a viable option.

5th May 2024
Finding Opportunity in Economic Dispatch: Saving Fuels Without Impacting Retail Electricity Prices

Finding Opportunity in Economic Dispatch: Saving Fuels Without Impacting Retail Electricity Prices

For important domestic public policy reasons, many oil- and natural-gas-producing countries allocate fuels to their electricity sector at administratively set prices that are below fuel opportunity costs. This article shows that dispatching power units based on fuel opportunity costs can significantly increase efficiency, while, for political reasons, end users’ electricity prices can continue to be defined based on administratively set fuel prices. In addition, opportunity cost dispatch can bring about environmental benefits when it results in switching the priority levels of oil and gas units in the merit order. This work also resolves the electricity trading dilemma since countries do not want to export electricity based on domestic prices.

17th March 2024
How Can the European Energy Crisis Reshape the Power Sector Reform Endeavors of GCC Countries?

How Can the European Energy Crisis Reshape the Power Sector Reform Endeavors of GCC Countries?

Energy prices in Europe have been soaring, and policymakers are trying to find solutions to immediately contain the energy prices for end-consumers and to enhance the market design in the longer term. This paper discusses some of the current events that are facing the power sector in Europe and some challenges that may face the industry more generally in the future. Then, we propose policy recommendations in the context of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries by contrasting the power sector design in place in this region with that in the European region.

24th October 2023
How Firm Capacity and Forced Outage Rate Assumptions of Renewables Impact Capacity Expansion Model Results

How Firm Capacity and Forced Outage Rate Assumptions of Renewables Impact Capacity Expansion Model Results

The undergoing energy transition relies heavily on the deployment of renewables such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power for the generation of electricity. These variable and intermittent resources would modify power systems’ reliability compared to the situation where electricity is generated by conventional dispatchable power plants. It is also important to accurately capture their contribution to resource adequacy in long-term expansion planning. This discussion paper assesses how varying the firm capacity (FC) and forced outage rate (FOR) assumptions of renewable energy (RE) impact capacity expansion models (CEM). Eight scenarios that vary the FC and FOR, RE share targets, and annual RE uptake were run on a power system model of Saudi Arabia. Assuming a relatively high FC and a relatively low FOR favors renewables (i.e., Optimistic-RE), while the opposite disfavors them (i.e., Pessimistic-RE). Compared with optimistic RE assumptions, the pessimistic RE assumptions result in significant increases in costs, emissions, and battery storage deployment of up to 11%, 17%, and 41%, respectively. However, no observable patterns were found for resource adequacy. Quantifying the extent to which FC and FOR of RE technologies, which are considered heavily weather-dependent, impact investments in the power sector provides valuable insights for policymakers as the world moves forward more aggressively with RE deployment to reduce emissions and combat climate change.

9th March 2023
Cost, Footprint, and Reliability Implications of Deploying Hydrogen in Off-grid Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: A GIS-assisted Study for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Cost, Footprint, and Reliability Implications of Deploying Hydrogen in Off-grid Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: A GIS-assisted Study for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

We quantify the cost, footprint and reliability implications of using hydrogen in off-grid electric vehicle charging stations (CS) using an optimization model coupled with a geographical information system (GIS) analysis for the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We also account for the challenges associated with wind energy deployment as a generation technology for CS within city centers.

29th January 2023
Cost, Emission, and Macroeconomic Implications of Diesel Displacement in the Saudi Agricultural Sector: Options and Policy Insights

Cost, Emission, and Macroeconomic Implications of Diesel Displacement in the Saudi Agricultural Sector: Options and Policy Insights

The Saudi agricultural sector relies on diesel for irrigation, which is provided to farmers at a much lower price than the average global price, implying significant opportunity costs. With the aid of soft-coupled power and macro-econometric models, we assess the cost and macroeconomic implications of electrifying irrigation activities in the Saudi agricultural sector. Three electrification scenarios are considered: electrifying each individual farm with a dedicated hybrid renewable micro-grid, electrifying the entire farm cluster with central generation and connecting the entire cluster via transmission to the national grid. Compared with the base-case, connecting the farm cluster to the national grid is found to be the most economical but the least environmentally friendly. The renewable and central generation scenarios are costlier (compared with the transmission scenario) due, respectively, to the high battery costs and gas infrastructure needed.

