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Techno-Economic Assessment of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Direct Air Capture in Saudi Arabia

Author

Listed:
  • Sana Aljishi

    (Department of Physics, College of Science & Humanities-Jubail, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Jubail 35811, Saudi Arabia)

  • Sarah Alyami

    (Department of Physics, College of Science & Humanities-Jubail, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Jubail 35811, Saudi Arabia)

  • Eman Alghorabi

    (Department of Physics, College of Science & Humanities-Jubail, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Jubail 35811, Saudi Arabia)

  • Hana Faltakh

    (Department of Basic Sciences, Deanship of Preparatory Year and Supporting Studies, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia)

  • Hamid Zentou

    (Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen Technologies and Carbon Management (IRC-HTCM), King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mahmoud Abdelnaby

    (Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen Technologies and Carbon Management (IRC-HTCM), King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia)

  • Nouf K. AL-Saleem

    (Department of Physics, College of Science & Humanities-Jubail, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Jubail 35811, Saudi Arabia)

  • G. I. Ameereh

    (Department of Physics, College of Science & Humanities-Jubail, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Jubail 35811, Saudi Arabia)

  • Fawziah Alhajri

    (Department of Physics, College of Science & Humanities-Jubail, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Jubail 35811, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

In alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the Kingdom aims to achieve one of its main environmental targets: reaching net zero emissions by 2060. This ambitious goal can be realized through Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies, particularly Direct Air Capture (DAC), which is among the most promising solutions. DAC offers high potential for extracting Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) directly from the atmosphere and is considered sustainable, especially when powered by renewable energy rather than fossil fuels. However, the technology remains highly cost-intensive. This paper presents a techno-economic assessment of renewable energy configurations to determine the most cost-effective solutions for DAC deployment. The evaluation focuses on Net Present Cost (NPC) and Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) across several regions in Saudi Arabia, using the Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) Pro software (version 3.18.4).

Suggested Citation

  • Sana Aljishi & Sarah Alyami & Eman Alghorabi & Hana Faltakh & Hamid Zentou & Mahmoud Abdelnaby & Nouf K. AL-Saleem & G. I. Ameereh & Fawziah Alhajri, 2025. "Techno-Economic Assessment of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Direct Air Capture in Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-20, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:17:p:7659-:d:1732270
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Barakat, Shimaa & Elkhouly, Heba I. & Al Muflih, Ali & Harraz, Nermine, 2024. "Hybrid renewable hydrogen systems in Saudi Arabia: A techno-economic evaluation for three diverse locations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(PB).
    3. Mohammed Abdullah H. Alshehri & Youguang Guo & Gang Lei, 2023. "Renewable-Energy-Based Microgrid Design and Feasibility Analysis for King Saud University Campus, Riyadh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-24, July.
    4. Sinha, Sunanda & Chandel, S.S., 2014. "Review of software tools for hybrid renewable energy systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 192-205.
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