Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Embargo Integrated Microalgae Processing with The Water-Energy-Food-Climate Nexus Toward a Circular Bioeconomy(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Islam, Mohammed; Vaidyanathan, SeetharamanThis thesis provides original empirical findings that halotolerant microalgae, particularly Chlorella vulgaris, and freshwater species Scenedesmus T. obliquus CCAP 276/3A, can easily serve as twin-role agents for cleaning wastewater and crop biofertilisation, with measurable impacts in the water, energy, food, and climate sectors. Ionic media (Na⁺ and Cl⁻ at 1–2 g/L NaCl concentration) increased nitrate and phosphate reduction by 90% or more, and chloride uptake was 57.3%, demonstrating biodesalination potential. Comparison assays revealed Scenedesmus T. obliquus CCAP 276/3A removed 96.2% nitrate and 93.6% phosphate at low ionic strength, and Porphyridium purpureum absorbed 67.2% chloride at full-marine ionic strengths. In plant growth experiments, Chlorella vulgaris CCAP 211/21A increased tomato height by 33.7% and radish root extension by 41.3% relative to chemical fertilisers. Nutrient- rich post-growth biomass demonstrated biofertilisation potential in 13 plant species, with a potential effect on root biomass and shoot extension, at germination. Modelling suggests that there is potential for as much as 758,000 tonnes of CO₂ to be sequestered, 192 GWh/year bioenergy generation, and 75% reduction in synthetic fertilisers if algae systems were scaled within a Saudi Arabian context. Methodologically, the study employed a photobioreactor in controlled pilot-to- laboratory environments. Salinity gradients and medium formulations were used in simulating freshwater, brackish, and saline media. Mechanically processed biomass was employed in testing the growth of vegetables and tubers, e.g., lettuce, tomato, zucchini, and radish, in a triplicate factorial format in greenhouse environments. Statistical tools, including ANOVA and t-tests, confirmed that algae-based fertilisers performed on par with or better than synthetic treatments. Laboratory and literature data were synthesised into a Saudi Arabian context using a material flow analysis and scenario forecasting model that incorporated reuse efficiency, CO₂ offsets, biomass yield, Circularity Index, and nutrient recovery rates. The model used national wastewater infrastructure datasets from 13 regions in Saudi Arabia, enabling region- specific projections of impact and scalability. Report on (a) influence of salinity on bioremediation potential of algae, (b) on bioremediation and biodesalination potential, (c) effectiveness of algae biomass as biofertiliser and biostimulant with multiple plant species, and (d) effectiveness of using the strategy in a Saudi Arabian context for integrating within a Water-Energy-Food- Climate (WEFC) nexus perspective. This thesis effectively integrates empirical data, systems modelling, and regional infrastructure analysis to put forward scientifically credible, policy-ready algae-based solutions. It outlines a seven-phase deployment schedule (2025–2060) in harmony with Saudi Vision 2030 and Net-Zero 2060 with targets of an 80% national rate of reuse, 830,000 tonnes CO₂ offset each year, and 150,000 green algae jobs. A novel RCI was established and applied to gauge closed- loop performance, rising from 0.24 to 0.75 by 2040 in the best-case scenario. Riyadh, Makkah, and the Eastern Region were identified as Tier 1 deployment zones due to high volumes of effluent but low reuse efficiency. Integration of the microalgae process has the potential to be used with wastewater treatment and energy infrastructure. The study reframes algae not as ancillary organisms but as central agents of sustainability, resilience, and economic diversification. These findings constitute a significant contribution to the emerging field of circular bioeconomy engineering in arid regions.21 0Item Restricted Occupancy-Driven Optimization of Building Operations: Balancing Energy, Thermal Comfort, and Indoor Air Quality(Loughborough University, 2026) AlMindeel, Thara; Eftekhari, Mahroo; Spentzou, EftychiaEnergy efficiency, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality act synergistically as fundamental determinants of sustainability in the built environment. Conventional approaches often address these objectives in isolation, limiting opportunities for balanced performance. Advances in optimization techniques enable systematic trade-offs across competing objectives; however, in multi-occupancy spaces, where challenges of energy use, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality are most pronounced, the influence of occupant-related factors remains underexplored, with research largely focused on system-related variables. This study addresses this gap by systematically investigating the efficacy of multi-objective optimization strategies in enhancing building performance, while incorporating occupancy and operational variables. The research evaluates how variations in occupancy density influence energy consumption, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality in multi-occupancy shared working environments. Building on a rigorous systematic literature review, a scenario-based framework was developed that integrates