A KAUST-led team used acoustic technology and net sampling to explore ocean depths in 146 locations worldwide. They found that the biomass of pelagic organisms in the deep sea is much larger than previously thought, especially below productive waters. Deep-sea fauna migrates to shallower areas to feed, transporting carbon to the deep sea. Why it matters: This suggests the ocean's carbon pump is more effective than previously understood, with implications for climate change mitigation strategies.
KAUST researchers are using black soldier fly (BSF) larvae to transform organic waste into protein-rich animal feed and high-quality organic fertilizer. BSF larvae consume organic matter and reduce waste volume significantly in a 12-day period. Organic Waste Management Solutions (OWMS), a startup launched by the team, is scaling up and commercializing the BSF-based process. Why it matters: This innovative approach offers a sustainable solution for waste management in the region, generating lower carbon emissions compared to existing technologies like incineration and landfilling.
Edama Organic Solutions received $780,000 USD seed investment from the KAUST Innovation Fund. KAUST has also signed a contract to build a commercial-scale composting facility for Edama on its Thuwal campus, with a recycling capacity of 5,500 tons. Edama will manufacture and sell products, including Edama Desert Compost and Edama Palm Peat. Why it matters: This initiative promotes sustainable waste management practices in Saudi Arabia by turning organic waste into valuable soil improvement products tailored for desert environments.
Edama Organic Solutions, a KAUST startup, has opened a new organic waste recycling facility in the KAUST Research and Technology Park. The facility is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to use technology for waste processing and desert agriculture solutions. It will recycle 100% of KAUST's food and green waste, producing about 4,500 m3 of soil improver. Why it matters: This supports Saudi Vision 2030 by addressing environmental pollution and promoting sustainable agriculture in arid regions, aligning with the Saudi Green Initiative.
KAUST researchers cultivated the extremophile microalga Cyanidioschyzon merolae, which thrives in hot, acidic conditions, using commercial fertilizer at lab and outdoor large-scale culture. This was part of the Development of Algal Biotechnology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (DABKSA) project, a collaboration between MEWA and KAUST. The microalgae consume pollutants and CO2 to produce biomass like proteins and oils, which can be used as sustainable animal feed. Why it matters: This positions Saudi Arabia as a potential leader in algal technologies, strengthens food independence, and contributes to the country's carbon net-zero goal by 2060.
KAUST's Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies (CREST) is hosting a webinar on grid-scale energy storage. The talk will cover the evolution of grid-scale energy storage over the past 15 years, highlighting major drivers in KSA and internationally. Dr. Marek Kubik, Director of BESS at NEOM, will be the speaker. Why it matters: This event signals the growing importance of energy storage solutions in Saudi Arabia's renewable energy strategy, particularly within ambitious projects like NEOM.
KAUST has launched a pilot algae facility as part of the DAB-KSA project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA). The facility aims to produce high-protein algae for animal feed, particularly for fish and poultry, using outdoor ponds and closed tubes. KAUST is positioning itself as a center for algal research, leveraging the Kingdom's resources like sunlight, saltwater, and CO2. Why it matters: This initiative could significantly reduce Saudi Arabia's reliance on imported animal feed and contribute to food security.
Nate Hagens from the University of Minnesota spoke at KAUST's Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) 2018 about the intersection of energy, human behavior, and economics. Hagens argued that society functions as an energy-dissipating "superorganism," with human preferences correlated with increasing energy needs. He emphasized that energy, not money, is the real capital, but global society is running out of it. Why it matters: The talk highlights the importance of viewing society through an ecological lens, particularly in the context of the GCC region's reliance on energy resources.