How Saudi Arabia Can Stop Desertification and Become a Leader in Sustainable Energy

Saudi Arabia, with its resources and financial capabilities, has the potential to become a global role model for combating desertification and utilizing renewable energy. Despite ambitious projects like the “Saudi Green Initiative” and NEOM, the country has not yet fully realized its potential. This article outlines an innovative approach designed to encourage Saudi Arabia to take concrete action.

Summary of the Concept

Our approach combines:

• Ultralight Optical Systems: These systems enable maximum energy yield and near-complete absorption of solar radiant heat while costing only a fraction of the mirrors used in parabolic and tower power plants.
• Structures Made from Thermally Treated Desert Sand:
  • Instead of concrete or steel constructions, these structures are made from locally thermally treated desert sand, which is abundantly available on-site. These structures offer extreme hardness, durability, and sustainability, forming the basis for solar modules, nets, and other applications.
• Net Systems: Vertical nets stretched between the structures block sand movements and extract moisture from the air. These innovative technical possibilities would not only stop desertification but also create new agricultural land.
• Thermal Energy and Hydrogen Production:
  • A hybrid solution combining solar energy and the near-cost-free availability of natural gas enables continuous energy production around the clock (24/7).
  • As natural gas is an already stored energy source, there is no need for additional energy storage systems such as batteries, significantly reducing system costs and complexity.

The Combined Potential of Wind, Solar, Natural Gas, and Artificial Intelligence in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has some of the largest natural gas reserves worldwide:

• Reserves: The country possesses natural gas reserves of approximately 7.15 trillion cubic meters.
• Production: Annually, around 114 billion cubic meters of natural gas are extracted.

In addition to exceptional solar resources and the near-cost-free availability of air and desert sand, Saudi Arabia boasts impressive wind energy potential. In the country’s massive mountain ranges, average wind power density reaches up to 6000 W/m², providing an excellent basis for harnessing wind energy.

Advantages of Wind Energy Utilization:

In the Tabuk province of Saudi Arabia, extraordinary natural resources converge:

• Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI): Approximately 3000 kWh/m² per year – ideal for solar thermal systems.

• High Wind Energy Density: In some regions, wind power reaches up to 6000 W/m², enabling efficient wind energy utilization.

All-in-One: Maximizing Potential Through Hybrid Solutions

This combination provides an opportunity to integrate wind and solar technologies at a single site:

1. Maximum Energy Yield: By simultaneously utilizing wind and solar energy, constant and reliable energy supply can be ensured.
2. Thermochemical Hydrogen Production: With constant energy availability from wind and sun, hydrogen can be preferably produced thermochemically. This reduces costs compared to conventional electrolysis and increases efficiency.
3. Cost Efficiency: Both technologies can share the same infrastructure, reducing construction and operating costs.
4. Sustainability: These synergies allow the production of green energy and hydrogen in large quantities at minimal costs.

Importance for Planning:

This region demonstrates how Saudi Arabia can become a leader in sustainable energy production through a thoughtful combination of wind and solar resources, modern technology like the HybridSolarSystem (HSS), and thermochemical methods for hydrogen production.

1. Direct Access to Wind: Unlike flat regions where wind turbines must be installed on high towers, the wind in Saudi Arabia’s mountains is directly accessible at ground level, enabling efficient harvesting.
2. Combination with Solar Energy: These areas offer optimal conditions for hybrid energy systems that utilize both solar and wind resources.
3. Maximizing Energy Output: With power densities of up to 6000 W/m², exceptionally high yields can be achieved, making energy infrastructure even more cost-effective.
4. Cost Savings: Ground-level deployment of innovative wind energy systems in mountainous regions replaces the cost- and material-intensive use of today’s wind turbines (towers, foundations, nacelles with generators, and long blades).

An Integrated Energy System Supported by AI:

The combination of wind, solar, and near-cost-free natural gas offers an untapped opportunity for Saudi Arabia. By using the HybridSolarSystem (HSS), developed by DESERTSOLAR UG, advanced wind technology, and artificial intelligence, the country can ensure sustainable local energy supply and export energy in the form of green hydrogen. AI can help identify the most efficient sites for facilities, analyze operational data in real time, and optimize energy production to minimize losses.

Economic Benefits of Hydrogen Production

• New Revenue Streams: The growing global demand for clean hydrogen provides Saudi Arabia with the opportunity to enter a rapidly growing market.
• Diversification of the Economy: Hydrogen production helps reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and makes the economy future-ready.

Call to Collaboration

We invite all interested parties to collaborate with us to implement these innovative solutions. Our technologies and approaches are designed to address the challenges of desertification and energy needs in Saudi Arabia sustainably. Together, we can help Saudi Arabia take a leading role in the global energy transition.

Contact us to learn more about our projects and collaboration opportunities.

Conclusion

When planning and implementing large-scale solar installations in desert regions such as the Arabian Peninsula, the impact on the local and regional climate must be considered. Dark surfaces of conventional PV modules emit significant amounts of heat back into the atmosphere, which can not only increase ambient temperatures but also potentially exacerbate climatic changes. In recent years, the Arabian Peninsula has experienced more extreme weather phenomena such as hailstorms, snowstorms, and floods – events that were rarely observed in this region before. It is therefore crucial to adopt innovative approaches like the HybridSolarSystem (HSS), which minimizes these side effects while maximizing energy efficiency.