Wind energy utilisation for water desalination, street and buildings lighting − a case study for The Emirate of Ajman − UAE

Abstract

Electricity demand is increasing worldwide due to the advancements in lifestyle, technology, and increased population. Governments are facing common challenges to generate electricity from low-cost and clean energy resources. Water desalination, air-conditioning, and lighting are the main sectors that consume a significant amount of electricity with great demand in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Many countries' water shortage problem, specifically in the Gulf area, has led to increased challenging electricity demand. Electric power is currently generated from mainly fossil fuel, which has an enormous ongoing impact on environmental pollutions and, thus, climate problems. UAE has recently started to look and was managed to deploy environmental-friendly energy resources, such as renewables for power generation. Attempts were made to utilise solar energy for desalination systems, and none of these attempts was made regarding using wind energy systems. The water need is met by seawater desalination. This purpose's energy consumption is getting high with the increase of demand to separate the salt from seawater. There exists more consumption in building and street lighting. Ajman is the smallest Emirate in the UAE, which imports its power from the neighbouring emirates with a cost to be paid. This research reviews the feasibility of resourcing more than 20% of the electricity demand by wind energy to satisfy power needs towards desalination and lighting for street and official and newly built buildings. Wind energy potential at the Emirate of Ajman has been reviewed and showed a suitable wind energy potential for utilisation to supply more than 20% of the demand of about 350 MW. A wind-powered desalination system can meet the water demand when a properly design system is to be installed.