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Abstract This paper presents an evaluation of energy supply strategies for Egypt's power sector and identifies prospects to meet rising electricity demand while addressing energy security and low-carbon development issues. We apply the TIMES energy system model to examine Egypt's energy policy goals as reflected in Egypt's Vision 2030 , and specifically: (a) targeted power generation based on renewable energy under two different scenarios; (b) targeted carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions' mitigation toward low-carbon society development; and (c) constraints on natural gas production for power generation. The quantitative results from the model suggest a need for diversification from predominantly natural gas to a mix of renewable and conventional energy sources in order to improve energy security, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, with the level of diversification changing with different policy options. Although total energy system cost is projected to increase the effects on fossil-fuel dependency, diversity of energy supply-mix, marginal electricity generation price, and GHG mitigation indicate that it may be wise to target promotion of renewable energy for power generation and develop a low-carbon society. Highlights • Egypt energy strategies call for GHG reductions and diversified energy portfolios. • Egypt can diversify from natural gas to a mix-supply to improve energy security. • Enhanced promotion of renewables would reduce fossil fuel dependency by 42% by 2050. • The long-term cost of pursuing renewable technologies is not significantly higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stochastic fast-charging of electric vehicles (EVs) affect the security and economic operation of the distribution power network. Aggregator awareness in the electric power industry is fast growing in tandem with the growing number of EVs. This paper proposes a novel smart techno-economic operation of the electric vehicle charging station (EVCS) in Egypt controlled by the aggregator based on a hierarchal model. The deterministic charging scheduling of the EVs is the upper stage of the model to balance the generated and consumed power of the station and flat the surplus power supplied to the utility grid. Mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) is used to solve the first stage where the peak demand value is reduced to 48.17% (4.5 kW) without using any extra battery storage systems. The second challenging stage is to maximize the charging station profit whilst minimizing the EV charging tariff, which needs a trade-off. In this stage, MILP and Markov Decision Process Reinforcement Learning (MDP-RL) resulted an increase in EVCS revenue by 28.88% and 20.10%, respectively. However, the EVs charging tariff is increased by 21.19%, and 15.03%, respectively. Hence, MDP-RL is an adequate algorithm for such a complex model. The outcomes reveal a sufficient techno-economic hierarchal model concerning the normal operation stated in the literature. [Display omitted] • Aggregator proposes a hierarchal model to control electric vehicle charging station. • Balancing the generated and consumed power from the DC fast-charging station. • Peak-to-average charging demand is reduced using mixed-integer linear programming. • Aggregator maximizes the profit and minimizes tariff of the charging station. • Markov decision process reinforcement learning is applied in maximizing the profit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating drivers of energy use and its associated CO 2 emissions changes is important for sustainable development. Using input-output structural decomposition analysis, this paper decomposed the energy use and resulting CO 2 emissions drivers of changes in Egypt's wide economy, particularly in its agricultural sector, between 1972 and 2014. Fuel sources dominating energy use and energy-related CO 2 emissions in the agriculture sector were explicitly identified. Affluence and demographic effects were the dominant drivers at both investigation levels. Household and government final consumption changes and exports expansion were important determinants behind changes in energy use and resulting CO 2 emissions at the aggregate level from the final demand destination perspective. In the agricultural sector, petroleum and oil were the dominant fuel types. The technological effect was the main driver restraining energy use growth at the aggregate level. However, technological improvements have not been sufficient to make up for the evolving economy and consumption levels. Conversely, technological changes adversely impacted energy-related CO 2 emissions at the economy-wide level, and both considered environmental indicators in the agricultural sector. Overall, upgrading technology and improving the final demand structure will be critical for Egypt to promote decoupling in the future. [Display omitted] • The energy use and energy-related CO 2 emissions changes in Egypt are decomposed. • Technological, economic system efficiency, and final demand effects were analyzed. • Final demand negative impacts outpaced technology improvements adverse effects. • The technology effect in agricultural emissions had an unexpected tendency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper focuses on Egypt''s three independent power projects (IPPs), evaluating the context in which they were developed as well as how the context has changed. Initially the Egyptian government planned a series of 15 gas-fired, steam cycle, independent power projects. The first three, developed by InterGen, Edison and Electricite de France (EdF), yielded among the lowest generation tariffs across the developing world at US$0.025 per kilowatt hour (kWh). After the currency devaluation of 2002–2003, however, plans were shelved. Current plans, through to 2007, are now to be executed by the state-owned Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC), with concessionary funding provided by multilateral and bilateral agencies. Although capacity charges (in pound equivalency) have doubled, the power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed with each of the IPPs have held. Furthermore, a new regulatory body has had no impact on the existing contracts. While the original developers have sold their equity stake, new firms, with an increased appetite for risk, are stepping in to take their place. Meanwhile Egypt''s liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry has developed over night; in just 2 years the country has become the world''s sixth largest exporter, which raises questions about the long-term sustainability of gas-fired plants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper develops a regional TIMES modelling framework for the electricity sector of the Eastern Nile Basin region, including Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan, to assess the potential of energy trading for cross-border collaboration in this rapidly growing sector. Four alternative scenarios are developed for the 2014–2050 period to assess national and regional benefits of alternative energy development strategies. The study finds that electricity trading scenarios out-perform a reference scenario that assumes no energy trading, lowering systems cost by 4.5–7.2%. Total systems costs are lower, even when transmission costs for trade are considered. Costs are also lower with increased generation from renewables compared to investments without regional trade. Investing in renewables has important co-benefits, such as improved energy security and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Supporting energy trade not only reduces systems costs, but can also strengthen cooperation in the region, as reflected in the energy trading efforts of the East African Power Pool and the transboundary collaboration efforts of the Nile Basin Initiative. • TIMES model provides insights into the implications of technologies. • Regional electricity trade reduces the total system costs and GHG emissions. • Diversification of the primary energy supply-mix improves energy security. • Contribution of renewable energy technologies is significant to supply electricity. • Electricity trade can strengthen cooperation in the Eastern Nile region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]