KAUST and K.A.CARE have partnered to study solar irradiation and atmospheric weather conditions in Saudi Arabia, leveraging K.A.CARE's Renewable Resources Atlas Project. The collaboration uses KAUST's Shaheen II supercomputer to simulate weather and atmospheric conditions from 2005-2018. The long-term goal is daily forecasting of weather and air quality across the Arabian Peninsula. Why it matters: This initiative will provide crucial data for renewable energy development and environmental monitoring in the region, supporting Saudi Arabia's sustainability goals.
The KAUST Solar Future 2014 meeting was held on the university's campus from November 7-11, hosted by the Solar & Photovoltaics Engineering Research Center (SPERC). Over 30 speakers from KAUST and international universities discussed current and future advances in solar and photovoltaic technologies. The meeting facilitated interactions between visiting professors, KAUST faculty, and students, with poster sessions allowing students to present their work. Why it matters: Such events promote KAUST's mission to become a leading institution in renewable energy science and engineering and attract new talent to the university.
KAUST held a research conference on Synergistic Approaches in Solar Energy Conversion from February 25-27, bringing together KAUST researchers and international colleagues. The conference, organized by the KAUST Solar Center (KSC), focused on performance-limiting factors, emerging synergistic approaches, and methods to overcome current performance limits in solar energy. Yves Gnanou and Professor Iain McCulloch highlighted KAUST's commitment to solar energy research and the KSC's role in collaborative, applied solutions. Why it matters: The conference underscores KAUST's dedication to advancing solar energy technologies and fostering international collaboration to address regional and global energy challenges.
KAUST hosted the Solar Future 2015 Symposium, gathering experts from academia and industry to discuss advancements in solar energy conversion. The symposium, organized by the KAUST Solar and Photovoltaics Engineering Research Center (SPERC), featured keynote presentations, plenary talks, and poster sessions. Discussions covered emerging and mature technologies aimed at achieving high efficiency and low cost in solar energy. Why it matters: The event highlights KAUST's role in fostering innovation and collaboration in renewable energy, aligning with Saudi Arabia's broader sustainability goals.
KAUST hosted the Emerging Concepts and Materials in Solar Energy Conversion research conference from October 31 to November 2. The conference gathered scientists to discuss solar energy research, including perovskite solar cells, quantum dot solar cells, and photocatalysis. Rawabi Holding's chairman expressed pride in KAUST's solar research and its potential to address global challenges. Why it matters: By bringing together global experts and fostering discussions on innovative solar technologies, KAUST is contributing to advancements in renewable energy and sustainable solutions for the region.
KAUST researchers have developed a passive cooling system that uses solar energy to evaporate water and regenerate salt for reuse, achieving temperatures as low as 3.6 degrees Celsius. The system uses ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) due to its high solubility and low cost. The crystallized salt stores solar energy and can be reused for cooling when needed. Why it matters: This off-grid design offers a sustainable and inexpensive cooling solution for communities in hot regions with limited electricity access, addressing a critical need exacerbated by climate change.
KAUST researchers have developed solar panels with 4D-printed legs that readjust their position to track the sun's movement without consuming electrical energy. The design uses smart materials that contract when exposed to sunlight, tilting the panel towards the sun. A multidisciplinary team of interns collaborated on the project, integrating physics, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering expertise. Why it matters: This low-cost, energy-efficient solar-tracking technology could significantly increase the energy output of solar cells, offering a viable renewable energy solution for the region and beyond.
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.