Thesis
Modelling of the Saudi Arabia energy system with the future 100% renewable energy systems scenarios for power supply for all sectors coupled with transport sector electrification
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2025
- Thesis identifier
- T17241
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201991790
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- Saudi Arabia depends on fossil fuels for its energy production. Oil and natural gas are the primary natural resources used. In 2018, the total CO2 emissions were 491.7 Mt, which indicates that Saudi Arabia is one of the top CO2-emitting countries in the world. This work investigated possible pathways to 100% renewable energy supply by 2050 for the power from entire sectors with transport electrification. Three main gaps were identified: lack of a comprehensive dataset representing the current energy system, a validated hourly model, and a modelling study exploring 100% renewable options. To address these gaps, research was divided into two parts. First, comprehensive data gathering, review, and analysis were carried out for all energy sectors in the Kingdom. In this part, data collection and calculations were carried out for each sector in the Kingdom, providing the correct and validated information. In addition, the dataset was used to create a comprehensive energy balance block diagram of the entire Kingdom’s sectors. A comprehensive review and dataset were conducted to fix the lack of data and clarity in several parts of the Saudi energy system. Then, in the second part, the new data set created was used to inform and validate the energy model of Saudi Arabia, allowing future scenarios in 2050 to be assessed from technical and economic perspectives. After the energy model was created and validated with actual data, 100% RES using solar photovoltaic, wind, and battery storage was investigated for power from all sectors. First, each RES technology was studied and simulated solely and assessed from a technical and economic perspective with limitations. Then, different combinations of RES are evaluated based on the same criteria and selected based on the limitations of the previous system in a series of gradual, cumulative improvements to reach the final optimal system. The renewable energy systems are compared and evaluated, and the final optimal system is identified. A green hydrogen power plant was created as a backup system to work in case any shortage occurs due to unusual events and changes in 2050. The backup system used green hydrogen, which was 100% generated from the surplus power of the renewable energy system through electrolysers. The passenger vehicle fleet of the transport sector in the Kingdom was 100% electrified using the surplus power generated from the renewable energy system in 2050. It was found that the combination of photovoltaics located in the Tabuk region, wind turbines located in NEOM city, and battery storage in addition to a green hydrogen backup plant was the optimal solution to supply the entire Kingdom power in 2050, technically and economically. In addition, carbon dioxide emissions were reduced by 60% in 2050 in the Kingdom with the renewable energy systems scenario compared to the same year in the business-as-usual scenario. Finally, the results are discussed, and the conclusion is carried out. The limitations of this work, future work, and recommendations were identified. The contributions of the work in directly addressing the identified gaps are discussed.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Tuohy, Paul
- Resource Type
- DOI
- Date Created
- 2024
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