NEOM: Saudi Arabia

CHALLENGE:

NEOM, a visionary project to build a forward-thinking and sustainable community in Saudi Arabia, faces the challenge of transitioning from fossil-based systems to renewable energy infrastructure as it commits to building a sustainable city.

For NEOM engineers to maximize Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) on-site, they needed load profiles, a breakdown of electric, cooling, and heating loads, and detailed modeling of the design. Complicating matters further, each planned site in the phased project was distinct, precluding the application of a universal formula.

SOLUTION:

Xendee, partnered with NEOM to provide expertise and technological modeling solutions. By leveraging Xendee's advanced energy modeling, NEOM integrates solar panels, battery systems, and innovative technologies like hydrogen to achieve maximum DER coverage and meet their clean energy goals. Xendee primarily models "The Line '' which is a 170-kilometer landscape of extraordinary diversity. Using Xendee's tool, NEOM could map out each of the 7 different regions inside, and position DERs uniquely within each one. Additional facilities that Xendee is currently working on include Sindalah, Land of the Line (LOTL), Gulf of Aqaba (GoA), and Oxagon.

RESULTS:

By utilizing Xendee's flexible techno-economic analysis, NEOM continues to optimize DER efficiency and models them alongside more centralized renewable technologies such as wind power. Through this continuous iteration process with Xendee, NEOM can make educated decisions, minimize costs, and maximize returns on investment.

The first destinations are set to debut in 2024, with a vision of welcoming one million residents by 2030 and nine million residents by 2045. With Xendee's partnership, NEOM is on track to create a city that runs entirely on renewable energy, promotes sustainable transportation solutions, and preserves a significant portion of land for nature. In the preliminary finding, Xendee has helped NEOM achieve maximum DER penetration considering various constraints. 

For more information about NEOM and its groundbreaking vision, please visit neom.com.