24th August 2022
One Year After the Texas Blackout: Lessons for Reliable and Resilient Power Systems

One Year After the Texas Blackout: Lessons for Reliable and Resilient Power Systems

In February 2021, Texas experienced an extreme cold snap causing a dramatic electricity blackout that left millions of households without electricity, resulting in over 200 fatalities and economic damages of approximately $100 billion. The Texas blackout has been used to support a variety of claims regarding renewable energy, electricity markets and climate change. We identify the blackout’s drivers and what has been learned since then. These lessons apply to power systems worldwide, including those of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the broader Middle East and North Africa region.

14th June 2022
Cross-seasonal Fuel Savings from Load Shifting in the Saudi Industrial Sector

Cross-seasonal Fuel Savings from Load Shifting in the Saudi Industrial Sector

Load shifting, that is, moving demand from peak to off-peak hours, is an important type of demand response. It can reduce the overall operating costs of a power system and improve the reliability of the power grid. This study estimates the financial implications of load shifting in the Saudi industrial sector. We use a national Saudi power system dispatch optimization model to simulate three scenarios. With this model, we quantify the impacts of shifting industrial loads from the peak summer to the off-peak winter months, keeping industrial electricity tariffs unchanged.    

11th April 2022
Achieving Renewable Energy Targets Without Compromising the Power Sector’s Reliability

Achieving Renewable Energy Targets Without Compromising the Power Sector’s Reliability

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy has set ambitious renewable energy goals. Although the Kingdom’s current energy mix is dominated by conventional energy (>95%), it aims to draw 50% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. Currently, the Kingdom enjoys very high solar photovoltaic potential, and it is also well positioned for wind generation. Thus, studying the reliability of highly renewable power systems and the impact of converting conventional generation to renewable energy is of paramount importance. The latter analysis is important because temperatures in the Kingdom are often high for a considerable portion of the year.

22nd March 2022
Renewables, Reliability and Efficiency in Electricity Markets

Renewables, Reliability and Efficiency in Electricity Markets

The choice to use electricity markets to transition to an ultra-high renewable electricity sector depends on whether a high level of reliability and efficiency can be achieved. This study presents a reliability, resiliency and adaptability policy framework for a liberalized power system with a high share of renewables. This framework provides policy insights regarding electricity market reliability and the implications of remuneration mechanisms for renewables. Our analysis shows that it is necessary to reconsider adequacy assessments of liberalized power systems, to enhance the definition of the loss of load probability, and to explicitly consider the probability that the market clears. Under these conditions, electricity markets can theoretically achieve reliability and efficiency with large percentages of variable and intermittent renewable resources with zero or near-zero marginal costs, and market and technical challenges can be addressed.  

29th December 2021
How Can Energy Storage Catalyze the Electricity Policies of Gulf Cooperation Council Members? Issues and Options

How Can Energy Storage Catalyze the Electricity Policies of Gulf Cooperation Council Members? Issues and Options

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members are working in parallel to reform their electricity markets and achieve ambitious renewable energy deployment goals. The motivation for this agenda is multifaceted, and increasing economic efficiency is one of several reasons for these efforts. By introducing markets in the power sector (i.e., liberalizing this sector), these countries aim to reduce the sector’s reliance on the public budget.

27th September 2021
One Year After the Texas Blackout: Lessons for Reliable and Resilient Power Systems

One Year After the Texas Blackout: Lessons for Reliable and Resilient Power Systems

In February 2021, Texas experienced an extreme cold snap causing a dramatic electricity blackout that left millions of households without electricity, resulting in over two hundred fatalities and economic damages of approximately $100 billion. The Texas blackout has been used to support a variety of claims regarding renewable energy, electricity markets and climate change. We identify the blackout’s drivers and what has been learned since then. These lessons apply to power systems worldwide, including those of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the broader Middle East and North Africa region.   Read more here

10th August 2023
How Firm Capacity and Forced Outage Rate Assumptions of Renewables Impact Capacity Expansion Model Results

How Firm Capacity and Forced Outage Rate Assumptions of Renewables Impact Capacity Expansion Model Results

We assess how varying the firm capacity (FC) and forced outage rate (FOR) assumptions of renewable energy (RE) resources impact capacity expansion models (CEM). Eight scenarios that vary the FC and FOR, RE share targets, and annual RE uptake were run on a power system model of Saudi Arabia. Assuming a relatively high FC and relatively low FOR favors renewables (i.e., Optimistic-RE), while the opposite disfavors them (i.e., Pessimistic-RE). Compared with optimistic RE assumptions, the pessimistic RE assumptions result in significant increases reaching up to 11%, 17%, and 41% in costs, emissions, and battery storage deployment, respectively. However, no observable patterns were found in terms of resource adequacy. Quantifying the extent to which FC and FOR of RE technologies, which are considered heavily weather-dependent, impact investments in the power sector provides valuable insights for policymakers as the world moves forward more aggressively with RE deployment to reduce emissions and combat climate change.   Read more here

