Module-4: Renewable Energy

Outline
 Course Objectives
 What is Renewable Energy?
 Main Renewable Energy Sources
 Opportunities and Challenges
 Global Indicators and Outlook (2030/2050)
 Renewables in the Arab World
 Renewables in Oman
 Oman Green Hydrogen Plan

©2025 Sultan Qaboos University. This document is the property of the course instructor and/or Sultan Qaboos University. No
part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Sultan Qaboos University. 2
 Course Objectives

1. Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable energy sources

2. Identify various sources of renewable energy
3. Understand the working principles of renewable energy systems (RESs)
4. Recognize the major components used in renewable power generation
5. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different RESs
6. Explore real-world applications of renewable energy Sources

Non-Renewable Energy
What is non-renewable energy?

• A non-renewable resource is a natural resource

that cannot be replenished or regenerated at a rate
comparable to its consumption.

• The fission of uranium creates nuclear energy.

(Fission is the division or splitting of a compound
into two or more parts to create energy.

• Uranium is a non-renewable source because

it cannot be reproduced once fission has
occurred.

• Fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum & natural gas

are also considered to be non-renewable.
 How is Coal Formed?

Formation of Oil and Gas

• Oil and gas are primarily

composed of hydrocarbons
(carbon + hydrogen compounds).

• Petroleum is a collective term

used for naturally occurring
hydrocarbons.

• Through hydrocarbon maturation

processes, this organic matter is
transformed into petroleum.

Source: [Link]
 Renewable Energy
What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy comes from natural resources that are
continuously replenished, such as sunlight, wind, water,
biomass, and geothermal heat.
• Key Feature:
Unlike fossil fuels, renewable sources do not deplete
and have a minimal environmental impact.
• Why It Matters:
Renewable energy helps reduce carbon emissions,
enhances energy security, and supports sustainable
development.
• Main Applications:
• Electricity generation (solar, wind, hydropower)
• Heating and cooling (geothermal, solar thermal)
• Transportation (biofuels, hydrogen)
• Common Terms:
Often referred to as clean, green, or environmentally
friendly energy.
7

Main Renewable Energy Sources

Overview of
Renewable
Energy Hydrogen
Sources Green
hydrogen
production and
usage

8
Solar Energy (Renewable Sources)
• Definition: Solar energy is derived from the
sun’s rays in the form of heat and light, making it
the most abundant source of renewable energy.

• Main Types:
1. Photovoltaic (PV): Converts sunlight directly into
electricity.
2. Solar Thermal: Uses sunlight to heat water or air for
power generation or domestic use.
3. Concentrated Solar Power (CSP): Uses mirrors or
lenses to focus sunlight onto a small area to
generate high temperatures, typically used for large-
scale electricity generation.

• Applications: Can be utilized globally, with

variations in scale and capacity depending on
local conditions.

Solar Energy Applications

• Photovoltaic (PV): Converts sunlight directly

into electricity for homes, businesses, and
solar farms.

• Solar Thermal: Produces hot water and heat

for residential, commercial, and industrial use.

• Agricultural Applications: Powers

greenhouses, crop drying, and solar-driven
irrigation systems

10
 Solar Energy Applications
1. Solar Cooking
• Using concentrated sunlight for cooking
food.
• Also for water heating and sterilization of
utensils.
2. Agricultural Uses
• Crop drying and greenhouse heating.
• Support irrigation with solar-powered
pumps.
3. Modern Applications
• Electricity generation using solar PV
(Photovoltaic) systems.
• Emerging concentrated solar
technologies for large-scale power.

11

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Technology

• Definition
A device that directly converts sunlight into electricity using
photovoltaic cells.
• Solar Cells & Panels
• Individual solar cells are grouped to form a solar panel.
• The electricity output increases with the number of
connected cells and panels.
• Key Features
• Clean and renewable.
• Scalable: from small household systems to large solar
farms.
• Efficiency depends on sunlight intensity and panel quality.

