Introduction

Saudi Arabia is actively transitioning towards clean energy within its Vision 2030 framework, aiming to diversify its energy mix away from fossil fuels. The Kingdom is enhancing energy efficiency and clean technologies to tackle environmental challenges and support sustainable development. The Interdisciplinary Research Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (IRC-SES) plays a key role in fostering this vision by facilitating locally important, globally impactful sustainable energy R&D. Evolving significantly, the Center has transformed from its Core-RE origins to its current state, showcasing its dynamic growth and pivotal role in Saudi Arabia as pioneering national energy center.

Mission

To facilitate locally important, globally impactful sustainable energy R&D that contribute to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

Scope of Work

IRC-SES is tackling aspects related to sustainable energy starting from providing sustainable energy, transmission, utilization and enabling through technology assessment and policy formulation.

National Mission

• Increase share of renewable energy sources in electricity generation to ~50% by 2035.
• Become the fourth largest producer of EVs and EV’s batteries by 2030.
• Achieve net zero emissions by 2060.
• Reduce the cost of clean Hydrogen to <$1 /kg by 2030.
• Reuse raw materials and products in industry.

Innovation Goals

• Develop structures for renewable energy devices that reduces power degradation by 40% and prolongs product lifespan by 20% by 2030.
• Develop AI-based monitoring, cooling, and cleaning technologies to achieve 20% life cycle cost reduction and 55% efficiency retention of Solar PV system by 2030.
• Demonstrate 10 kW redox flow batteries with cost effective electrolyte, enabling 100 US dollars per kilowatt-hour (kWh) by 2030
• Develop control and adaptive protection strategies to ensure reliable and stable power transmission and distribution systems with 30% RE penetration by 2030.
• Develop bidirectional charging controller to reduce the charging system cost from 1000 to 900 USD by 2029.
• Increasing the efficiency of electric motor drives from 90% to 95% by 2029.
• Innovate heat–resistant, durable batteries for electric vehicles, achieving energy density exceeding 400 Wh/Kg and > 1000 cycles by 2029.
• Develop dynamic building envelopes and optimized hybrid systems that reduce building energy consumption by 70% by 2030.
• Self-Sustaining Building Energy Generation by On-Site Renewables, Storage, and Advanced Resources Management System by 2030.
• Establish a reliable, adaptable, and cost-effective hydrogen production system, fully powered by renewable energy sources, by 2030.
• Set national battery recycling policies and develop combined techniques to achieve 75% recycling efficiency by 2030.

Achieving Grand Challenges