global sensitivity analysis with multi-objective optimization. Multi-method sensitivity analysis, using standardized regression coefficients, partial correlation coefficients, and Morris elementary effects, identified the occupancy and operational design variables with the greatest influence on building performance. The findings of sensitivity analysis guided a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm to generate Pareto-optimal trade-offs across performance objectives and under varying occupancy and seasonal conditions. To translate the Pareto fronts into implementable settings, three multi-criteria decision-making methods were comparatively evaluated, providing decision-ready solutions tailored to different occupancy scenarios. The results demonstrate that occupancy density, ventilation and heating setpoints are critical drivers of building performance in multi-occupancy settings. The optimization produced distinct, scenario-specific Pareto fronts rather than a single global optimum, with each front representing a spectrum of trade-offs among performance objectives, indicating that operating points are contingent on both occupancy and season. High-occupancy scenarios amplified the three-way trade-offs among objectives and widened the set of non-dominated solutions, whereas low-occupancy scenarios enabled superior energy efficiency and indoor air quality without compromising comfort. Seasonal variations further complicated performance optimization, emphasizing the need for adaptive, context-sensitive control strategies in shared working environments. Across Pareto-optimal solutions, thermal comfort was consistently improved and energy consumption reduced relative to the base case, with energy reductions reaching approximately 8% in summer and 22% in winter. In winter high-density scenarios where CO₂ exceeded 1000 ppm, optimization was able to reduce concentrations up to 11%. The TOPSIS-selected solutions delivered balanced improvements, reducing energy use by up to 6.8% in summer and 13.7% in winter, improving thermal comfort across seasons, and achieving modest winter IAQ improvements of up to 9.8% at higher occupancy densities. By understanding the interdependencies between occupancy and performance metrics across seasons, this research establishes a robust foundation for designing and managing energy-efficient, healthy, and comfortable shared working environments. The proposed optimization framework is applicable to both new and retrofit projects, equipping designers, facility managers, and policy makers with evidence-based strategies to anticipate occupancy- and season-driven variability and implement adaptive, occupancy-tailored operating strategies. More broadly, it advances methodological frontiers for future research by demonstrating how multi-objective optimization can integrate occupancy dynamics, seasonal conditions, system performance, and operational management to accelerate progress toward high-performance sustainable buildings.6 0Item Restricted Energy Transition in Saudi Arabia: A Comparative Study of Renewable Energy Legal Frameworks Between Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the European Union(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Alshaiban, Ebrahim; Baylis, Elena; Kotuby, Charles; Farah, Paolo; MacIntyre, GrantClimate Change poses unprecedented challenges to the planet, driven by increased greenhouse gas emissions, with serious negative impacts on the environment, society, and the economy. Given that the energy sector accounts for most greenhouse gas emissions, it remains crucial to addressing Climate Change through effective legal and policy mechanisms that encourage a shift towards renewable energy sources. This thesis explores the development of international Climate Change and renewable energy laws by reviewing the legal frameworks established by international bodies, the United States, and the European Union. By adopting a comparative approach to the subject matter, the study analyses how the aforementioned frameworks contributed to the development of renewable energy and attracted investment. Notwithstanding the lofty aims of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and its Saudi Green Initiative for economic and energy diversity, the country still faces numerous legal challenges in its renewable energy industry, namely regulatory inefficiencies. The successes and deficiencies of legal frameworks in use in more mature renewable energy markets, such as the United States and the European Union have been identified through analysis and can help inform potential legal transplants that suit the Saudi legal system. Recommendations include implementing a renewable energy act, establishing a renewable portfolio standard, promoting competition, increasing stakeholder involvement, and following international treaties. The methodology used will incorporate both comparative and analytical aspects. This will be achieved through legal theory, policy, and practice drawn from international, American, and ivEuropean experiences. The final aim of this dissertation is to help develop a robust legal framework for renewable energy in Saudi Arabia that supports its objectives of advancing Climate Change efforts and sustainable development.8 0Item Restricted Computational Fluid Dynamics