Jan 10, 2025
3rd IAEE MENA Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
f. l. t. r. - Khalid Alanazi, Dharid Alanazi, doctoral student Jakob Baumgarten
From December 8 to 9, 2024, the 3rd IAEE MENA Conference took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (IAEE = International Association for Energy Economics ). Among the participants was Jakob Baumgarten (phot above right) doctoral student of the 4th Boysen-TUD-Research Training Group (Project E1 - "Market model-based energy economic analysis of H2 import demand and import potential of synthetic gases from MENA countries"). The conference, organized by the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) and the Saudi Association for Energy Economics (SaudiAEE), was dedicated to the topic "Domestic Energy and Economic Transformations in a Transitioning World" and provided a platform for the discussion of key energy policy and economic challenges in the MENA region.
Doctoral student Jakob Baumgarten during his presentation
As part of the conference, Mr. Baumgarten presented his paper entitled "Assessing hydrogen potential in the MENA region - a three-dimensional index approach". In his presentation, he introduced a multi-criteria, index-based research approach that combines political, economic and technological factors that are central to the development of a hydrogen economy in the MENA region. The index identifies the national opportunities and challenges of individual countries and can be used as a starting point for investments in a sustainable hydrogen economy. The results of individual sub-indexes were received with great interest and led to subsequent discussions.
Conference participants use the opportunity for dialogue
In addition to the conference,
Mr. Baumgarten attended the previous Young Professionals and Scholars Day, which offered young scientists and specialists a platform for exchange and networking. A special highlight was a personal meeting after the conference with Dr. Rami Shabaneh, one of the main authors of the book "The Clean Hydrogen Economy and Saudi Arabia" (2024). This work comprehensively highlights the strategies, challenges and opportunities for building a hydrogen economy in the MENA region with a regional focus on Saudi Arabia.
Participating in the IAEE MENA Conference was an inspiring experience for Mr. Baumgarten, opening up new perspectives for his research and fostering exchange with international experts in the hydrogen and energy economy.
Impressive architecture - the KAPSARC, venue of the 3rd IAEE MENA Conference