Solar PV has reached Grid Parity in Pakistan

Solar PV has been reaching the grid parity levels in several countries around the globe including Pakistan. Tariff for a PV plant is decreasing day by day and it is comparable with conventional power technologies. Several factors are contributing to lower the solar power tariff and making PV technology the most economical and viable option. Firstly, Pakistan is home to excellent solar resources. Pakistan achieves yearly irradiation of around 2000 kWh/m2 that is similar to Middle Eastern Countries and doubles that of Europe. Secondly, the sunny belts are in the low-density areas of the country. Thus, the lands are available at lower costs. Moreover, there is low vegetation in these sunny areas which consequently helps in eradicating the shading losses. Fourthly, the low labor costs and tax discounts on green energy are also attracting investors. Most importantly, the PV modules’ prices decrease day by day due to the continuous research in this area, which is contributing to the production of cheap and durable PV technologies. This modules’ cost is approximately half of the total investment cost which is halved in the last few years. 

To recapitulate, PV plants have achieved the grid parity in the users’ end in numerous areas around the world as compared to coal, oil, or gas-powered systems. It is expected that the innovation in technologies would make the modules’ costs decline further. Higher irradiations, low labor costs, and tax rates are the key elements to achieve grid parity. Solar power cost has currently declined to 0.03 US Dollar per kWh in Pakistan which is quite lower than that of 0.05 US Dollar per kWh for Coal-fired power plants [1]. More than 20% growth has been recorded in PV installations and it would grow more in the future.  In the case of a stand-alone small PV system in Pakistan, per kWh cost of electricity is calculated to be 0.199 US Dollars which is more than six times as compared to a COE/kWh via On-Grid Commercial PV Plant but it is still affordable for the remote communities[2]. 

PV modules' strings configuration to extract optimal power under partially shaded conditions

Smart Hybrid Energy Systems - A Revolution in Coastal Life

Amalgamation of Wind Energy, Tidal Energy, and Photovoltaic.

The amalgamation of wind, tidal and solar (WTS) energies to generate electricity is a novel technique which is progressively being utilized by the developed countries around the world for the uninterrupted power supply. 

 Pakistan is blessed with offshore wind, tidal and solar energy resources but still, we are unable to meet the electricity demands of our coastal areas. Why?

The power shortfall (approx. 960MW) in Baluchistan is a serious concern not only for the residents but for the potential commercialization of the impoverished region especially the undertakings of CPEC aren’t fully utilized until the energy shortage problem is addressed properly. The coastal area which is highly charged, if properly utilized can solve the prevailing problems of energy shortage.  The concept of power generation from a WTS hybrid energy system can be applied for the under-addressed issue. 

Renewable energy systems that extract power from sustainable sources like solar, wind and tides can supply power with low environmental impact and promise energy efficient operation. The biggest challenge, while producing power from renewable resources like solar, wind and tidal, is the uninterrupted supply of power. The solar power is best available during a clear sunny summer day, but on a cloudy day and during night time it doesn’t give any power. Wind energy can be best utilized by using the latest technologically advanced rotors but is highly unpredictable. Tidal energy has not been utilized very much due to the specificity of its installation area but is highly predictable. Various renewable energy systems have been developed for a wide range of applications, however, most studies are focused on the design of the energy conversion device for a single energy resource i.e., solar, wind and wave. With the variable nature of renewable energy resources, the major challenge for single resource systems is the intermittent power supply and increased capital cost of the power storage and management systems. To improve energy supply stability, we should consider the use of a Hybrid system that combines multiple sources together.

Renewable energy in general and hybrid systems is key to the future. As the demand for electrical power increases the supply of energy is the panacea that has the ability to overcome all the problems of a developing nation. China Pakistan Economic Corridor is the opportunity and another reason for Pakistan to meet its expectations of giving a viable environment for small and large industries to thrive. By introducing WTS the coastal area of Balochistan and Sindh can be utilized providing comfort and hundreds of jobs to the indigenous people. This amalgamation of wind, tidal and solar energies can be modified even redesigned according to the needs. The feasibility for such projects in the long coast of Baluchistan is worth noting: About 4 m/s wind speeds are noted for Pasni and Jiwani which are comparatively very high; the average monthly solar radiation intensity remains 136.05 to 287.36 W/m2 in the region. The designing of this project for the 750 km long coastal area is a crucial step to ensure a stable economy and around-the-clock energy supply to bolster business and financial null to eliminate the ever-present problems related to energy shortage.

This project is built at the coastal areas to cope up with high demands of electricity. It must be built immediately as the crisis of electricity is rampant and the economy of Pakistan is affected by it. If a whole power generation plant is not feasible then it should be mandatory to install it at a town like Jeewani or Gwadar because the energy consumption in those places is low compared to the other areas like Karachi or Hyderabad. The reason for that is the possibility of facilitated by it immediately. Regarding wind energy, we know that the wind speed is not constant all of the time we would need batteries to store the energy according to the need. The Hybrid can be connected to the national grid to compensate for the energy that is being consumed with a high rate. The use of high-quality products can affect the result positively, so it is recommended to use state-of-the-art equipment.

