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Operation Optimisation Towards Generation Efficiency Improvement in Saudi Arabia, Using Mathematical Programming and Simulation

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Smart Grid Inspired Future Technologies (SmartGift 2017)

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Abstract

The efficiency of fossil power generation has improved during the last decades and technology development has played a significant role in this improvement. However, several factors can affect the efficiency level, such as operation, maintenance and environment, etc. The economic growth in Saudi Arabia in recent years has increased the demand for electricity. On the supply side, despite the reinforcement of generation stock with new units, the generation efficiency of fossil fuel has not improved significantly and is considered as being amongst the lowest in the world. This, as a result, means further consumption of resources and more emissions being produced. For this study, a new merit order has been produced using mathematical models to optimise the operation of power plants and improve the average efficiency. In addition, a simulation model was built to verify the enhancement. The results of the first stage show, on average, 3.5% improvement in generation efficiency and around a 4.95 Mtonnse reduction in total CO2 produced. In the second stage, the efficiency improved by 6% and the emissions rate dropped by 5.7%.

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Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to the Electricity and Cogeneration Regulatory Authority (ECRA) in Saudi Arabia for providing the data that have been used in this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Engineering, Design and Physical Science, Brunel University London, London, UB8 3PH, UK

    Mohammad Althaqafi & Qingping Yang

Authors
  1. Mohammad Althaqafi
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  2. Qingping Yang
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Mohammad Althaqafi or Qingping Yang .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom

    Eng Tseng Lau

  2. Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom

    Michael K.K. Chai

  3. Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom

    Yue Chen

  4. Austrian Institute of Technology, Vienna, Austria

    Oliver Jung

  5. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Victor C.M. Leung

  6. University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom

    Kun Yang

  7. Austrian Institute of Technology, Vienna, Austria

    Sandford Bessler

  8. Middlesex University London, London, United Kingdom

    Jonathan Loo

  9. University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

    Tomonori Nakayama

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© 2017 ICST Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering

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Althaqafi, M., Yang, Q. (2017). Operation Optimisation Towards Generation Efficiency Improvement in Saudi Arabia, Using Mathematical Programming and Simulation. In: Lau, E., et al. Smart Grid Inspired Future Technologies. SmartGift 2017. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, vol 203. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61813-5_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61813-5_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-61812-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-61813-5

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