Turki Al-Aqeel, PhD, MBA

Today, there is a physical exchange of electricity between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. However, this is not the same as competitive trade in electricity. Numerous studies have shown the efficiency benefits of electricity trade among GCC countries. These studies inevitably make simplifying assumptions about several complex issues in the power sector of these countries to focus on the economic gains of trade. However, issues such as the availability of transparent information so… عرض المزيد

Today, there is a physical exchange of electricity between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. However, this is not the same as competitive trade in electricity. Numerous studies have shown the efficiency benefits of electricity trade among GCC countries. These studies inevitably make simplifying assumptions about several complex issues in the power sector of these countries to focus on the economic gains of trade. However, issues such as the availability of transparent information so that participants can trade, transmission access and pricing, the level of competition in the wholesale electricity market, the coordination of system operations, and the harmonization of power sector structures and market rules are all very important. عرض أقل

According to NASA, the world is getting warmer. Warmer weather increases the demand for cooling, which subsequently increases the demand for electricity. Is Saudi Arabia getting warmer? And how might this impact the demand for electricity in the Kingdom? To answer these questions, KAPSARC examined temperature data1 for 13 cities spread across Saudi Arabia over 29 years (from 1990 to 2018). The cities included Riyadh, Jeddah, Dhahran, Madinah, Arar, Sakaka, Tabuk, Hail, Buraydah, Albaha, Abha… عرض المزيد

According to NASA, the world is getting warmer. Warmer weather increases the demand for cooling, which subsequently increases the demand for electricity. Is Saudi Arabia getting warmer? And how might this impact the demand for electricity in the Kingdom? To answer these questions, KAPSARC examined temperature data1 for 13 cities spread across Saudi Arabia over 29 years (from 1990 to 2018). The cities included Riyadh, Jeddah, Dhahran, Madinah, Arar, Sakaka, Tabuk, Hail, Buraydah, Albaha, Abha, Jazan, and Najran. عرض أقل

Chile was the first country to reform its electricity sector. The reform program was first mooted when Chile’s National Energy Commission was established in 1978; it took off with the enactment of the country’s Electricity Sector Law in 1982. This law is still cited as landmark legislation in the electricity industry. Since then, many countries have implemented reforms to revamp their electricity sectors, such as the unbundling, privatization and independent regulation in England and Wales in… عرض المزيد

Chile was the first country to reform its electricity sector. The reform program was first mooted when Chile’s National Energy Commission was established in 1978; it took off with the enactment of the country’s Electricity Sector Law in 1982. This law is still cited as landmark legislation in the electricity industry. Since then, many countries have implemented reforms to revamp their electricity sectors, such as the unbundling, privatization and independent regulation in England and Wales in 1989. عرض أقل

The study proposes an economic framework based on detailed cost-benefit analysis of the insertion of Smart Grid technologies for electricity infrastructure modernization. The framework maps Smart Grid assets to their functions and benefits to estimate the feasibility of each Smart Grid technology and infrastructure. Net present value and discounted cash flow models, benefit/cost ratio, and minimum total cost are included in the analysis. The framework is applied to the Saudi electricity… عرض المزيد

The study proposes an economic framework based on detailed cost-benefit analysis of the insertion of Smart Grid technologies for electricity infrastructure modernization. The framework maps Smart Grid assets to their functions and benefits to estimate the feasibility of each Smart Grid technology and infrastructure. Net present value and discounted cash flow models, benefit/cost ratio, and minimum total cost are included in the analysis. The framework is applied to the Saudi electricity infrastructure as a case study. The framework is a comprehensive approach for economic analysis adapted from the EPRI Smart Grid model, the NETL modern grid initiative, and a study conducted by CESI and A.T. Kearney to estimate the impact of smart meters and smart equipment on the Saudi electric grid. Our findings show that advanced asset management infrastructure technologies are the most profitable technologies for the Saudi electricity infrastructure, followed by advanced distribution operations technologies, advanced transmission operations technologies, and advanced metering infrastructure technologies. عرض أقل

