Thuwal: Researchers, academics and entrepreneurs have been discussing ways to tackle the world’s energy challenges at a conference currently underway at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. The topics on the agenda include solar energy, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence and water desalination, as well as how to encourage young people to get involved in finding solutions to the planet’s challenges. The three-day Innovation Days 2024, now in its second year, has been organized by KAUST and ACWA Power, and began on Wednesday. Raad Al-Saady, vice chairman and managing director ACWA Power, in his keynote address, said: “It is a journey with our global partners who are actively engaged in developing innovative solutions that stand for water treatment to enhance solar efficiency and leveraging innovative technology. “We reaffirm our dedication to build a better future for our youth and contribute to the realization of the Kingdom’s ambitious goal.” Dr. Tony Chan, president of KAUST, said: “At KAUST, we take great pride in being a global leader in scientific research and technological innovation. Our alliance with ACWA Power enhances this mission, bringing together brilliant minds and cutting-edge resources to pioneer revolutionary solutions in water and energy.” Marco Arcelli, ACWA Power’s CEO, said: “ACWA Power has a proven track record of innovating to both drive down costs and further accelerate the transition to renewable energy. By gathering the best minds — industry experts and academics — we are able to broaden our horizons and find answers to the most pressing issues facing our world today: fighting climate change, ensuring a reliable supply of water and energy, and improving the lives of the communities that we serve.” He praised the partnership with KAUST which resulted in the establishment in 2019 of the KAUST-ACWA Power Centre of Excellence for Desalination and Solar Power, a research and development hub. “Through our partnership with KAUST, we have established a strong collaboration that has yielded positive results through an active research center. Moving forward, we aim to stimulate discussions during our future Innovation Days, inspiring industry stakeholders to work together in developing practical solutions for a sustainable future,” he added. This year’s event features ACWA Power’s Innovation Challenge, a campaign to encourage Saudi Arabia’s youth to share their ideas in renewables, water desalination, green hydrogen and energy storage. Industry experts will choose the most innovative ideas, which will be developed with the support of ACWA Power for possible patenting and industry application.