NOMADD, a KAUST startup, offers a waterless and remotely operated system to clean solar panels, addressing the challenge of dust accumulation which can reduce solar panel efficiency by 0.4-0.8% daily. KAUST recently signed its first royalty-bearing license agreement for the NOMADD system. The fifth version of the NOMADD system is 70% lighter and uses less than half the power of previous versions, while also being cheaper to manufacture. Why it matters: This technology is crucial for Saudi Arabia to achieve its ambitious goal of generating a third of its electricity from solar power by 2032, amidst the challenges posed by desert dust.
MBZUAI computer vision graduate Yahia Dalbah pivoted from electrical engineering to a role at FortyGuard, a clean tech startup focused on geospatial analysis of outdoor temperatures. He will be a research and development engineer, responsible for machine learning and computer vision algorithms. FortyGuard provides governments and businesses with tools to measure and analyze factors affecting heat and temperature. Why it matters: This highlights the potential for AI education in the UAE to drive innovation in sustainability and environmental solutions through local startups.
KAUST Associate Professor Derya Baran was named one of Forbes’ 20 Women Behind Middle Eastern Tech Brands for her work developing iyris SecondSky, a greenhouse roofing product. SecondSky uses nanoparticle additives to block heat while allowing light to pass through, reducing energy consumption by up to 40% and water use by 30%. The technology is already used in farms across 12 countries and is being considered for residential and commercial construction in Saudi Arabia. Why it matters: This recognition highlights the growing role of women in Middle Eastern tech and the potential for KAUST-developed technologies to address sustainability challenges in the region.
KAUST spin-out company NOMADD, which specializes in robotic PV cleaning systems, has secured a Series B investment from Saudi construction company CEPCO. The investment will support NOMADD's project pipeline and growth ambitions, enabling them to scale operations and serve more customers. CEPCO will also advise on technology development and local manufacturing in Saudi Arabia. Why it matters: This investment validates KAUST's innovation fund strategy and supports the deployment of sustainable energy solutions in the region, leveraging local expertise and manufacturing.
KAUST Professor Derya Baran and her team at startup iyris have developed transparent solar panels that can turn windows into a source of renewable energy. The technology allows buildings to generate their own electricity, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030's goals for sustainable energy. iyris' first customer is the Red Sea Farm, another KAUST-based business, which aims to use the windows to improve plant growth and crop yield. Why it matters: This innovation could significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote sustainable urban development in the region, where cooling demands drive high electricity consumption.
MIT Professor Ahmed F. Ghoniem delivered a keynote at KAUST's Spring Enrichment Program discussing clean energy solutions for future cities. He emphasized a portfolio approach including electrochemical, solar thermochemical, and plasma technologies for renewable energy storage. Ghoniem highlighted the economic opportunities arising from clean energy technology deployment, R&D, and job creation. Why it matters: The focus on renewable energy and storage aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals for sustainable urban development and diversification of the energy sector.
KAUST's Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) is developing solar-powered seawater desalination technologies, including the MEDAD cycle which combines adsorption desalination (AD) and multi-effect distillation (MED). The MEDAD cycle, developed by Professor Kim Choon Ng, doubles water production at the same temperature, reducing costs to $0.48/m3 compared to $1.201/m3 for multi-stage flash distillation. A 100 m3/day commercial-scale MEDAD project was commissioned in Riyadh in 2017 in collaboration with KACST, and a larger 2,000 m3/day project is planned for Yanbu. Why it matters: This highlights Saudi Arabia's move towards sustainable energy and the role of research institutions like KAUST in developing cost-effective desalination technologies suitable for the region.
KAUST startup uODS signed an MoU with Saudi Aramco Base Oil Company (Luberef) to develop and deploy technology removing sulfur from hydrocarbons. The uODS process, based on KAUST's sonochemistry research, reduces sulfur in marine fuels to meet IMO 2020 regulations. Luberef aims to reduce its environmental footprint by piloting the uODS technology at its Jeddah refineries, with uODS set to produce 10 tons per day of desulfurized fuel for testing. Why it matters: The partnership demonstrates KAUST's role in addressing Saudi Arabia's environmental goals and showcases the potential of university spin-offs to contribute to a more sustainable oil industry in the region.