12
 Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Systems
• Step 1 – Solar Concentration
Mirrors (heliostats) or parabolic dishes reflect and
focus sunlight onto a receiver, where the solar
radiation is converted into high-temperature heat.
• Step 2 – Heat Conversion
The concentrated heat energy is transferred to a
working fluid (such as molten salts or oil), which
stores and transports thermal energy.
• Step 3 – Power Generation
The stored heat is used to produce steam that drives
a turbine connected to a generator, converting the
thermal energy into electricity.
• Applications
CSP systems are used for large-scale power
• CSP Technology generation and can incorporate thermal energy
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems generate storage for a continuous electricity supply, even
electricity by using mirrors or lenses to concentrate after sunset.
sunlight onto a small area. 13

Advantages and Disadvantages of

Solar Energy

14
 Wind Energy

• Turbines convert wind’s kinetic energy →

mechanical → electrical power

• Uses: direct mechanical (historically

pumping/grinding) and electricity

• Best in sites with consistent, strong winds

15

Components of a Wind Turbine

• Rotor Blades – Capture the kinetic energy of the wind and
transfer it.
• Gearbox – Increases the slow rotation of the blades into a
higher speed suitable for electricity generation.
• Generator – Converts mechanical energy from the shaft
into electrical energy.
• Nacelle – Housing on top of the tower that contains key
components (gearbox, generator, brakes).
• Power Cables – Carry the generated electricity from the
turbine to the grid or local consumers.
• Tower – Provides height for the turbine, ensuring blades
reach stronger and more consistent wind.
• Transformer – Steps up voltage from generator level to
transmission level.
• Consumer/Grid Connection – Final delivery of electricity
for homes, industries, or the power grid.
 Wind Energy Systems

• Wind farms combine multiple turbines to

generate large-scale electricity.

• Onshore wind: Lower installation and

maintenance costs; easy access.

• Offshore wind: Stronger, more consistent

winds → higher energy yield but increased
costs.

Wind power supports global renewable targets by reducing carbon

emissions and dependence on fossil fuels

17

Advantages and Disadvantages of

Wind Energy

Wind Energy
Wind energy is a clean and
renewable source, but like all
technologies, it has both
advantages and challenges.

• Its use is limited to sites with strong, steady winds and large land areas, often in remote locations.

• Wind is also seasonal and variable, so generation stops when winds are absent.

• Maximizing the benefits while managing these constraints is essential for sustainable wind power
development.
18
Hydropower as a Renewable Energy Source

• Hydropower converts the movement of water

into electricity, making it one of the oldest and
most reliable renewable energy sources.”
• Currently, hydropower generates more than half
of global renewable electricity.
• It is highly efficient and provides a flexible power
supply.
• There are three main types: dam-based, run-of-
“Hydropower efficiency: ~90%; Lifetime: 50–100 years.” river, and small-scale hydropower.

Hydropower is reliable and efficient, but requires

careful planning to minimize environmental and
social impacts

19

Hydropower: Efficiency and Challenges

• Hydropower relies on continuous rainfall and can
be affected by droughts or environmental changes
that alter rainfall patterns.

• Hydropower plants achieve very high efficiency

in electricity generation, often exceeding 90%.

• They are also cost-effective, since they use water

dams and do not require advanced or imported
fuels.

• Operating costs are relatively low, and dam

lifetimes can exceed 100 years, making
hydropower a long-term energy solution.

“Hydropower is efficient and cost-effective, but highly dependent on rainfall and local environmental conditions.”
20
 Hydropower: Opportunities and Challenges
Hydropower has both advantages and challenges that
must be considered for sustainable energy planning.

While hydropower is efficient and renewable, its sustainability depends on

careful environmental and social planning.
21

Biomass Energy as a Renewable Source

“One of the oldest renewable sources, now modernized for electricity, heat, and fuels.”