study of fixed bed adsorbers informed by 3D X-ray Computed Tomography(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alalwyat, Ahmed; Ronny, PiniA resolved 3D CFD transient multi-component solver was created, solving the 3D Navier-Stokes equations for the fluid phase and containing adsorption physics as boundary conditions within the surface of spherical particles. The geometry was reconstructed by X-ray computed tomography to be a 3D spherically packed bed and reduced to a packed cube with 11 mm long sides for a more reasonable computational cost. The mesh was created by background meshing initially with (64, 64, 60) cells in the 𝑥, 𝑦 and 𝑧 directions, respectively. The mesh of spherical particles was removed to retain the fluid mesh only and implement extra refinement levels around the spherical particles. Further smoothness was applied at the edges of the packed cube and at the distorted cells due to the imperfect removal of the mesh of the spherical particles. The steady-steady solver was used to generate a maximum air velocity magnitude of 4.5 mm/s. The transient solver was used to generate CO2 mass composition maps depicting how CO2 flow replaces N2 gradually in porous media. The adsorption physics was implemented based on Henry’s and dual-site Langmuir’s equilibrium isotherms. A linear relationship between the rate of CO2 loading was confirmed for the Henry’s isotherm, while non-linear adsorption/desorption behaviour was noticed for the dual-site Langmuir’s equilibrium isotherms. The transient simulation with the dual-site Langmuir’s equilibrium implementation was computationally convergent by a grid convergence index study and validated to have 3% error from the analytical solution.11 0Item Restricted Strategic Analysis of a Low-Carbon and Cost-Effective Power System in Saudi Arabia by 2030(University of Cambridge, 2025) Albanmi, Faisal; Smail, FionaSaudi Arabia is undergoing transformative changes in its power sector as part of its broader Vision 2030 agenda, presenting a unique opportunity to reshape its energy landscape. With a national target of achieving 50% electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030, the Kingdom is not only rethinking its energy mix but also actively investing in innovations that support decarbonization and long-term cost-effectiveness. These shifts open up strategic opportunities to design a modern power system that aligns with both national ambitions and global climate responsibilities. This dissertation presents a comprehensive strategic analysis of Saudi Arabia’s pathway to a low-carbon and economically viable power grid by 2030. It begins with an in-depth review of the Kingdom’s power sector development, historical emissions, and policy targets under Vision 2030. The study then explores the country’s renewable energy potential, focusing on solar and wind resources, while also assessing the role of emerging low-carbon technologies, such as hydrogen, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and large-scale energy storage systems. To evaluate system performance and identify the most viable future grid configurations, the project employs PyPSA (Python for Power System Analysis), an open-source modelling framework, to simulate generation scenarios, optimize the energy mix, and analyse trade-offs between cost and emissions. Through this modelling effort, the study estimates the Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) across technologies and assesses the overall system’s carbon impact, offering insights into the most strategic and practical pathways forward. Ultimately, this work aims to provide actionable guidance for policymakers and stakeholders on how to structure Saudi Arabia’s future power system in a way that balances energy security, affordability, and sustainability.Item Restricted ADOPTING PASSIVHAUS PRINCIPLES IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN THE EXTREMELY HOT-DRY CLIMATE OF SAUDI ARABIA(Saudi Digital Library, 2025-06-30) Khan, Ebaa; Sharples, Steve; Haniyeh MohammadpourkarbasiThe high demand for cooling in Saudi Arabia due to the severe hot climate contributes to high energy consumption per capita, which is three times higher than the global average. More than 50% of the energy consumption in Saudi Arabia comes from the residential sector. This study evaluates energy-efficient measures that can be employed in Saudi Arabia to reduce the heavy consumption of energy in the residential sector. The study focused on the city of Makkah, which experiences a hot climate throughout the year. And assessed the extent to which this city strictly meets energy efficiency standards, specifically the German Passivhaus concept, which evaluates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in residential buildings. Through this concept, this study focused on improving the building envelope and utilising high-performance windows in two residential buildings, which is a popular type of residential in Makkah. The first building was compliant with the Saudi Building Code (SBC), and the other was not compliant with SBC (non-SBC). The assessment was conducted by DesignBuilder, a dynamic thermal simulation software, to compare the two buildings' energy performance with the Passivhaus requirements standards in current and future (2050 and 2080) climate