We plan to supply the Sultanate with the latest sustainable energy storage solutions in support of national energy objectives and achieving net-zero. New innovation in energy infrastructure and storage advances economic growth while bolstering in-country value, enriching the job market, and supporting progress.
Nama Power & Water Procurement Company (PWP), the sole national buyer of all electricity and potable water output, plans to study options for developing energy storage capacity – a prerequisite for the optimal utilization of renewable resources in the Sultanate of Oman.
Widely hailed as a game-changer for economies transitioning to clean energy, energy storage allows for the storage of energy for use at another time, thereby enhancing grid reliability, curbing fluctuations in energy costs for consumers, and ultimately helping build a more resilient grid.
Storage becomes imperative when the renewable power source is, for example, solar and wind – renewable electricity from which is intermittent. But when integrated with energy storage, electricity supply is balanced out, ensuring seamless, uninterrupted power supply to industrial and other consumers.
With multiple gigawatts of renewable capacity envisioned for procurement in Oman over the coming decade, PWP – part of Nama Group – says it will evaluate the "potential role of energy storage technologies in Sultanate of Oman''s power system over the period from 2025 to 2040".
The study, it said, will focus on the "role of such technologies in supporting the transition from today''s predominantly gas-based system to a mixed system with a high renewable energy share consistent with Oman Vision 2040."
"A study will be initiated in 2023 to determine the optimal generation mix including storage optimization for the short- and long-term horizons," the capacity procurer noted in its latest 7-Year Statement detailing the outlook for power and water demand growth over the 2023-2029 timeframe.
However, pending a decision on the deployment of energy storage technologies, renewable energy development will be pursued as a combination of solar and wind based generation – a move designed to mitigate the variability and intermittency factors associated with these energy resources. Nevertheless, energy storage becomes necessary if these challenges are to be fully addressed.
Among the most commonly deployed technologies to support energy storage is Pumped Storage Hydropower, say experts. It centres on the use of surplus power during peak generation to pump water into a reservoir located at a certain height. When required, the reservoir is allowed to drain out into a lower reservoir to produce electricity in the process, particularly when renewable resources are not available.
But rapidly gaining popularity around the world are Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), which enable energy from renewables, such as solar and wind, to be stored and then discharged when the power the needed.
Regardless of the technologies used, energy storage is indispensable for countries like the Sultanate of Oman that have firm commitments to become carbon neutral by 2050. Managing the peaks and troughs associated with renewable power, without recourse to carbon-emitting power generation, can be achieved only through the deployment of effective energy storage solutions, experts stress.
The Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP), the single buyer of electricity and water output in the Sultanate of Oman, says it plans to study options for energy storage development as part of the nation''s transition to a greener and sustainable future.
The move – a first in Oman''s power sector – will help support the large-scale adoption of renewable energy resources for electricity generation, as well as accelerate the decarbonization of the electricity sector, according to a key executive of the state-owned entity – a member of Nama Group.
"One area that we are trying to focus on this year and next are options for energy storage," said Abdullah Rashid al Sawafi (pictured), Chief Operating Officer. "Our goal is to capitalize on the utilization of energy storage, and support the generation of renewable energy, as part of our commitment to achieving sustainability in this sector. To this end, we will tender out a Request for Proposals (RfP) to the market, during this year, to get their support in this area."
Energy storage encompasses the ability to capture energy at a time of, say, surplus availability, for use later at a time when access to an energy source is either unavailable, limited in supply or intermittent. By utilizing a variety of technologies and systems, energy storage can help address a major shortcoming in the large-scale adoption of renewables, such as solar and wind resources: the intermittency factor associated with such types of resources.
Likewise, in thermal storage, excess heat or electricity generated during the day is used to heat up liquids or materials, such as molten salts. This heat is harnessed to run a steam turbine at night for electricity generation.
Other types of storage systems, such as Compressed Air Energy Storage, Flywheel Energy Storage, and so on, are also in use elsewhere around the world – their application depending on environmental conditions, as well as suitability to the end-user.
Of late, however, the use of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), based on lithium-ion or other technologies, is becoming increasingly efficient and popular, particularly in conjunction with solar, wind and other such resources.
Speaking at the Oman Sustainability Week, which was held in Muscat last week, Al Sawafi said the study will enable OPWP to evaluate the potential role of energy storage technologies in Oman''s power system. Furthermore, in addition to supporting the National Energy Transition Strategy, energy storage will also help optimize Oman''s generation portfolio, he added.
SOLAR VALLEY in Oman is a unique independent power company focused on solar and wind investments. We construct, own, and operate dedicated power plants for sustainable energy generation
Sur – Oman is considering developing local energy storage solutions to accelerate the sultanate''s transition to renewable energy sources, according to the Minister of Energy and Minerals.
H E Salim bin Nasser al Aufi said sustainable energy storage solutions will play a crucial role in achieving the sultanate''s goal of generating at least 30% of power from renewable sources by 2030 and reaching 100% by 2050.
Energy storage solutions play a critical role in transitioning to renewable energy as these address the irregular nature of energy sourced through renewable sources such as solar and wind.
The Omani government has allocated 65,000sqkm of concession land for renewable energy projects. Of this, approximately 50,000sqkm will be dedicated to green hydrogen projects, while the remaining will be used for renewable power generation projects.
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