Article

Dr. Uday Kumar Nutakki from the American University of Ras Al Khaimah presented an integrated energy system that generates electricity, green hydrogen, and freshwater using concentrated solar energy and waste-heat recovery.

The system combines a solar tower-driven Brayton cycle with steam and Organic Rankine cycles, directly linking thermal energy to a desalination unit and an electrolyser. Under operational conditions, it produced 2.05 MW of electricity, 125.3 kg/s of freshwater, and 15.52 kg/h of green hydrogen, achieving 19.52% exergy efficiency. This innovative approach targets urban sustainability by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and addressing freshwater scarcity, particularly in Middle Eastern regions.