scenarios. Further studies were carried out using the OneClick LCA software to evaluate the two villas’ lifecycles and the impact of applying the Passivhaus standard principles on carbon emissions. The study compared the actual thermal performance for both buildings with the simulated models employing two validation techniques. The first, conducted when the buildings were free-running, involved assessing the hourly temperature calibrations by comparing the indoor and outdoor temperatures derived from the DesignBuilder model with the real temperature values recorded by data loggers. The second is calculating and comparing the simulated energy consumption for both buildings with their utility bills over three months. The accuracy of the simulations was enhanced by generating the weather data files for the current and future scenarios (2050s and 2080s) using the RCP 4.5 GHG emission scenario for Makkah City from Meteonorm, a climate generator software. The results of this investigation indicated that Passivhaus principles have an encouraging environmental impact. They show that a building envelope that meets Passivhaus Standard target can reduce significant cooling demand by 57% in SBC-compliant and 60% in non-SBC buildings. In addition, the Passivhaus models were around 20% more effective in addressing climate change challenges under future climate scenarios than the SBC and non-SBC models. Lastly, comprehensive lifecycle carbon analyses of the case studies demonstrated that following the Passivhaus standard principles significantly reduced cumulative carbon emissions over the estimated 40-year lifespan of both models. This finding underlines the potential of Passivhaus standard to substantially contribute to reducing carbon emissions, with savings of more than 50%.Item Restricted Development and Characterization of Gypsum Plaster Composite Incorporated with Sheep Wool(University of Strathclyde, 2025-05) Gah, Saleh; Sillars, FionaThis study aimed to develop and characterize a sustainable gypsum plaster composite incorporating sheep wool fibers to enhance thermal insulation properties while maintaining adequate mechanical performance. Samples with varying sheep wool concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3% by weight) were prepared using a layering technique. Thermal properties were evaluated using a heat flow meter method following BS EN 12667:2001, while mechanical performance was assessed through three-point bending tests according to BS EN 13279-2:2014. Results demonstrated significant improvements in thermal insulation, with thermal conductivity reduced by up to 51% in the 2% wool composite (0.122 W/m·K) compared to the reference sample (0.246 W/m·K). However, flexural strength decreased with wool fiber addition, with reductions ranging from 45-54% across reinforced samples, though all maintained values above the minimum requirement of 1.0 MPa for building applications. Microstructural analysis revealed that 2% wool content represented an optimal balance between thermal and mechanical properties, as higher concentrations led to fiber agglomeration and clustering that negatively affected performance. This research contributes to sustainable construction by demonstrating that sheep wool, a renewable material, can effectively enhance the thermal insulation of gypsum plaster while maintaining structural integrity for building applications.Item Restricted Sociotechnical Imaginaries and Developing a Secure Energy System for Gaza Abdullah(University of Oxford, 2024) Alkattan, Abdullah; Malcolm, McCullochAs one of the key challenges that need addressing when designing an energy system, energy security has gained global attention in recent years as nations aim to provide affordable, uninterrupted availability of energy sources. Since the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7th, 2023, sparked a war, the fuel and electricity blockade imposed by Israel has left Gaza with largely no access to electricity, bringing their lack of energy security into focus. With the war ongoing, the damage inflicted on infrastructure, and the forcible displacement of people, the energy system needs to be rebuilt in a secure, affordable, and credible way. As energy planning is challenging amidst this uncertainty, the concept of sociotechnical imaginaries was deployed to define and develop the collective visions of the energy future of Gaza. Drawing from interviews with Gaza energy and humanitarian experts, analysis of the region’s energy sources, and drivers of development in Gaza, the three developed imaginaries are Information, Motion, and Heat. Going beyond defining the imaginaries, a framework for achieving each one is outlined through a whole-system approach. Motion captures the need for an affordable, mobile form of energy access to enable recovery in the region, with swarm electrification the recommended methodology to achieve this vision. The limited energy access afforded by swarm electrification drives the development of Motion, which aims to rebuild a gas-centred centralised grid to replace previous diesel-dependence due to its lower cost and carbon footprint. While restoring the grid to depend on gas imports does not immediately address Gaza’s energy security, it allows for the exploration and utilization of the natural gas sources