Saudi Arabia

Highlights in 2017
Highlights in 2017

 

New clean energy innovation policies and/or strategies

In order to transfer the Kingdom to a Knowledge-based economy, KACST (King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology) has developed a strategic plan for the development of science, technology and innovation, that serves the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. For the STC (Science, Technology and Innovation) Policy, The Council of Ministers Resolution (No. 411), was issued on 12/09/1436H stipulating that King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) to have a Board of Directors to replace its High Committee.

Top clean energy innovation successes in 2017

  • Saudi Arabia and United States signed a MoU (December 2017) on clean fossil fuels and carbon management, to increase collaboration between the two countries in the areas of supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power cycles; carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS); chemical looping and oxy-combustion; the energy-water nexus, as well as other areas of mutual interest related to clean fossil fuels and carbon management. The two countries will exchange experts, engineers, and scientists and facilitate the transfer of technology.
  • Saudi Arabia and United Kingdom signed a MoU (March 2018) on Clean Energy to work closer on developing technologies that will reduce carbon emissions while growing their respective economies. As part of the agreement, the two countries will share innovation, technical knowledge and expertise on clean energy, including smart grids, electric vehicles and Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage.
  • Saudi Aramco established a CO2 Utilization Chair at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in 2017. The main objective is to build technical and research capacities in the area of CO2 Utilization, and to advance CO2 conversion chemistry. Saudi Aramco will fund this chair with $0.5MM/Year.
  • Launching of the Home of Innovation. The Home of Innovation™ is a SABIC growth initiative that combines marketing, innovation and technology to create demand and grow business on a local, regional and global level. The Home of Innovation has over 200 advanced systems, materials and products including many that reduce the energy and water use. The facility includes a modern home designed with locally available technology to achieve a net-zero energy balance (LEED platinum certified). If all homes in Saudi Arabia were as efficient as the demonstration house it would reduce CO2 emissions by the equivalent of six coal-fired power plant.

Top activities delivered in support of the Innovation Challenges in 2017

Saudi Arabia and the United States conducted an expert workshop on September 25-29, 2017 in Houston, under the theme of Accelerating Breakthrough Innovation in Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage. The outcomes of this workshop are planned to be announced during MI-3 Ministerial Meeting in May.

Collaborations

Memorandum of Understanding on clean fossil fuels and carbon management
Countries: United States
Type of collaboration: public-public
Start date: 2017
Amount of funding: 1st call: €30 million

The Memorandum of Understanding aims to increase collaboration between the two countries in the areas of supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power cycles; carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS); chemical looping and oxy-combustion; the energy-water nexus, as well as other areas of mutual interest related to clean fossil fuels and carbon management. The two countries will exchange experts, engineers, and scientists and facilitate the transfer of technology.

Memorandum of Understanding on clean energy
Countries: United Kingdom
Type of collaboration: public-public
Start date: 2018

The Memorandum of Understanding commits both countries to work closer on developing technologies that will reduce carbon emissions while growing their respective economies. As part of the agreement, the two countries will share innovation, technical knowledge and expertise on clean energy, including smart grids, electric vehicles and Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage.

Clean Fuel Initiative
Countries: Saudi Arabia (KACST, SABIC), United Kingdom (Oxford), Germany
Type of collaboration: public-private
Start date: 2016
End date: 2021
Funding amount: $10 million

In line with Saudi Vision 2030, this initiative aims to develop a model for the production of catalysts to obtain a clean fuel free of sulfur and nitrogen compounds, as well as to develop fuel.

Additional information:

  • Production of hydrogen from heavy crude oil using unconventional technology (Microwave technology)
  • Fuel additives as an alternative to MTBE for the production of high efficiency clean fuel

KACST-UC Berkeley Center of Excellence for Nanomaterials for Clean Energy Applications (CENCEA)
Countries: Saudi Arabia (KACST), United States (UC Berkeley)
Type of collaboration: public-private
Start date: 2016
End date: 2021
Funding amount: $5 million

CENCEA aims to innovate nanomaterials to develop solutions to challenges in renewable and cleaner energy. The centre aims to develop strong research collaborations between KACST and UC Berkeley on the subject of innovative nanomaterials for CO2 capture and conversion, storage and production of clean energy to develop solutions for challenges in renewable and cleaner energy sources.

Additional information:

  • CENCEA collaboration led to the discovery of a new class of woven materials – materials that have the potential to have unusual mechanical strength, encompass dynamic characteristic (multifunctional capability to sense, trigger mechanical motion, and/or react or shut down pores), computing frameworks, or electron donor-acceptors in one crystal.
  • CENCEA collaboration led to the development of ZIF CO2 capture adsorbents as well as ZIFs for volatile organic compound removal from humid air

Centre Of excellence for Solid state lighting
Countries: United States
Start date: 2018
End date: 2023
Funding amount: $1 million/year

The centre will capitalize on leverage and combine research expertise and capabilities at KACST, KAUST and UCSB to develop the next generation Solid State Lighting (SSL) technology that will bring immediate benefits to KSA in terms of energy efficiency and development of a high technology economy. The center will diversify the economic trajectory of the Kingdom and render KSA a leader in SSL technology. By developing advanced SSL technology, we aim to promote energy savings in society, decrease energy requirements for next-generation lighting systems, and improve quality of life through technology development and education.