This discussion paper is part of a KAPSARC research project initiated to develop insights that can facilitate the creation of a well-functioning integrated electricity market comprising the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The project identifies and examines the key issues affecting electricity market integration within the GCC and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and suggests the enablers needed to facilitate market integration.
This report focuses on… عرض المزيد

This discussion paper is part of a KAPSARC research project initiated to develop insights that can facilitate the creation of a well-functioning integrated electricity market comprising the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The project identifies and examines the key issues affecting electricity market integration within the GCC and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and suggests the enablers needed to facilitate market integration.
This report focuses on Oman’s electricity sector, the liberalization of which started in 2004. The country’s power reforms are now poised to move to the next level, with the aim of creating a more competitive electricity industry in the Sultanate. عرض أقل

Renewable energy has gained importance and is changing the face of energy business. Introduction of community-based off-grid renewable electricity in developing countries is desirable from the viewpoint of fostering inclusive growth. Southeast Asia provides an ideal ground for demonstration, since the region is endowed with abundant renewable resources as well as a significant need for off-grid electricity. Identified impediments include inadequacies in accumulation of relevant data, management… عرض المزيد

Renewable energy has gained importance and is changing the face of energy business. Introduction of community-based off-grid renewable electricity in developing countries is desirable from the viewpoint of fostering inclusive growth. Southeast Asia provides an ideal ground for demonstration, since the region is endowed with abundant renewable resources as well as a significant need for off-grid electricity. Identified impediments include inadequacies in accumulation of relevant data, management skills, financing and harmonization. Assistance by governments and international institutions such as development banks, coupled with utilizing private sector skills on energy management and novel financing methods are the keys to overcoming them عرض أقل

The paper is part of a KAPSARC research project to develop insights that can facilitate the creation of a well-functioning integrated electricity market among members of the GCC and wider Middle East and North Africa region and to suggest potential enablers that could help to fill existing knowledge gaps for policymakers in the region and to facilitate ongoing efforts toward regional electricity market integration.

Uncertainty is an inherent feature in grid modernization planning decisions. The paper presents a decision analysis framework to integrate Smart Grid technologies and applications for the modernization of the Saudi electricity infrastructure. The analysis applies a fuzzy set theory accompanied by the Analytic Hierarchy Process. Imprecision in decision making – particularly those arising from human subjectivity in input – is explicitly modeled using fuzzy sets. This paper demonstrates the use of… عرض المزيد

Uncertainty is an inherent feature in grid modernization planning decisions. The paper presents a decision analysis framework to integrate Smart Grid technologies and applications for the modernization of the Saudi electricity infrastructure. The analysis applies a fuzzy set theory accompanied by the Analytic Hierarchy Process. Imprecision in decision making – particularly those arising from human subjectivity in input – is explicitly modeled using fuzzy sets. This paper demonstrates the use of triangular fuzzy numbers to model uncertainty in planning decisions. The Saudi electricity infrastructure aims at meeting certain goals stated in the Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program. We propose an algorithm for prioritizing candidate Smart Grid technologies for grid modernization. This is intended as a tool for charting a transitional modernization plan for policy makers and for meeting specific targets in the transformation program. عرض أقل

The paper discusses the impact of air conditioning motor stalling in the Saudi electric grid. Slow voltage recovery after fault events is a result of high concentration of prone-to-stall motors in the grid. Multiple mitigation solutions are discussed from technical, regulatory, economic and planning perspectives.

The paper presents a decision analysis framework to integrate Smart Grid technologies (SGTs) and applications for the modernization of the Saudi electricity infrastructure. The analysis applies Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach. The resulting analysis provides researchers and decision makers with the priorities of SGTs to meet specific attributes and achieve the objectives of modernizing the Saudi grid system. These objectives are stated in the Saudi National Transformation Program.

The paper presents an optimization model for the deregulation of a vertically integrated electricity market. The model considers an ex ante setup. Cost-Benefit Analysis is implemented to assess the worthiness of market deregulation by calculating the change in global welfare. The model is demonstrated on the Saudi electricity market.

The paper examines some prospect scenarios for modernization of the electric grid system in Saudi Arabia. Considerations with respect to two dimensions - deregulation of electricity market and the implementation of Smart Grid technologies - are included. The paper investigates the benefits, cost, and risks associated with each scenario.