Projects and Initiatives

Human Capital Development Initiative

Human Capital Development Initiative aims to identify the current and future human capacity needs in the energy sector by bridging the gap between the required and existing skills of the workforce in the Kingdom to ensure the operational readiness. In this regard, K.A.CARE, in collaboration with the energy ecosystem, various stakeholders and partners, is working on qualifying and developing the human workforce in line with the needs of the market through:

• Developing and implementing plans and a roadmap for human capital development in the energy sector in accordance with the goals and objectives of Vision 2030.
• Monitoring market developments and assessing their impact on the required capabilities in the energy sector through studying supply and demand models, job reports, and relevant compensation reports in the Kingdom.
• Managing partnerships with national and international institutions to provide educational grants and training opportunities for Saudi youth and professionals.
• Developing educational and training programs in partnership with educational and training institutions in the Kingdom and providing them to the energy sector.
• Monitoring and tracking employment opportunities in the Saudi energy sector, and updating national supply and demand plans based on variables.
• Managing comprehensive initiatives related to building human capacity in the energy field and coordinating with key stakeholders to maintain an integrated and comprehensive system for human capacity development.
• Developing a National Digital Platform for building human capacity in the energy sector as a tool for connecting relevant stakeholders and target groups, facilitating alignment and linkage between them, and supporting the connection between supply and demand, with a focus on new and emerging sectors.

Renewable Energy Technology Localization Initiative

Renewable Energy Technology Localization Initiative aims to enable innovation, sustainability, and long-term economic growth in the energy sector, locally and globally, by working with the private sector, universities, and research centers to demonstrate and develop renewable energy technologies. The initiative's programs contribute to demonstrate the success of the technology through testing its initial model within the Kingdom, and reducing risks for private sector investors. The initiative includes four diverse programs targeting technologies at various levels of technical readiness, which are:

• Developing the prototype model for renewable energy technologies
• Developing renewable energy product
• Conducting a feasibility study for the localization of renewable energy technologies
• Demonstrating the localization of renewable energy technologies

The initiative targets several applications in the field of renewable energy. These applications include:

• Applications of solar thermal energy in industry
• Renewable energy technologies in water desalination and treatment
• Hybrid renewable energy systems and their off-grid applications
• Renewable energy systems in refrigeration and air conditioning
• Solutions for enabling efficient operation and maintenance of renewable energy technologies
• Energy storage technologies
• Wind energy technologies
• Solar thermal energy technologies
• Geothermal energy

Saudi Arabia Renewable Energy Atlas

Saudi Arabia RE Atlas aims to support the achievement of a sustainable energy mix. It provides modern and historical monitoring data on solar and wind energy sources, in addition to satellite-based model data to support developers, researchers, governmental institutions, and decision-makers. It also provides reports on the solar monitoring network and individual stations. It targets project developers and researchers in the field of solar energy.

Mishkat Interactive Center

Mishkat Interactive Center is one of the initiatives of K.A.CARE. It was established to inspire young people to become innovators of future energy. The Center serves as a real and exciting starting point to raise society awareness about energy sciences, technologies, and applications, and promote social acceptance. It also contributes to human capacity development initiative. It provides a stimulating knowledge environment for visitors by offering them a real opportunity to learn about different types of energy and their various sources, generation methods, transmission, and utilization. This is achieved through a number of interactive scientific exhibits, interactive experiences and programs, and scientific shows and films in the field of energy.

Studies and Research

In line with K.A.CARE objectives of developing research capabilities and potential in the fields of atomic and renewable energy within the Kingdom, K.A.CARE, through its Studies and Research sector, undertakes several initiatives and projects related to research. This involves strengthening collaborations and concluding partnerships with local and international universities and scientific centers to benefit from experiences and experiments, conducting studies, identifying opportunities, challenges, and risks that may affect the energy market locally and internationally. It also involves incubating and supporting entrepreneurship ideas in the field of renewable energy, enabling and supporting projects to contribute to technology localization and the promotion and development of knowledge-based economy.

With regard to studies and research, K.A.CARE has achieved several achievements, which include:

• Supporting 133 researchers through the Research Fellowship Program and 22 researchers through the Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship Program to conduct research in the fields of atomic and renewable energy.
• Signing an agreement with the Joint Research and Development Center with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), which resulted in the establishment and operation of a joint research and development center between K.A.CARE and KAERI, and the assignment of 18 Saudi engineers to South Korea. It also resulted in conducting 80 research documents, publishing 8 papers in scientific conferences, and obtaining 2 patents.
• Supporting and incubating renewable energy entrepreneurs through the Innovation Center, such as launching a dedicated track for renewable energy in the incubator and accelerator at King Abdulaziz University.
• Preparing reports to monitor and keep up with the innovations and developments in renewable and atomic energy, an Energy Observatory Journal, and analytical reports on energy and market studies.
• Working on a joint research project with Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University titled "Technical and Economic Analysis of Solar Water Heating System at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.".