Abdullah Shaher is a dedicated lecturer at Najran University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he has been inspiring and educating students since 2013. In addition to his teaching role, he is a passionate researcher at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom. His research primarily focuses on Smart Community Energy systems aimed at balancing the grid, a critical area in modern energy management. Abdullah is recognized as an expert in energy economics, renewable energy technologies, and the optimisation of energy storage. His extensive knowledge and innovative approach have made significant contributions to these fields. Over the years, Abdullah has authored several journal papers on electrical energy systems and has actively participated in various conferences dedicated to renewable energy. One of his notable recent publications is a paper titled "Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic in Saudi Arabia to Supply Electricity Demand in Localised Urban Areas: A Study of the City of Abha." This research is particularly significant for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which are increasingly focusing on renewable energy to ensure utility security and reduce CO2 emissions, thus protecting the environment. Abdullah's commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions and his contributions to the academic and research communities highlight his pivotal role in shaping the future of energy systems in the region and beyond.
Expert in Energy Economics, Renewable Energy Technologies and The Optimisation of Energy Storage
Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic in Saudi Arabia to Supply Electricity Demand in Localised Urban Areas: A Study of the City of Abha
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is receiving great interest in the field of renewable energy to preserve the climate and environment. Solar energy is becoming popular for domestic applications in Saudi Arabia because of its significant solar energy capability. The value of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) generation has increased due to the favorable conditions in community energy systems in the cities. This research study investigates the potential for rooftop solar photovoltaic to supply the electricity demand in localised urban areas minimising the import from the grid. In this research study, a localised energy system in Abha city is proposed. This city is the capital of Aseer Province located near the Red Sea in the southwest of the country. In this study, different types of loads are considered: (i) residential loads with a monthly aggregated energy consumption of 172,440MWh and an electric demand of 239.5 MW and (ii) commercial loads with a monthly aggregated energy consumption of 179,280MWh and an electric demand of 249 MW. At present, the load is supplied by the grid. This is collaborative research with the electricity company and is using real data for the localised urban area. This paper presents the benefits of community energy systems across different levels of building aggregation. The initial case study offers valuable insights into the impact of various factors on achieving a balance between power demand and rooftop PV generation within a community. In the second case study, a comparison is made between different building types in both commercial and residential areas.The findings confirm that the optimal battery size, demand, and PV production vary significantly across different building types.