• Biomass energy is obtained from organic

materials such as wood, agricultural
residues, animal waste, and other natural
fertilizers and waste products.

• It is an important renewable source of

energy that can be used to produce
electricity, generate heat, or provide fuel.

“Biomass is versatile and renewable, but its

sustainability requires balancing energy production
with environmental and food security concerns.”

22
 Working Operation of Biomass Energy

• Biomass energy comes from organic materials

like plants, wood, and waste, which can be
burned or converted into biofuels to produce
heat, electricity, or fuel.

• The fundamental principle is releasing the

stored chemical energy from the biomass, often
by burning it to create heat and steam that
drives a turbine to produce electricity.

23

Traditional Biomass Energy

• Traditional biomass energy is the oldest form of
renewable energy, obtained by burning organic
materials such as wood, crop residues, and
animal waste.

• It is mostly used in developing countries and

rural areas where modern energy access is
limited.

• Although it provides a vital source of heat and

light, it is often inefficient and can produce
indoor air pollution that affects human health.

“Traditional biomass contributes to deforestation and indoor air pollution, causing

health risks for millions of people worldwide.”
24
 Modern Biomass Energy
 Modern biomass energy converts solid biomass
into biogas, bioethanol, or biodiesel.

 It uses advanced processes such as

fermentation, anaerobic digestion, or chemical
conversion.

 Compared to traditional burning, it is more

efficient and cleaner, reducing indoor air
pollution.

 It can be used for electricity generation,

"Modern biomass is cleaner and more efficient, but heating, or as vehicle fuels.
requires technology, infrastructure, and careful
 Plays a key role in sustainable energy
sustainability planning."
systems, especially in rural areas.

25

Biomass Energy (Environmental Concerns)

• Direct combustion of biomass can produce polluting gases,

but at lower levels compared to fossil fuels (crude oil, gas,
coal).

• For this reason, many international organizations recognize

biomass as a renewable energy source.

• However, its use must be carefully managed due to:

• Harmful emissions.
• Impact on ecological balance and land use.
• Deforestation for biofuel production.

"Biomass is renewable, but sustainable management is essential to minimize its environmental

impacts."

26
Advantages of Biomass Energy

27

Geothermal Energy

• Geothermal energy refers to extracting heat

resources stored in the Earth’s crust.

• It comes from underground hot water

reservoirs formed naturally or as a result of
geological activity.

• This energy can be used directly for

purposes like heating, cooling, and water
circulation, or it can be converted into
electricity.

28
Advantages and Disadvantages of
Geothermal Energy

29

Marine Energy
• Marine energy, sometimes called ocean energy or ocean power,
refers to renewable energy derived from the movement and
thermal properties of ocean water.
• It uses kinetic energy (waves, tides, and ocean currents) or thermal
energy (temperature differences in seawater) to generate
electricity or heat.
• Different technologies are used, including wave energy converters,
tidal turbines, and ocean thermal energy conversion systems.
• It is a promising source of clean energy, especially for coastal
regions, but still requires significant technological development and
investment.

30
30
 Hydrogen Energy
• Green hydrogen refers to hydrogen produced
using renewable energy sources such as solar,
wind, or hydropower.
• It is generated through a process called
electrolysis, where electricity from renewable
sources splits water into hydrogen and oxygen.
• This hydrogen can be used as a fuel for
transportation, energy storage, and industrial
applications, or converted into electricity and heat
without emitting carbon dioxide.

Why is it Renewable?
Component Renewable Advantage
Energy Input Powered by renewable electricity (solar, wind)
Raw Material Uses water — abundant & recyclable
Emissions Zero CO₂ emissions during production or use
Energy Cycle Hydrogen → Energy → Water — a closed-loop process
31

Production of Green Hydrogen

32
Utilization of Green Hydrogen

33

34
 Opportunities of Renewable Energy

35

Competitiveness in Renewable Energy Prices (2010–2022)

• Solar Energy:
Cost dropped 88% → from 0.445 $/kWh in 2010 → to 0.049 $/kWh in 2022.
• Onshore Wind:
Cost decreased by 60%.
• Offshore Wind:
Cost decreased by 69%.
• Biomass Energy:
Cost reduced by 26%, but still higher → between 0.069 and 0.244 $/kWh.

