Renewable Energy

The researchers also test the technical and economic feasibility of renewable energy technologies in Kuwait by managing and monitoring pilot-scale demonstration projects. They measure the availability of natural resources and develop strategies for their best use in power generation. Some of the Center’s key renewable energy facilities include: 

Photovoltaic Test Platform

The IRE Program has developed a 100 kilowatt test platform that features panels and inverters from a variety of different technologies in order to assess their performance and viability in Kuwait. The test platform is assessed and monitored for its efficiency as it feeds into KISR’s power grid in order to determine the feasibility of installing solar panels on a larger scale given the climate conditions of Kuwait.

The Salmi Mini-Wind Farm (West of Kuwait City)

The Salmi Mini-Wind Farm was established to test and measure the performance of small sized wind turbines in the Salmi area. The farm is designed to operate both on and off-grid, serve telecommunication towers in remote areas as well as the fire brigade station in Salmi. The farm is located near the future selected site of the first large scale (70 megawatt) multi-technology Shagaya Renewable Energy Park — a government initiative currently being managed by KISR. 

Solar/Wind to Hydrogen Plant

The pilot-scale Solar/Wind to Hydrogen Plant uses photovoltaic panels (10 kilowatts) and wind turbines (6 kilowatts) to produce and store hydrogen (H2) as an energy carrier and use it as a fuel cell to provide electricity. The plant is being used to develop energy management technologies to reduce the cost and increase the reliability of renewable energy technologies in Kuwait.