Power conservation: SEC chief calls for pragmatic measures

(MENAFN- Arab News) JEDDAH: The 5th Saudi electrical networks conference on smart grids and sustainable energy (SASG 2015) was held in Jeddah on Tuesday.
Saleh H. Alawaji deputy minister of electricity inaugurated the conference covering areas like smart grids renewable energy and grid integration sustainable computing and communications smart cities and automation technologies.
The conference served its purpose of bringing together researchers designers developers and practitioners interested in the field of smart grids green information and communication technology.
The event came at a time when there is high growth and demand for electricity which reached 10 percent this year and costs rising for reforming energy electricity production loss of electricity in transmission evolving of smart networks and making available experts and tools for the benefit of service providers.
Al-Awaji said the use of isolators in residential building projects can help rationalize electricity consumption; residential buildings consume 70 to 100 percent electricity for air-conditioning.
Using thermal insulation in buildings may cost five percent more on construction costs but this investment can be recovered in five years.
Thermal insulation can help in consuming less electricity. Even if 70 percent electricity is consumed by air-conditioners 40 percent can be saved and used for other purposes.
Laith Al-Bassam chief executive of Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) said there are many challenges that can be overcome by pragmatic measures.
Experts felt that there could be tremendous improvement in the energy sector with the integration of renewable with conventional energy sources for electricity production and water desalination.