King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced a strategic partnership this week focused on advancing hydrogen fuel cell research in Saudi Arabia.
KAUST has acquired proton electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell modules from TMC, establishing a laboratory facility at KAUST under its Clean Energy and Research Platform (CERP) dedicated to advancing this technology.
According to the statement this week, this will be key to Saudi Arabia’s hydrogen innovation efforts, particularly in tailoring fuel cells to the region’s environmental conditions.
Professor Mani Sarathy of KAUST’s Physical Science and Engineering Division shared that he and his team at CERP are leading research efforts on PEM fuel cells, conducting a series of modelling and experimental studies to assess factors such as temperature sensitivity, humidity impact and overall efficiency.
Saudi Arabia, more broadly, aims to produce approximately 2.9 million tons of hydrogen by 2030.