The Energy Complex of Wind and Thermal Power Plants: Development in Iraq

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Introduction Energy System Structure of Middle East The Middle East is central to the functioning of global energy markets. The region is home to five of the world’s top 10 oil producers - Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and Kuwait - and three of the top 20 gas producers. It accounted for more than four in ten barrels of global oil exports in 2022. Total energy supply in Middle East. According to the data recorded on the International Energy Agency (IEA), the total energy supplied in the Middle East reached with an increase in the supply process by 131%, with a global participation rate of 6% in 2022. Countries across the Middle East face significant energy and climate challenges. Domestic oil and gas demand could increase substantially, driven by economic expansion and population growth. Demand for cooling and desalinated water may also rise significantly as extreme weather conditions tied to climate change, such as heatwaves and droughts, are likely to become more frequent. Nearly 95% of the electricity generated in the Middle East comes from natural gas and oil - the highest share in the world, though countries in the region also have some of the world’s best solar resources. As clean energy transitions reduce demand for fossil fuels globally, producer economies in the region will need to unlock new sources of revenue. As a result, a number of producers are developing plans to build out low-carbon energy industries - leveraging their energy expertise to diversify their economies and energy mixes at the same time. Iraq, despite its vast hydrocarbon resources, faces a multifaceted energy crisis characterized by chronic electricity shortages, increasing energy demand, deteriorating infrastructure, and heigh-tened environmental degradation. The reliance on fossil fuels not only jeopardizes energy security but also exacerbates public health issues and socio-economic disparities across the nation. The country’s energy landscape is marked by a precarious balance between energy supply and demand, with appro-ximately 35% of the population experiencing un-reliable access to electricity [1]. This inconsistent energy supply has significant repercussions for economic stability, social welfare, and overall quality of life. Moreover, the environ-mental implications of Iraq’s fossil fuel depen-dency are dire. The country ranks among the most vulnerable to climate change, facing challenges such as increased desertification, water scarcity, and pollution-related health impacts. Current energy policies and government strategies have predominantly centered on oil and natural gas exploitation, neglecting the potential for diversifi-cation through renewable energy sources. Thus, the scope of this research is critical for assessing the barriers to, and avenues for, integrating renew-able energy into Iraq’s energy system [2]. 1. Overview of Iraq Energy System Structure There are three types of main stations operat-ing in Al-Alaq of different sizes and distributed in different parts of Iraqi cities, some of which are old, some are new, and others have been modernized by adding new units, which are as follows: Thermal power plants (oil). Iraq has 7 thermal stations to generate energy by heating water and converting it into steam, which is used to rotate steam turbines (with high speeds), which in turn rotate machines to generate electricity with diffe-rent capacities. The stations are distributed among 6 Iraqi governorates. In the capital, Baghdad, there are two stations in Doura, with a capacity of 640 megawatts, and in southern Baghdad, with a capacity of 355 megawatts. As for Nineveh, it includes the North station, which is the largest thermal station in Iraq, with a capacity of 2,100 megawatts. Salah al-Din Governorate owns the Baiji thermal station with a capacity of 1,320 megawatts, while the Musayyib station, which has a capacity of 1,280 megawatts, is located in Babil Governorate, in Dhi Qar, the Nasiriyah station with a capacity of 800 megawatts, and in Basra, the Hartha station with a capacity of 400 megawatts, making this the total production[18]. Hydro power plants. Iraq produces electrical energy through 8 hydroelectric stations that use the energy contained in water complexes such as dams and waterfalls to rotate water turbines at low speeds, which in turn rotate machines to generate electricity with different capacities. Two hydroelectric power stations are located in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, namely the Darbandikhan Dam station with a capa-city of 248 megawatts and the Dokan Dam station with a capacity of 400 megawatts. In Salah al-Din Governorate, there