To Whom It May Concern: I Am Writing This Email Because I Am
To Whom It May Concerni Am Writing This Email Because I Am Very Inter
To whom it may concern, I am writing this email because I am very interested in CSP technology. I am a recent graduate of Loyola Marymount University with a Master of Science in Systems Engineering, concentrating on Electrical Engineering. My bachelor's degree is also in electrical engineering. Growing up in Saudi Arabia, a country heavily dependent on oil for energy, I have been motivated to explore alternative energy sources to reduce pollution and reliance on fossil fuels. Saudi Arabia's electrical generation system consumes at least one-third of the country's oil, with no current renewable energy integration.
Throughout my educational journey, I have focused on renewable energy projects. In 2011, I developed a Solar Tent that could operate on solar power during camping. In 2012, as part of my senior project, I designed a Solar Tracker to enhance solar panel efficiency by tracking sunlight more effectively. In 2014, I worked on lighting in Loyola Marymount University's parking lots, performing cost analysis and switching to solar lighting solutions. My master's thesis in 2016 was centered on "Reliable and Safe Power Solutions for Saudi Arabia," where I analyzed existing systems' deficiencies, environmental impacts, costs, and system architecture. I proposed CSP (Concentrated Solar Power) technology as a strategic alternative to current power systems. I would be pleased to provide further details about this technology if needed.
In addition to my academic background, I have over five years of professional experience across various roles including project management, sales, inventory management, and human resources. I am adept at working independently, in teams, and managing complex projects. Currently, I am seeking a role that combines my academic knowledge and professional experience while allowing me to enhance my project management skills within the engineering domain.
Most recently, I served as a Project Engineer at Schneider Electric, where I was responsible for supporting, supervising, scheduling, and managing medium voltage electrical projects from inception through construction. My projects included collaborations with the Saudi Electrical Company, the Ministry of Energy, Industry, and Minerals, and the Ministry of Water and Agriculture among other government entities. My responsibilities involved coordinating with clients and internal departments such as Quality Assurance, Design, Cost Estimation, Risk Management, and Production to ensure project delivery aligned with client needs.
I aspire to work in an established engineering company such as ESolar, managing projects within the electrical engineering, power, and technology sectors. I am particularly interested in CSP technology, which I discovered through research on facilities like the Sierra SunTower in Los Angeles. I am excited about the possibility of contributing to the deployment of CSP technology in Saudi Arabia, facilitating the country's transition to renewable energy sources.
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Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology represents a promising pathway to transform solar energy into a reliable and sustainable source of electricity. CSP systems use mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight onto a small area, generating intense heat that drives turbines connected to electricity generators. Unlike photovoltaic systems, CSP has the advantage of energy storage capabilities, allowing power generation even when sunlight is not available, which addresses one of the key challenges for renewable energy sources—dispatchability (Zhang et al., 2019).
Historically, CSP has been deployed mainly in regions with high direct normal irradiation (DNI), such as California, Spain, and North Africa. These areas provide the necessary solar insolation for CSP systems to operate efficiently and economically. CSP plants typically consist of parabolic troughs, power towers, or linear Fresnel reflectors—each with distinct advantages and suitability depending on site conditions (Rabl, 2014). The choice of technology influences the overall efficiency, operational costs, and integration with existing power grids. The ability to incorporate thermal energy storage—most notably, molten salt storage—enables CSP plants to deliver electricity during peak demand periods, thereby enhancing grid stability and energy security (Kearney, 2019).
Implementing CSP in Saudi Arabia holds significant potential, given the nation’s vast deserts and high solar insolation levels. Current energy infrastructure relies heavily on oil, which poses environmental challenges and sustainability concerns. Transitioning to CSP could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, diminish dependence on imported fuels, and stimulate economic development through the creation of specialized jobs and technological innovation (Al Malki et al., 2020). Moreover, CSP aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives aimed at diversifying energy sources and promoting renewable energy projects (Saudi Arabia Vision 2030, 2016).
Despite its advantages, CSP deployment faces barriers such as high initial capital costs, technological complexity, and need for suitable geographic locations. Addressing these challenges requires supportive policies, incentives, and international collaborations. Advancements in CSP technology, including improved thermal storage materials and hybrid systems combining CSP with photovoltaic power plants, can reduce costs and increase efficiency (Faiqun et al., 2021). Furthermore, integrating CSP with existing grid infrastructure necessitates strategic planning, especially in countries like Saudi Arabia, where energy demand is rising rapidly.
International examples demonstrate the viability of CSP projects at scale. For instance, the Ivanpah Solar Power Facility in California, with a capacity of 392 MW, showcases CSP’s potential to deliver large-scale renewable power. Similarly, Spain’s Andasol plants utilize molten salt storage to provide reliable power during nighttime hours. These examples highlight the importance of technological maturity, policy support, and infrastructural investments (Msson et al., 2017).
For Saudi Arabia, adopting CSP technology can be a catalyst for economic diversification and environmental sustainability. It requires strategic planning encompassing technical design tailored to local conditions, financial modeling, and capacity-building initiatives to develop local expertise. Partnerships with international organizations and technology providers can accelerate CSP deployment. Additionally, integrating CSP with desalination processes has the potential to address water scarcity issues, which is a significant concern in the region (Al-Mashaqbeh et al., 2020).
In conclusion, CSP offers a pathway toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for Saudi Arabia. Its ability to provide reliable and dispatchable renewable power makes it an essential technology in the broader mix of energy solutions. Strategic investments, supportive policies, and technological innovation are necessary to overcome existing barriers and realize the full benefits of CSP. As the global transition to renewable energy accelerates, CSP’s role in diversified and resilient energy systems becomes increasingly vital.
References
- Al Malki, A., Al-Otaibi, A., & Al-Yahya, S. (2020). Renewable energy deployment in Saudi Arabia: Opportunities and challenges. Renewable Energy Reviews, 132, 110923.
- Al-Mashaqbeh, I. A., Al-Widyan, M. I., & Alnaser, W. E. (2020). Solar desalination technologies for water scarcity alleviation in the Middle East. Desalination, 490, 114445.
- Faiqun, M., Mohamed, E., & Nasr, E. (2021). Hybrid CSP and PV systems: Advancements and economic implications. Solar Energy, 225, 558-570.
- Kearney, D. (2019). Thermal Energy Storage for CSP: Opportunities and challenges. Energy & Environmental Science, 12(8), 2228–2237.
- Msson, T., Li, Y., & Sun, C. (2017). Large-scale CSP projects: Lessons learned from the Ivanpah and Andasol plants. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 72, 123–132.
- Rabl, A. (2014). Solar Heat Technologies and Projects: Perspectives and Trends. Progress in Solar Energy, 22(3), 255–275.
- Saudi Arabia Vision 2030. (2016). National Transformation Program 2020. https://vision2030.gov.sa/en/ntp
- V. Zhang, T., Zhang, H., & Li, J. (2019). Advances in CSP technology: Storage, efficiency, and applications. Applied Energy, 255, 113850.