available in the Gaza Marine, the basis of the third imaginary, Heat. Enabling Gaza to explore this gas field will ultimately prove tricky amid geopolitical tensions and uncertainties around the identity of Gaza’s future governance structure. Nevertheless, the importance of gas in the east of the Mediterranean provides a platform for Gaza to build on and secure the necessary resources and agreements to enable its exploration. Gas from the Gaza Marine can help deliver diplomatic breakthroughs, unlock economic and social development, and achieve energy security in Gaza. This thesis thus creates a potential long-term pathway for Gaza to rebuild their energy system based on the developed sociotechnical imaginaries.Item Restricted .INTEGRATING SOLAR PONDS INTO URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT : A CASE STUDY OF NEOM(University of Sheffield, 2024) Alshehri, Maram; Campbel, AlasdairThis comprehensive analysis of an integrated system for upper convective zone (UCZ) thermal energy extraction, turbo-vapor axial compressor, low-pressure steam turbine, and Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) desalination unit reveals significant implications for system operation and efficiency throughout the year. The study highlights the importance of temperature distribution in the UCZ, with temperatures consistently below 70°C from January to March, posing a challenge for system operation during these months. Conversely, temperatures rise above 70°C from April to December, providing a favorable environment for efficient system operation in NEOM. The design parameters of the pond are well-defined, with minimum dimensions of 202 x 202 meters and a depth of 0.7 meters being sufficient to extract 1 kg/s of thermal energy over an 8-hour daily operational period. The specifications of the turbo-vapor axial compressor, including a hub diameter of 0.27 meters, a tip diameter of 0.549 meters, and an operational speed of 3000 RPM, enable efficient compression and transfer of thermal energy. The low-pressure steam turbine is designed with three stages, achieving a net power output of 181.5 kW, converting thermal energy into mechanical energy to support system operations. The MSF desalination unit is capable of producing 28,800 liters of freshwater per day during an 8-hour working period, meeting water demands and demonstrating the system's effectiveness in desalinating seawater. Overall, the integration of these components within the described temperature and operational parameters provides a robust framework for efficient energy conversion and freshwater production throughout most of the year. Addressing the operational challenges during colder months and leveraging the system's design strengths during warmer periods will be crucial to maximizing overall performance and sustainability.Item Restricted Energy Transition Policies and Their Impact on Saudi Arabia(University of Oxford, 2024) Awshan, Nawaf; Imsirovic, Adi; Sen, AnupamaThis dissertation answers how Saudi Arabia, an oil-dependent economy, is tackling the energy transition. Given Saudi Arabia’s economy and its position in the global energy markets, it is crucial to analyse its status in the energy transition. Specifically, this research addresses three research sub-questions concerning: the external and internal drivers that have pushed Saudi Arabia to transform, the leading entity driving the energy transition in Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia’s progression in the energy transition relative to other oil-producing economies, particularly the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Norway. Qualitative and quantitative methods are used: a Multi-Level Perspective framework is analysed, six interviews with energy stakeholders are conducted, and an Energy Transition Advancement Index (ETAI) is developed, in which two main sub-indexes are created with 39 dimensions. The research results show that eight drivers have pushed Saudi Arabia to transition: oil price volatility, global political and environmental pressure, advancement of renewable energy manufacturing, additional fiscal revenue derived from maximising oil exports, growth of domestic energy demand, the fiscal impact of fossil fuel subsidies, successful pilot renewable energy projects, and extensive minerals exploration. Second, the Saudi Ministry of Energy leads the energy transition. Furthermore, the results reveal that the government adopted a state-led energy transition approach where the government sets the policy instruments and initiatives. Lastly, Saudi Arabia lags behind the UAE and Norway in the ETAI. In 2023, Saudi Arabia scored 49.66 out of 100, while the UAE and Norway scored 64.33 and 70.57, respectively. The ETAI reveals that Saudi Arabia has the competence to transition, as indicated by the continuous improvement in the capability sub-index, which increased from 39.75 in 1990 to 57.33 in 2023. However, not enough steps have been taken to transition, as the performance sub-index declined from 48.84 in 1990 to 38.54 in 2023. The study recommends gradually phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, establishing Public-Private Partnerships in all low-carbon investments, enhancing private sector participation, and extending the value chain of the petrochemical industries.53 0