• Focus Area Utilities & Renewables Utilities & Renewables
  • Type Discussion paper
  • Date 18 December 2024
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Abstract

Offshore hydrogen production from offshore wind energy is gaining global attention as an appealing solution for scaling up green hydrogen production. The technoeconomic feasibility of integrating offshore wind into hydrogen production has been explored in various regions, but no comprehensive study exists concerning Saudi Arabia’s offshore wind potential. This work aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of producing hydrogen onshore versus offshore from wind power in the Red Sea. Via the use of a deterministic cost model, this study evaluates the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) for both configurations. The results show that offshore wind farm costs and floating foundations are the major drivers of capital expenditure (CAPEX). While onshore electrolysis remains slightly less expensive than offshore electrolysis, both configurations require substantial cost reductions to compete with alternative onshore renewable energy sources.

Authors

Ahmed Al-Balawi

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

Shahid Hasan

Principal Fellow- Utilities & Renewables Prior to joining KAPSARC, Shahid was an associate director at TERI, an independent research institution working in the areas of…

Prior to joining KAPSARC, Shahid was an associate director at TERI, an independent research institution working in the areas of energy, environment and sustainable development. As part of his managerial responsibilities, he was responsible for defining, providing direction, implementing research agenda. he has immensely enjoyed working in a team, guiding and mentoring fellow colleagues. As an energy specialist with research and consulting experience, Shahid has worked on various aspects of electricity market reforms covering a range of issues around energy-economics, energy-policy/regulation, energy-markets, energy-sustainability, pricing, DSM especially related to the electricity industry in India and abroad. He has interacted widely with policymakers, regulators, utilities (public and private), multi-lateral & bi-lateral organizations, and international research institutions. He also contributed to a number of government reports aimed to facilitate transition of the energy sector. Representation as energy sector specialist in a number of national and international expert groups/task forces etc.

Expertise

  • Energy policies/regulations
  • Markets and transitions

Publications See all Shahid Hasan’s publications

Amro Elshurafa

Executive Director- Utilities & Renewables Dr. Elshurafa is the Executive Director of the Utilities and Renewables Department and possesses 20+ years of experience garnered on…

Dr. Elshurafa is the Executive Director of the Utilities and Renewables Department and possesses 20+ years of experience garnered on three continents. His research interests lie in renewable energy policy, electricity market design and regulation, and power systems modeling. He has led and executed several national modeling initiatives at distributed and utility scales. Some aspects of his research have been adopted by BP in their seminal annual Statistical Review. He is listed among the top 2% scientists globally as per Stanford, and he is a board member of the Saudi Water and Electricity Regulatory Authority. Credited with 50+ papers and patents, he holds a Ph.D. in Engineering and an MBA in Finance.

Expertise

  • Renewable Energy Policy
  • Electricity Market Design and Regulation
  • Power Sector Modeling

Publications See all Amro Elshurafa’s publications

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