Conducting a feasibility study for generating power from renewable energy resources and utilizing High Voltage Direct Current for interconnection in the Middle East and North Africa

Electricity consumption is on the rise as the global population is increasing. The need of energy has been discussed in length over the years. Oil and gas have been the primary resource for generators fuel. As oil and gas are a finite resource, an alternative resource that does not harm the environment is needed to generate energy. The Middle East and North Africa have a huge potential for using solar and wind energy to generate electricity as MENA region has one of the highest levels on solar irradiation. A new system of transferring the power through the MENA region is proposed. HVDC can be utilized to transfer energy over large distance with minimal losses where it is used for an interconnection grid between the MENA countries. Moreover, factors affecting future project, in the MENA region, such as the political atmosphere of the MENA countries, and how it affects the decision of constructing a project are analyzed. Secondly, the infrastructure and readiness of the MENA countries toward building Renewable energy and HVDC substation. Thirdly, risks and constrains of implementing these projects. Fourthly, the financial cost of the RE and HVDC projects. Fifthly, how social media and news orient the people thinking and decision making. Sixthly, existing rules and regulations in the energy sector are investigated. Finally, recommendations were given to each factor to ensure the smooth transition to produce green energy by utilizing renewable energy

Multi temporal satellite images for growth detection and urban sprawl analysis; Dubai City, UAE

Urbanization is a spatiotemporal process that has significant role in economic, social, and environmental structures. Spatiotemporal analysis for urban growth is vital for city management planning. With highly recognized financial and social developing trends, Dubai City, UAE appears as one of most challenging cities in terms of research and preparation toward a smart city aspect. Integrated technologies of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) facilitate urban growth detection and its relation to population distribution. In this study Multi-temporal, medium-resolution Landsat images were used to detect and analyze the urbanization trend in Dubai over the last three decades(1986-2019). Moreover, the influence of urbanization on the aspects of smart city tendency was investigated. The study methodology consisted of three parts. First, classification algorithms along with change detection, segmentation, and extraction of urban areas were used to obtain land Use/land Cover (LULC) maps. Second, Shannon's entropy was used to investigate Dubai's growth toward compact or sprawl city based on two city centers and a major highway. Finally, CA-Markov, associated with the digital elevation model and road map of Dubai, was used to simulate the urban change for 2030, 2050, and 2100. With more than 90% overall accuracy, the statistical analysis for LULC percentages and Shannons entropy values indicated that Dubai experienced a considerable increase in urban fabric while maintaining a compact growth. CA-Markov model estimated 3% urban growth by 2030, which would result in potential loss of green areas and open spaces. This study could be used in improving planning and management methods to achieve sustainable urban growth