This VIP project, conducted in partnership with the Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation (LCEC), focuses on the planning, operational, and environmental aspects of wind energy farms planned to be built in Akkar, Lebanon. Three wind farms have been licensed in Akkar, which will enable Lebanon to increase its renewable energy share from 8% coming from hydro-electric energy to a 12% of total energy production. The total planned peak power output of the farms is estimated at 180MW.
In this project, we are initially addressing four goals. First, we will carry out an energy production analysis and assess its cost and needed infrastructure to export this energy to the EDL grid while respecting international standards of supply quality. Second, we are performing an environmental assessment of the plants and of their ability to mitigate carbon emissions in Lebanon. Third, to estimate the noise levels that will result from the operation of the wind turbines, and their impact on nearby residences. Last, we are also developing financial models of the plants to assess the designs and their ability to be dispatched in a future electricity market operational model.
Challenges
Challenges
In 2012, the Ministry of Energy and Water handed out three licenses to Sustainable Akkar, Lebanon Wind Power, and Hawa Akkar to generate 200MW from wind energy for a period of 20 years. The council of ministers empowered the Minister of Energy and Water to execute a power purchase agreement (PPA) that was signed on February 1, 2018 with each of the project companies with a deadline of 18 months to reach financial close and an additional 18 months to reach commercial operations date (COD). This is a project with zero debt for the government, as the private sector is taking responsibility for everything. The plan was to sell electricity to the government at an average price of USD0.096 over 20 years, which compares very favorably to what citizens are paying private generators, around USD0.30. This means millions of dollars of savings for the economy. Unfortunately, the current financial situation is pressing hard on the time horizon for starting this project.
Compliance with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The project addresses the following SDGs:
SDG3: Good health and Wellbeing.
SDG4: Quality Education.
SDG7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
SDG9: Industry Innovation and Infrastructure.
SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
SDG12: Responsible Production and Consumption.
SDG13: Climate Change.
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Apply to the project today, and join other students and faculty members.