are two Al-Azim Dam stations with a capacity of 27 megawatts and the Samarra Dam station with a capacity of 84 megawatts. Nineveh Governorate includes the Mosul Dam station, which is the largest in Iraq, with a capacity of 1.52 gigawatts, and the second Mosul Dam station with a capacity of 62 megawatts. In Diyala Governorate, the Hamrin Dam station has a capacity of 50 megawatts, and in Anbar Governorate there is a modern dam station with a capacity of 660 megawatts. Thus, the total pro-duction of hydroelectric stations reaches 2,583 megawatts[19]. Thermal power plants (natural gas). Iraq relies heavily on gas stations to generate electricity. Iraq has 26 gas stations that work by converting chemi-cal fuel energy into thermal energy to heat gases that are fed into gas turbines, which convert that energy into kinetic energy first, which works to manage the gas turbine, and then into mechanical energy, which works to rotate the rotor in the gene-rator that works with Magnetic field converts me-chanical energy into electrical energy. The largest number of stations are located in Baghdad, with 11 gas stations: South Baghdad stations 1 and 2, with capacities of 246 and 400 megawatts, and Al-Dora stations 1 and 2, with capacities of 146 and 700 megawatts. It also includes Al-Taji stations 1 and 2, with capacities of 156 and 160 megawatts, in addition to the Al-Quds 1 stations. And 2 and 3, with capacities of 450 for each of 1 and 2, and a capacity of 500 for station 3. It also contains Al-Sadr station with a capacity of 160 megawatts and Al-Rasheed station 1 with a capacity of 94 me-gawatts, so the total production of Baghdad gas stations of electrical energy is 3 thousand and 462 megawatts. In Basra, there are 4 gas stations: the Rumaila station with a capacity of 1,460 mega-watts, the Shatt al-Basra station with a capacity of 1,250 megawatts, the Zubair station, and the Najibiyah station with a production capacity of 500 megawatts each. Kirkuk Governorate contains two Mulla Abdullah stations with a production capacity of 222 megawatts and Taza with a capacity of 292 megawatts, while Dohuk Governorate includes the Dohuk station with a capacity of 500 megawatts, and in Erbil Governorate the Erbil station with a production capacity of 1,500 mega-watts. In turn; Anbar Governorate includes the Anbar gas station with a production capacity of 1,646 megawatts, in Sulaymaniyah, the Sulayma-niyah station with a capacity of 1,500 megawatts, and in Najaf, the Najaf station with a capacity of 430 megawatts. In Diyala, the Mansouriya station has a production capacity of 728 megawatts in addition to the Karbala station, with a production capacity of 250 megawatts, bringing the total production of gas power stations to 14,550 mega-watts [3]. Renewable energy sources. Renewable energy in Iraq is energy generated from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, water, rain, and geothermal heat, in addition to biomass energy. Iraq is not a leading country in this field despite the availability of suitable conditions. The heat of the sun, which some may find intense, is suitable for solar power generation. As for the winds, two types are common for Iraq in Summer. The south-east which may reach a speed of 80 kilometers per hour (50 miles per hour), and from mid-June until mid-September, the prevailing winds are north (from the north and northwest), and Iraq is rich in water resources owing to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and water lakes. In 2006, as a result of the unstable condi-tions and continuous power outages, Iraq witnessed modest projects to exploit solar energy, and they became more clear and serious in late 2010, with the establishment of the “Renewable Energy Center,” and the development of a program for the years 2012 and 2015, centered on production and distribution, and based on the establishment of stations, the production of solar heaters, and the lighting of public roads In 2022, the Renewable Energy Center was established in the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity to confront the process of transfor-mation and reliance on clean energy, The following is a description of the most important types of renewable energy in Iraq [4]. Iraq is endowed with significant solar energy potential, receiving an average solar irradiation of 5-7 kWh/m²/day. A study by the U.S. Department of Energy indicates that Iraq could generate over 400 GW of solar energy, making it one of the best locations for solar power in the Middle East. The wind energy potential in Iraq is also considerable, particularly in regions such as the northern Kurdistan region, where average wind speeds reach suitable levels for energy generation. According to research conducted by Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), Iraq