Renewables Integrated Sustainable Power Generation for Water Systems Application: A Pathway to Water-Energy Nexus

Electricity and water are the two main fundamental pillars for the socio-economic development of a country. The Sultanate?s average electricity demand will increase at a rate of 6-9% over the coming years [OPWP]. Water production was increased from 364.50 million cubic meters in 2018 to 385.90 million cubic meters in 2019, at a percentage increase of 6%. Energy-intensive water production, treatment, and distribution systems depend on electricity from conventional power sources. Continuous growth in water demand can be viewed as a constant pressure and demand of electricity from the fossil fuel-based energy system. This is a matter of grave concern due to the exponentially increasing fresh water and electric power demand for the rapidly developing Omani society. This electricity demand can accelerate the further reduction in the total natural gas reserves of the Sultanate of Oman and can increase the threat to the carbon-neutral environment. Therefore, an alternative, cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable energy research is strategically vital to the Sultanate. Oman is blessed with ample sunshine throughout the country and notable wind along the long coastlines, making the country an ideal region for renewable energy research and development. Renewables, such as solar and wind, have emerged as the fastest growing and non-contaminating energy sources and are the leading choices of every researcher in the energy industry. Researchers are working globally to develop cheap, efficient, reliable, and sustainable technologies for extracting renewable powers using wind and solar resources. A complementary strategy in energy research involves developing strategies for efficient and reliable usage of available energy for meeting the demand for specific applications. Scientists have embarked on developing renewable energy systems (RESs), control, and energy management systems for reliable and efficient use of energy produced by renewable energy sources. RESs are poised to replace high energy consumption from fossil fuel-based generation to maximize renewable energy utilization, reduce fossil fuel consumption, and gain a carbon-neutral environment. The main thrust of this strategic project is to design and develop optimal renewable energy systems for applications in water pumping, extracting, and distributing. Many dynamic loads, such as motor-pump sets operating in water production, extraction, and distribution systems, require significant real and reactive powers for their operation. The project will focus on developing an optimal renewable power system consisting of intermittent renewable sources and suitable storage, ensuring reliable and efficient operation of the motor-pump sets in the water systems given that the required water flow rate, level, pressure, and quality in the system are maintained. Thus, this research provides an integrated approach towards developing optimal renewable energy systems, including green energy storage, such as hydrogen and fuel cell system, for sustainable water sector establishment. The project will address the following key areas: (i) design and analysis of renewable power generation systems using optimization techniques for high-pressure pumping stations applied for water systems applications, (ii) assessment of life cycle cost of the renewable power generation systems to select economically feasible system for water systems application, (iii) development of novel operational and control strategies of the renewable power generation systems considering sources intermittency and load power requirements by dynamic loads of the water systems, (iv) development of a dynamic model of the optimal renewable power generation system considering a case study water system for performance assessment, (v) validate performances of the renewables integrated sustainable green power systems for water production, and distribution systems using the RTDS real-time simulator. The project will develop scientific and research skills and expertise in the Sultanate of Oman. This will be achieved by providing training to the graduate students, technical staff, research assistants, young faculty, and developing laboratory facilities in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sustainable Energy Research Centre, and nanotechnology Research Centre at SQU. Successful project implementation will establish SQU as a research hub for the Water and Clean Energy nexus. In addition, the developed scientific knowledge will boost Oman?s water and energy sector and the economy. An attempt will be made to establish new research collaborations and strengthen the ongoing collaborations with leading institutions in Canada, local stakeholders, and the Directorate of Water Resources Management, Oman. It will also enhance SQU?s standing and ranking in research internationally by disseminating research findings in high-impact international journals and conferences and by patenting the novel outcomes of this research. This project aligns with Oman Vision 2040 on relying on renewable energy resources. In addition, the project will serve the network expansion of water to cover rural areas at a low cost. Further, it will reduce CO2 emission, in line with the Paris agreement of 2% CO2 reduction by 2030 and more by 2040.