Wednesday 09th, December 2015
Energy experts called for the best use of renewable energy resources in Oman in the wake of growing demand for electricity due to rising population, development and need to cut down dependence on oil and gas for energy needs. They threw light on positive outlook for renewable energy in Oman due to the fact that Oman has been identified as a country that receives highest amount of solar radiation. They were speaking at a conference titled 'Energy Challenges in Oman' (ECO' 2015) organised by Dhofar University's College of Engineering.
The two-day national conference has attracted specialists from Oman, Australia and UAE to present their views and current energy scenario in the Sultanate and its future outlook. Oman, according to some experts "receives extensive daily solar radiation ranging from 5,500 -- 6,000 Wh/m2 a day in July to 2,500 -- 3,000 Wh/m2 a day in January. Solar radiation mapping in Oman has shown a high ratio of sky clearness (about 342 days/year) and a significant potential for solar energy all over the country during the whole year. These factors clearly suggest that there exists a strong potential for venturing into solar energy as one of the best renewable." In his keynote address Dr Abdullah al Badi, Dean of College of Engineering in Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) gave an outline of renewable energy resources in Oman, current status and future prospects. "Renewable energy is secure, reliable and does not cause pollution.
Oman has large areas that have abundant solar radiations which can be utilised to generate substantial amount of energy. Wind speed has an average value of more than 5m/s in several parts of the country. This source can also be utilised to generate part of the energy mixed based on the load requirement," he said. Al Badi explained the research activities and pilot projects going on in SQU. While discussing cost effectiveness of solar power, he called for launching awareness for energy conservation and more research on renewable energy. Tariq Umar, Lecturer Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Al Sharqiyah University summed up his work as "great opportunity for Oman to utilise renewable energy for commercial advantage, as solar and wind energy technologies in particular can achieve more competitive costs.
The effective use of these technologies would require the development of a suitable skills base and provide the opportunity to develop a local level of manufacturing, each involving an increase in the level of skilled employment." "It would contribute to the extension and diversification of both the economy and energy sources. It would be in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2020. It would also help Oman establish a world position in this energy sector by providing a professional demonstration and monitoring capability for technology providers, as well as helping to carry forward the development of relevant technologies."
Dr Balkeshwar Singh of Mechanical Engineering Section of Salalah College of Technology spoke on: 'Power generation by solar thermal collectors'. According to him, "renewable energy sources in general and solar energy source in particular, has the potential to provide energy services with zero or almost zero emission."
© Oman Daily Observer 2015
