Al-Hegbani, Abdullah Abdulaziz (1993) Physical and economic factors and their effects on ...

332 Pages·2011·25.27 MB·English

Al-Hegbani, Abdullah Abdulaziz (1993) Physical and economic factors
and their effects on development of solar energy in Saudi Arabia. PhD
thesis.

http://theses.gla.ac.uk/2744/

Copyright and moral rights for this thesis are retained by the author

A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or
study, without prior permission or charge

This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first
obtaining permission in writing from the Author

The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any
format or medium without the formal permission of the Author

When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the
author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given

Glasgow Theses Service
http://theses.gla.ac.uk/
[email protected]
PHYSICAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS AND THEIR
EFFECTS ON DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR ENERGY
IN SAUDI ARABIA
By
ABDULLAH ABDULAZIZ AL-HEGBANI
(B. A., M. Sc. )
Thesis Submitted for the degree Doctor Philosophy ( Ph. D. )
of of
University Glasgow
of
Faculty Social Science
of
Department Geography Topographic Science
of and
March, 1993
(c) A. A. A1-Hegbani,. 1993
ICI TIPI NAME OF ALLABI THlE MERCIFUL
Ti EE CO1k PASSOONA7E
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
All praise belong to Allah and peace and blessings be upon the messenger of
Allah. The have been
completion of this thesis would not possible without the co-
helpful Although,
to
operation and great assistance of many people. much my regret,
it is impossible in I like
this to their to
short note mention all names, would extend
my thanks to all of them.
I deep
wish to express my appreciation and sincere gratitude to my advisors,
Dr. Gordon Dickinson, Prof. Arthur Morris for help,
their
and guidance, and
Thanks Dr. A. Morrison, Dr. A. Findlay
encouragement. are also extended to and
for
their Also, I like Prof. I.
valuable comments and suggestions. would to thank
B. Thompson Dr. J. Briggs for in department for
and giving me a place this and their
assistance.
I financial
must acknowledge the support that I received from the Imam
University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Also, I like Department
would to thank the of
Geography College Social Sciences in Riyadh for
at the of the encouragement and
Dr. A. Al-Khalaf Dr. I. Al-Dousary.
assistance, particularly, and
I would like to thank Mr. U. Tarabulsi, the deputy Petroleum
minister of and
Mineral
Resources
in Riyadh, S. A. for his in data
the to
assistance providing related
in Saudi
crude oil Arabia. Special Mr. A. Heneady, director
thanks to the
of
Meteorology Environmental
and Protection Administration in Jeddah, S. A., Mr.
and
S. Al-Tubaishi, the director Hydrology Division Ministry Agricultural
of at the of and
Water in Riyadh, S. A., for data
providing the meteorological related to the research.
IN,
Finally, I like Mr. D. Evans for his
to to
would express m), appreciation
Mr. H. Al-Shareedy.
the
assistance and comments regarding solar radiation maps.
director Al-Uyaynah High School, for his hospitality during
the of and assistance
the fieldwork at Al-Uyaynah village. Last but not least, special thanks to my wife
for her
support, encouragement, and patience.
V
Abstract
The for began in
this
search alternative energy resources early century after
discovery but in 1973, dramatically
the of crude oil, when crude oil prices
increased, for intensified. The
the
search new energy sources conservation of oil
in industrial has been due
consumption, mainly countries more strictly applied,
to the limited fossil fuels, is to
quantities of especially crude oil which expected
be depleted few decades. Moreover, increasing level
the the
within next of air
its human, life
pollution and severe consequences on animal, and plant and
has forced in
the to try to the
climate, world reduce air pollution emissions short-
for
to
run, and search more reliable, renewal energy resources
Amongst has
renewable energy resources, solar energy attracted much
due its including its in huge
to
attention unique characteristics, wide availability
latitudes, its harnessing
the
quantities, particularly at middle relatively simple
importantly, its
compared with nuclear energy, and most clean source which
does discharge
not any pollution emission.
The intensity in Saudi Arabia 290
of solar radiation reaches an average of
highest insolation in Here has been
, Awm-2, one of the values the world. attention
focused
However,
the
on solar energy as main alternative source of power.
is
there in distribution incoming
a great variation the of solar radiation within
Saudi Arabia. This is factors. They
variation attributed mainly to six major
include the following
:
1. Sunshine duration
VI
2. Insolation index
3. Altitude
the
of station
4. Specific humidity
5. Cloud
cover, and
6. Dust
storms
In factor
to the the
order measure effect of each mentioned above on
incoming linear is
variation of solar radiation, a multiple regression model
developed This is
and used. the most appropriate method to explain the