10th August 2023
Lessons From the European Electricity Crisis

Lessons From the European Electricity Crisis

On January 23, 2023, the European Commission initiated a public consultation to reform the European Union’s electricity market (European Commission 2023) on the heels of extremely high wholesale electricity prices in Europe in the last months and days of 2022. Negative spot prices, however, were recorded in a large number of European countries on January 1, 2023, including Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany and the United Kingdom. Despite the large variety in how power systems are organized worldwide, from fully integrated monopolies to liberalized systems, all countries can learn from Europe’s experience. In Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, liberalization and markets are being introduced progressively, and it is an opportune time to learn from experiences abroad.

20th February 2023
What Texas Tells Us About Lessening the Frequency and Severity of Electricity Blackouts?

What Texas Tells Us About Lessening the Frequency and Severity of Electricity Blackouts?

On Monday, February 12, approximately three million homes and businesses in Texas lost power due to an unusual winter storm that simultaneously increased electricity demand and decreased supply. This was not the first time; Texas had a similar incident due to cold weather in 2011. Severe weather is a frequent cause of large-scale blackouts. For instance, in 2012, the Northeastern region of the United States suffered extensive power outages due to Hurricane Sandy. The hurricane toppled many distribution lines, resulting in several million residents not having electricity for up to two weeks.        

28th February 2021
Recent Developments and Trends in Cybersecurity in the Power Sector

Recent Developments and Trends in Cybersecurity in the Power Sector

The power sector is a crucial component of critical national infrastructure, and its continuous and resilient operation underpins the socioeconomic prosperity of any nation. Energy security is a priority in many regions of the world, as it is essential for economic growth and prosperity.

26th October 2023
Modeling of the Interconnected Middle East and North Africa Electricity System: Including Uncertainties to Better Inform Policymakers

Modeling of the Interconnected Middle East and North Africa Electricity System: Including Uncertainties to Better Inform Policymakers

The modeling of power systems can bring about insightful quantitative results to inform policymakers. This commentary reviews the literature on modeling the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s electricity interconnections and trade in the context of expanding variable and intermittent renewable resources such as wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) resources, evolving market and regulatory structures, and power system modeling advances and trends. This stream of literature can be enhanced by formally incorporating uncertainties to provide enhanced models with which to better inform policymakers.

26th September 2023
An Overview of Integration Costs of Variable Renewables in the Power Sector

An Overview of Integration Costs of Variable Renewables in the Power Sector

In recent years, the cost of electricity generated by renewables has significantly decreased to the point where it is cost competitive with conventional plants. However, incorporating variable renewable energy (VRE) technologies like wind and solar photovoltaics (PV) into the power system creates intermittency. By adding intermittent sources of generation, demand and supply will not always match.

4th September 2023
What Innovations Are Chinese Electricity Startups Pursuing?

What Innovations Are Chinese Electricity Startups Pursuing?

We provide a snapshot of the innovations that Chinese electricity startups are pursuing and compare them with the innovation efforts of their worldwide and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) counterparts. We contrast types of innovation, technological domains and focuses on megatrends within the industry.

13th June 2023
Innovation by Gulf Cooperation Council Electricity Startups: A Global Comparison

Innovation by Gulf Cooperation Council Electricity Startups: A Global Comparison

The electric power sector is the cornerstone for achieving the energy transition goals of economic progress, energy security and environmental improvements. Substantial and timely innovations are necessary to accomplish these goals. In this commentary, we investigate innovations in the electric power sector by startups in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. We compare their innovations to those of their worldwide counterparts.

28th February 2023
Climate and Power System Reliability in the Aftermath of the Texas Blackouts

Climate and Power System Reliability in the Aftermath of the Texas Blackouts

The February 2021 blackout in Texas underscored the importance of reliable and resilient power systems. In this commentary, we discuss the roles of regulators, markets, fuel and generation supply chains, and interdependent infrastructures, and finds that they need to be reconsidered and redefined to successfully meet the future challenges of increased electrification and severe weather.

25th August 2021

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