Adding Photovoltaics to the Saudi Power System: What are the Costs of Intermittency?

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Abstract

Intermittent generation from wind or photovoltaics (PV) imposes a cost on the power systems in which they are deployed. These costs vary regionally due to different fuel costs and ramping flexibility of existing grid capacities. With 2015 as a reference year, we examine the costs of PV intermittency and costs of integration to power utilities in Saudi Arabia, using a least-cost approach for the power utilities. The operational facets of PV integration to grid operators will be more pronounced with higher PV penetration, so, to focus on system operation, we exclude the capital costs. The excess of the price paid to new PV generators over the current average consumer tariff would also have to be covered by the utility, and will depend on the details of the power purchase contracts.

Authors

Amro Elshurafa

Amro Elshurafa

Research Fellow Amro is a research fellow at KAPSARC, with nearly 20 years of experience in the fields of energy and technology… Amro is a research fellow at KAPSARC, with nearly 20 years of experience in the fields of energy and technology in three continents. His research interests lie in renewable energy policy, power systems modeling, and hybrid microgrid design and optimization. He has led and executed several national modeling initiatives both on the distributed and utility scale. Credited with 40+ papers and several patents, Amro holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and an MBA in finance.

Expertise

  • Power System Modeling
  • Renewable Energy Policy
  • Hybrid Microgrid Design and Optimization and Distribution Generation

Publications See all Amro Elshurafa’s publications

Walid Matar

Walid Matar

Research Fellow Walid works on developing energy system models. He developed the following components of the KAPSARC Energy Model (KEM): electric power… Walid works on developing energy system models. He developed the following components of the KAPSARC Energy Model (KEM): electric power generation, electricity transmission, oil refining, petrochemicals and fertilizers, and cement production. He is currently working on a bottom-up residential electricity use framework that merges microeconomics with the physical laws governing electricity use.

Expertise

  • Modeling energy systems
  • Electricity Prices
  • Energy Efficiency and The Interdisciplinary Connection Between Energy Economics and Engineering

Publications See all Walid Matar’s publications

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