Emerging renewable trends in Oman, Policies and Opportunities
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A lecture was organized by the Research and Consultancy Committee of the Engineering Department on “Emerging renewable trends in Oman, Policies and Opportunities". It was held on 27 February 2018, from 10.30am to 11.30am.
Er SMS Louis, CEO of Al-Kiyumi Global Engineering and Construction LLC and a specialist in the commissioning of power plants for the last 30 years, was the guest speaker. He highlighted how conventional fossil fuels were getting depleted fast and are harming the environment leading to global warming, which necessitates the use of renewable energy sources.
A hydro plant is quick and easy to start but will be confined to the areas where hydro sources are available. However, renewable energy plants can be set up and started anywhere without the need for a centralized power plant restricted to any region. However, as renewable energy is not available all the time, he stressed the importance of setting up hybrid plants that will switch on and off between the conventional and renewable energy sources through specialized software and controls.
He informed the audience of the starting of a new hybrid gas turbine power plant near Ibri to add another 600MW of power, which is expected to operate at a higher efficiency of 40%. Also, 100 MW parabolic troughs are to be installed near the AMOL oil fields and some units near the Haima area in Oman. He conveyed the importance of cluster development where a group of industries could combine and set up a renewable energy plant to tap power.
He also stressed the need to develop ICV products that are simple but will have a social impact such as solar lanterns, date dryers and humidifiers, solar street lights, wind turbine water pumps, solar air conditioners, solar laundries and solar cookers.
This was followed by a brief question and answer session and the talk highlighted the new developments that are to happen close to our college and it greatly benefited the audience.