2022 MENA POWER PROJECTS FORUM

Featuring guest speaker

Dr. Rahaf Ajaj reflects on her experience:

I spoke about the region's Nuclear Energy Education programs, the challenges that new graduates face in the nuclear industry, the key operational and maintenance challenges, and the integration of nuclear-generated power with existing conventional and renewable energy systems during the panel discussion. In general, our region has a modest number of universities that provide nuclear engineering bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees. Nuclear Engineering programs are currently available in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan. However, due to the large number of people looking for work at the same time during graduation seasons, the employment market for entry-level occupations will undoubtedly become considerably more competitive. Graduates with good grades and experience are finding it increasingly difficult to stand out in some sectors due to escalating employment competition. It might take longer than expected to acquire a job or even an interview.

Furthermore, there is a substantial gap between academia and industry. The academic programs are not well understood by the companies in our region. They believe that fresh graduates of nuclear engineering only focus on a very specific field of the nuclear industry, which is incorrect because there are several fields in the nuclear industry, and some employers do not have this knowledge and therefore refuse fresh graduates of nuclear engineering.

Also on environmental aspect, I examined nuclear operations that might have a detrimental impact on the environment. A nuclear reactor requires a large volume of cooling water to cool the equipment and absorb excess heat waste. Thermal pollution will surely have a negative impact on aquatic life. To avoid future generations having to care for present energy-generated trash, it is critical to create a method to completely eliminate all radioactive waste from nuclear energy production. A mechanism for recycling water or using alternative cooling fluids, such as air, must be created and executed to eliminate all thermal pollution. Furthermore, good maintenance may reduce output losses, power production costs, and risk.

Furthermore, I discussed how combining nuclear and renewable energy sources has the potential to dramatically enhance energy output. The nuclear-renewable hybrid energy system (N-R-HES) has been proposed as a way to fulfill energy demand while also lowering emissions. The advantages of N-R-HES co-location include lower system costs and enhanced economic viability by offering a variety of options for both energy generation and end products (fuel). Future energy demands can be met in part by integrating renewable energy sources with nuclear power facilities, which is also economically possible. For example, if natural gas prices spike, an N-R-HES system might be a realistic option for reducing reliance on natural gas. Nuclear energy alone will not be able to fulfill future demand. To reduce this large demand, people must convert to N-R-HES. This hybrid system will contribute to the overall cost reduction of variable renewable energy sources. These systems may give an upward energy supply by providing continuous electricity while using a hybrid system and flexible grid. Hybrid nuclear and renewable energy systems are commonly employed in many nations across the world due to their reduced emission levels. It is suggested that this type of system be investigated in order to discover the most effective tactics.

From left to right: Moderator Imteyaz Ahmad, Sara Rashad Al Saadi, David Haboubi, Dr. Rahaf Ajaj