Clean Power Generation using Wind Turbines in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

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Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

History2

Topography and Weather3

Economy4

Environmental Perspective4

Energy Production5

Hypothesis, aims, and objectives8

Aims8

Objective8

Hypothesis8

Overview of research methodology8

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW10

Introduction10

Hydroelectric Power11

Solar Energy12

Geothermal Energy14

Wind Energy15

Biomass Energy17

Renewable Energies Have Problems Too19

The Future of Energy20

Wind Power22

Wind Farms22

Power Generation Variability24

Environmental Concerns24

Wind Turbine26

Estimating Power Generation27

Concerns about Wind Turbines29

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY33

Introduction33

Methodology33

Role of the Researcher34

Researcher Bias35

Qualitative Research35

Quantitative Research35

Rationale for a Qualitative Study36

The Role of primary Data37

Secondary Data Collection37

The Role of Secondary Data38

Data Collection38

CHAPTER 4 - RESULTS AND ANALYSIS40

The Temperature and Wind Speeds44

Wind Speeds50

Solar Energy in Jeddah52

Economic Viability of Solar Energy Capture and Conversion55

Jeddah and the WOA Of SEC61

Wind Power Generation in Saudi Arabia63

Wind Farm Site Location65

Wind Characteristics Of The Selected Site67

Conclusion71

REFERENCES77

Chapter 1: Introduction

The main premise behind the establishment of societies based on the concepts of self sustenance is that such societies leave little or no harmful effects on the environment resulting in improved health and prolonged life of individuals of the society. Such societies can contribute to the financial strengthening and prosperity of a country in a big way. The topic of self sustaining societies is as important in the Middle East as anywhere else in the world. Moreover, the most important aspect of a self sustaining society is its ability to generate clean and renewable energy that leaves little or no carbon footprint. Talking about the establishment of self sustaining societies in the Middle East, the most emphasis is placed on the designing and development of renewable energy sources such as solar cells, grey water recycling techniques, and wind turbines. According to Obadiah (2011), such techniques help in reducing the dependence and usage of fossil fuels for the purpose of producing energy, usage of water, and reducing the greenhouse effect. The race for the creation of self sustaining societies in the Middle East has already started with the “Estimate” plan being incorporated in the overall urban development plan of the Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. According to the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (2007), the term “Estimate” stands for sustenance in Arabic and calls for the establishment of systems to keep a check on issues relating to transportation, energy, and water and come up with green solutions to such problems.

According to Al Sayegh (2008), the plans being developed across the Middle East to address the issues of environmental pollution and green solutions to various issues cannot be directly implemented in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the simple reason that the culture, politics, manufacturing, production, environment, and economic conditions and traits of Saudi Arabia are very different from other ...