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Landmark Smart Solar Project Announced in Bahrain
May 22, 2012
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Petra Solar, The National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA), The Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO), and Caspian Energy Holdings have announced an agreement for a five-megawatt distributed smart solar energy project that is intended to bring solar and smart grid benefits to the BAPCO township of Awali, the University of Bahrain, and other locations in Bahrain. The project will leverage smart solar technology developed in the U.S. by Petra Solar to generate electricity in a reliable way that stabilizes the grid and will potentially create jobs at several skill levels in Bahrain. The project is a collaborative effort among the U.S. consortium, NOGA, BAPCO, The Electricity & Water Authority (EWA), academia, industry, and government. It is the first phase of a national energy plan to generate electricity from renewable sources.
Smart solar is an innovative approach that couples solar with smart grid technology and is deployed in partnership with utility companies to generate renewable energy while making the electric infrastructure more stable, efficient and energy independent. The approach builds large scale solar in a reliable fashion that is designed to avoid the future costs of rebuilding the grid.
His Excellency Dr. Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza - Minister of Energy, Chairman of The National Oil and Gas Authority announced on this occasion: "The project in Awali represents just the first step in a series of initiatives by NOGA to diversify the sources of energy needed to ensure the sustainable development of the Kingdom. Following a successful implementation of this pilot project we expect that other projects will follow in the near future. Through forming strategic alliances with technologically advanced partners, NOGA aims to diversify the energy supply sources that will help achieve the goals of Bahrain Vision 2030."
Further, Mr. Gordon Smith - Chief Executive, The Bahrain Petroleum Company said: "The landscape of Awali will be changed by this initiative; but more than the landscape, the operating philosophy of BAPCO which relied totally on fossil fuels for generating its electricity, will also change as a result of this project. Through this step BAPCO reinforces its image as a responsible corporate citizen that cares for the environment and the community we live in."
The project, featuring a high-tech research and development component inside Bahrain, is seen as offering the country a chance to be a leader in the new energy future. It is the first step in building an energy ecosystem in Awali, based on Petra Solar's technology.
"Solar power and a stable electric grid are critical elements to Bahrain developing economic and energy security," said Dr. Shihab Kuran, President and CEO of Petra Solar. "In Awali, we are deploying solar power plus we are building a wireless smart grid network, which is the foundation for command and control of the smart solar systems and unique smart grid applications."
"The Middle East has for some time evaluated the integration of solar energy for reduction of reliance on non-renewable energy sources," said Mr. Marty Youssefiani, CEO of Caspian Energy Holdings. "Bahrain, however, is among the first in the region to implement a project of this kind, demonstrating a serious commitment to long term solutions." The chief executive added, "This consortium brings together a broad array of expertise and superior technologies in support of a world-class project, showcasing the future of sustainable, renewable, clean energy."
Source: Petra Solar
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