could harness up to 12 GW of wind energy. Biomass potential in Iraq remains largely untapped, with agricultural waste and livestock manure providing possible sources for energy pro-duction. The hydropower potential is limited due to the country’s geographical features, but there are small-scale hydropower plants on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers [5]. Thus, Iraq energy system structure have basis generation by gas and coal thermal power plant. In addition there development hydro power plants and other renewable energy sources such as solar PV. Gas turbines constitute about 61% of installed generation capacity, steam 28%, diesel 3%, hydro 8%. Total electricity production from 2000 to 2022 shown in Figure 1. Figure 1. Evolution of electricity generation sources in Iraq since 2000 S o u r c e: by EIA. Available from: https://www.iea.org/countries/iraq (accessed: 15.09.2024) 2. Wind Farms Placement Investigation in Iraq Condition For wind farms placement investigation, it is necessary to pay attention for different factors, such as: demand in energy, electricity grid in operation, possibilities of wind turbine component deliver and wind power protentional and others. For these reasons, places near major cities within a radius of 400 km have been chosen [6]. To calculate the wind power potential, attention was paid to changing various parameters such as: wind speed, air density, atmospheric pressure and temperature. It is due to modern wind turbine hub height. Modern wind turbine technology has advanced significantly over the past few decades, leading to larger and more efficient turbines designed to harness wind energy effectively. Here are some key points about wind turbine blade length and hub height. Modern wind turbine blades can vary widely in length, typically ranging from about 40 meters (131 feet) to over 80 meters (262 feet) for onshore turbines. Offshore turbines can have blades exceeding 80 meters, with some of the largest reaching up to 100 meters (328 feet) or more. Longer blades capture more wind energy due to a larger swept area. This increases the turbine’s capacity to ge-nerate electricity, especially in areas with lower wind speeds. Advances in materials and design, including the use of lighter and stronger composite materials, have allowed for the development of longer blades without significantly increasing weight [7]. The hub height of modern wind turbines usu-ally ranges from about 80 meters (262 feet) to 150 meters (492 feet) for onshore turbines. Off-shore turbines often have even greater hub heights, sometimes exceeding 200 meters (656 feet). The hub height is crucial as wind speed tends to increase with altitude. By placing turbines at higher elevations, they can access stronger and more consistent winds, leading to higher energy production. The optimal hub height can vary depending on local wind conditions, topography, and environ-mental considerations. Wind resource assessments are typically conducted to determine the best height for a specific location. Thus, the trend in the industry is towards larger turbines, with both blade lengths and hub heights increasing to maximize efficiency and energy output. Innovations in floating wind turbine technology are allowing for the placement of turbines in deeper waters, further pushing the limits of hub heights and blade lengths. The increase in size is often coupled with improvements in turbine efficiency and capacity factors, allowing for more energy generation per unit installed capacity[20]. In the result, it is necessary to recalculate mentioned parameters (wind speed, air density, atmospheric pressure) to wind turbine height. We calculate the wind parameters depending on the external climate conditions using the following mathematical equations [8]. Wind speed was calculated at different height in accordance to formula: where is wind speed at WT altitude, m/s; is wind speed at measurement altitude, m/s; is tower height, m; h1 is wind speed measurement height (weather vane height), m;

About the authors

Aldraisawi Osamah

RUDN University

Email: zhuqiujin1@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0009-5821-9973

Master’s Student of the Departament of Mechanical Engineering of Power Engineering, Academy of Engineering

6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow, 117198, Russian Federation

Oleg Yu. Sigitov

RUDN University

Author for correspondence.
Email: OlegSigitov@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0007-8541-4542
SPIN-code: 9915-2001

Senior Lecturer of the Departament of Power Engineering, Academy of Engineering

6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow, 117198, Russian Federation

References

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