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.
Fellow- Utilities & Renewables
Ahmed is a fellow in the Utilities and Renewables program at KAPSARC. He is an electrical engineer and holds an…
Ahmed is a fellow in the Utilities and Renewables program at KAPSARC. He is an electrical engineer and holds an M.Sc. degree in renewable energy systems from Loughborough University. Prior to joining KAPSARC he worked as an R&D engineer at the Saudi Electricity Company for over five years, heading the company’s research on renewables and energy storage, and working on a wide range of projects including solar power, EV charging, sorption cooling, and energy storage solutions. Ahmed’s current research focuses on power system modeling to help shape the future of the energy mix and the technologies that can contribute to achieving Saudi Arabia’s green targets.
Expertise
- Renewable Energy
- Power System Modeling
- Energy Storage and Emerging Technologies
Publications See all Ahmed Al-Balawi’s publications
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…
5th May 2024Modeling Green Hydrogen Production Using power-to-x: Saudi and German Contexts
Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) have recently gained traction and are being installed in several…
25th April 2024