"Renewable energy is becoming more competitive, with solar and wind now among the cheapest electricity
sources in many regions."
36
Challenges of Renewable Energy

37

Global Energy Mix – 2021

38
Share of Renewable Energy Sources

• Hydropower is the largest contributor, providing

about 54% of global renewable electricity.

• Wind power comes second, accounting for

around 23% of renewable energy generation.

• Solar energy contributes about 13%, and

continues to grow rapidly.

• Other renewable sources (such as biomass

and geothermal) together make up the
remaining 10%.

39

Future of Renewable Energy

• Some organizations have indicated a rise in the contribution

of renewable energy sources to electricity generation
globally.
• The share of renewables increased from about 28% in 2020
to approximately 46% by 2030, and is expected to reach
around 73% by 2050.
• Source: International Energy Agency (IEA), (2022). World
Energy Outlook 2022.

40
 Renewable Energy in Arab Countries
• In 2021, oil and gas products represented the main source of electricity generation, accounting for
about 94% of the total.
• Renewable energy contributed only 6%, broken down as:
• Hydropower: 3%
• Solar energy: 2%
• Wind energy: 1%
• Source: Arab Union of Electricity (2022), Statistical Bulletin (2019–2021).

41

Renewable Energy in Oman

• Oman has vast potential for solar and
wind energy development.

• There is a possibility that energy

demand will increase 11–14 times by
2050.

• Solar energy potential: >2400

kWh/m² annually.

• Wind energy potential: up to 11 m/s

in several regions.

• Allocated lands for solar and wind

projects can generate thousands of
TWh annually
42
 Future of Renewable Energy in Oman

• Oman plans to increase its reliance on renewable

energy sources in the future, aiming to raise the
share of renewables in the national energy mix to
30% by 2030.
• Over the past five years, Oman has witnessed
remarkable growth in renewable energy use on a
large scale, with key projects including:
• Ibri-2 Solar Power Plant (500 MW), operational
since 2022.
• Dhofar Wind Power Plant (50 MW),
inaugurated in 2019.
• Amin Solar Power Plant (100 MW), launched in
2020.

43

Future of Renewable Energy in Oman

Oman has ambitious future plans to establish multiple renewable
energy projects, including:
Project Capacity / Range Notes / Status
Manah I is confirmed at 500 MW,
Manah I & II Solar (Ad
1,000 MW (500 MW each) commercial by Q1 2025. Manah II
Dakhiliyah)
is also planned as 500 MW.
Project under development /
Ibri III Solar 500 MW
solicitation
Jaalan Bani Bu Ali Wind (JBB Project capacity in that range,
91-105 MW
Wind IPP) target Q1 2027.
Duqm Wind IPP (Ras Madrakah,
234-270 MW Targeted for Q4 2027.
Al Wusta)
Planned adjacent to Dhofar I,
Dhofar II Wind (DPS, Dhofar) 114-132 MW
target Q2 2027.
Sadah Wind IPP (Dhofar) 81-99 MW Planned for Q4 2027.

Mahoot Wind I IPP (Al Wusta) 342-400 MW Planned for Q4 2027.

44
 Future of Renewable Energy in Oman
Oman has also taken steps towards using renewable energy for the production of green hydrogen and has
ambitious plans in this field.

• Duqm → Wind capacity factor: 48%, Solar

irradiation: 2300 kWh/m²

• Dhofar → Wind capacity factor: 46%, Solar

irradiation: 2470 kWh/m²

• Al Jazir → Wind capacity factor: 53%, Solar

irradiation: 2340 kWh/m²

45

The End