interrelationships between determinants dependent
the their
and variable.
In factors, human factor is in
to the the this
addition physical considered
thesis as a result of the crucial effect of the perspectives and attitudes of people
development. Therefore,
Al-
upon solar energy a questionnaire was conducted at
Uyaynah Village, Riyadh, has in
northwest of which a solar-generated electricity
Saudi Arabia.
Location future facilities is important issue for
of solar energy a very
decision-makers the incoming
as a result of great variation of solar radiation, not
from but from
only one site to another, also time to time. Appropriate locations
factors
in find
should consider all six mentioned above order to the optimum
intensity
of solar radiation.
vii
CONTENTS
Page No.
ArlrnnwI donrnpntc 111
.........................................................
N,
Abstract
.......................................................................
List Tables xi
of
...............................................................
List Figures xiv
of
..............................................................
List Plates avii
of
................................................................
1
CHAPTER ONE Introduction
:
.....................................
1
1.1 The Energy Dilemma
................................................
4
1.2 Thesis Objectives
................................................
5
1.3 Study Scope
......................................................
7
1.4 Studv Area
......................................................
CHAPTER TWO Implication Recent Trends in Energy
: of
Use in Saudi Arabia 11
.....................
11
2.1 Introduction
..................................................
2.2 The Patterns Current Energy Use in Saudi Arabia 13
of
........
13
2.2.1 Introduction
.......................................
..........
14
2.2.2 Crude Oil Natural Gas Production
and
...................
2.2.3 Consumption Refined Products Natural Gas 18
of and
.....
2.2.4 Exports Crude Oil, Refined Products Natural Gas 21
of and
22
2.2.5 Crude Oil Natural Gas Reserves
and
......................
25
2.3 Environmental Pollution
..........................................
25
2.3.1 Introduction
..................................................
27
2.3.2 The Major Causes Air Pollution
of
........................
viii
Page No.
31
2.3.3 The Major Effects Air Pollution
of
........................
36
2.4 The Potential for Solar Energy in Saudi Arabia
................
CHAPTER THREE Literature Review The Potential
of and
:
Measurement Solar Radiation........ 42
of
3.1 The Potential Applications Solar Energy 42
and of
................
56
3.2 The Measurement Solar Radiation
of
............................
CHAPTER FOUR Climatological Physical Aspects
: and
Saudi Arabia 68
of
...............................
4.1 Climatological Characteristics Saudi Arabia 68
of
...................
4.2 The Physiography Saudi Arabia 82
of
................................
CHAPTER FIVE The Major Factors Influencing Intensity
the
:
Solar Radiation Received the Earth's
of at
Surface in Saudi Arabia 88
.......................
Introduction 88
...........................................................
5.1 Incoming Solar Radiation 89
............................................
5.2 The Key Factors Influencing the Intensity Incoming Solar
of
Radiation in Saudi Arabia 90
.........................................
5.2.1 Insolation Index 90
..............................................
5.2.2 Specific Humidity 92
............................................
5.2.3 Sunshine Duration 96
...........................................
5.2.4 98
Altitude
........................................................
5.2.5 Cloud Cover 99
.................................................
5.2.6 Dust Storms 103
..................................................
1X
Page No.
5.3 Characteristics Data Used in the Research 108
of
...................
5.4 Theoretical Bases Analytical Procedures 109
and
....................
110
5.5 The Radiation Model
..............................................
CHAPTER SIX Temporal Variations in the Receipt
of
:
Solar Radiation in Saudi Arabia............ 113
CHAPTER SEVEN The Spatial Distribution Incoming
of
:
Solar Radiation in Saudi Arabia 143
.....
143
7.1 Introduction
...................................................
7.2 The Spatial Distribution Incoming Solar Radiation
of
in Saudi Arabia 157
.................................................
CHAPTER EIGHT: The Locations Solar Energy Facilities 184
of
8.1 The Physical Climatological Factors 184
and
...........................
8.1.1 Solar Radiation Intensity 184
.......................................
8.1.2 The Altitude Location 189
the
of
...................................
8.1.3 Dust Storms 191
......................................................
8.2 The Land Requirements Solar Energy Plants 194
of
..................
8.3 The Production Cost Solar Energy 199
of
..............................
8.4 Population Density 207
...................................................
8.5 Evaluation Some Solar Energy Applications in Saudi Arabia. 219
of
CHAPTER NINE Human Perspectives the Potential
of of
:
Solar Radiation in Saudi Arabia 228
..........