Block Diagram

WAVE ENERGY- A KEY TO BETTER FUTURE OF COSTAL COMMUNITIES!

Even having enough offshore wave energy resources, why we have not installed the cheap and independent power systems yet?

One of the many challenges faced by developing countries, including Pakistan, is Energy Crises. Due to hiking prices of oil and gas, it has become a challenging job for the governments to provide continuous electric supplies for industrial, commercial and household users. Moreover, we could not rely on the fossil fuel for energy needs in long-term. We need to identify renewable resources that could be used for power generation in the future.

When it comes to Pakistan, conditions are more critical. Express Tribune in mid-2018 reveals a report that says Power shortfalls hit the record peak of 9000 MW. This is just the situation of areas that are connected to the National Grid. If you talk about areas and communities those are still deprived of a basic facility of Electricity, it’s an alarming situation for concerned authorities in the country that still we need to supply electric supply to 32000 more villages, as confessed by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority(NEPRA).

Reason to this high number of electric deprived villages and areas is that their connection to National Grid requires huge capital. As Pakistan already facing financial crises, it is not feasible to spend on this problem. Furthermore, the geography of these areas is very complex and it needs Mega Machinery along with the funding to work on this project. 

Although we are facing these complex problems, we have many natural resources and ideas through which we can resolve these problems economically. One of the feasible solutions to energy crises in the current situation is to focus on installing individual small-scale renewable energy projects in remote areas, eventually, reducing the burden on National Grid and enabling it to fulfill energy needs for industries. As these areas Power demands are not so high, we can provide financially viable solutions for assigned tasks.

One of the best renewable resources is tidal and wave Energy. Fortunately, Pakistan is blessed with 1,045 Km long coastal line. Almost 750 km coast lie in Balochistan and remaining 300 km covers the coastal area of Sindh Province. The overall coastline of Pakistan covers five main regions i.e. Gwadar, Lasbela, Karachi, Thatta Coast from Korangi Creek up to the Siri Creek with Indian border and Rann of Kutch from Badin to Tharparker district. Gwadar is considered a new economic and industrial Hub.

A group of engineering students in Balochistan University of Engineering & Technology had done a research project on “Linear Generator System for Wave Energy”. In this Project, Mr. Hashim and his project mates proposed a feasible design for extracting Electric Power through wave energy. The system introduced in this project is economical and it gives guidelines to overcome future energy crises. In results, this engineering group summarised their results. Weather analysis of Pakistan coastal line throughout the year shows that mostly the weather is clear at night in most of the days in a calendar year. When waves produced due to tidal pull of the moon, their linear wave power generator is designed to extract energy from the waves. Wave heights at Pakistani coastal line varies in between two to five meter, so by approximation 1100 KW power can be extracted through their designed wave Power generator. This Power produced is adequate enough to bear the power load of the coastal population of Pakistan. Total emissions through their designed generator are almost nil.

After conducting various tests and experiments, they concluded that wave’s height in Pakistanis coasts is sufficient enough to generate Power through their designed project. So extraction of wave energy is an outstanding solution to fulfill the country energy needs. Currently, it is feasible to start work on this project in Karachi coast, Kimari, Gaddani, and Gawadar. As Gawadar and Karachi are two main industrial Hubs and also the part of ongoing CPEC Project, it is advisable to authorities to start on such projects as soon as Possible.

The author believes that if Government needs to find a permanent and long-term solution to the energy crises, then this project is not only good through the economic point of view but is also technically viable. Government just has to take steps in promoting such projects and actually invite the foreign Investors to invest in such solutions that can fulfill ultimate energy demands.

If we talk on other aspects of this project then you will be pleased to know that this project is not user-friendly but one of the best in its kind. As our government also has deep concerns about pollution and emissions. This project is also environmentally friendly. It doesn’t have any emissions like in the case of Coal and Nuclear Power Plants. It does not affect aquatic life too. Government assistance can play an important role in promoting new technologies in the country.

In short, after complete analysis and different research projects on various renewable resources, it is suggested that Tidal Energy is the best alternative to the former energy production processes. Scientists and researchers already predicted that natural resources are about to end. We need to prepare at our end to control the conditions which we have to face in near future.  Muhammad Arifeen in his article stated that Net Potential of wave and tidal power is greater as compared to wind and solar power. The International Energy Agency estimated that if all the available resources for tidal energy are exploited with accuracy then we would be able to extract 80,000 Tera Wh of electrical power each year. While the current total energy production of the entire world is about 17,400 TWh. 

The government should provide incentives and sufficient grants for these projects. These projects have the potential to empower remote areas at relatively better cost as compared to Grid electricity. Investors should be encouraged to invest in these projects for the betterment of local communities as well as to secure the future of the Nation!