Photo: Credit: AURAK
A breakthrough solar-powered system capable of generating electricity, green hydrogen and freshwater at the same time has been unveiled by researchers at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), marking a significant step toward integrated clean energy solutions in the region.
The innovation was presented by Dr. Uday Kumar Nutakki, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at AURAK, as part of a collaborative international research project involving seven researchers from nine universities. The study has been published in the globally recognised journal Process Safety and Environmental Protection.
One system, three critical outputs
At the core of the project is concentrated solar power (CSP), a technology that uses mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight and generate high-temperature heat. Unlike conventional solar systems that produce electricity alone, this model captures and reuses heat that would otherwise be wasted.
The system is built around a solar tower-driven Brayton cycle, supported by a steam Rankine cycle and an Organic Rankine cycle. By cascading energy flows through multiple thermal cycles, the design maximises efficiency and reduces energy losses.
Recovered heat is then used to operate two additional processes:
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A reverse-osmosis desalination unit to produce freshwater
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A proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser to generate green hydrogen
In practical terms, the compact solar-driven setup simultaneously delivers clean electricity to the grid, potable water, and hydrogen fuel from a single integrated structure.
Promising real-world performance
Under tested operating conditions, the system demonstrated strong technical performance. It supplied approximately 2.05 megawatts of electricity, produced around 125.3 kilograms per second of freshwater, and generated 15.52 kilograms per hour of green hydrogen.
The overall energy efficiency reached 19.52 percent, indicating feasibility for urban-scale deployment.
Importantly, researchers evaluated the system under varying seasonal and dynamic conditions. The model maintained stable performance despite fluctuations in solar intensity and climate, highlighting its resilience in real-world environments.
Supporting regional sustainability goals
Professor Khalid Hussain, Provost of AURAK, said the research reflects the university’s commitment to innovation that addresses both local and global challenges.
Dr. Nutakki emphasised the broader impact of the work, noting that intelligent integration of concentrated solar energy with cascading power cycles allows solar infrastructure to move beyond electricity production alone.
By producing clean power, freshwater and green hydrogen in a single framework, the system proposes a pathway toward more resilient and self-sufficient urban infrastructure.
Relevance for the Middle East
The Middle East, with its high solar irradiance and ongoing water scarcity challenges, could particularly benefit from such integrated solutions. Traditional solar thermal systems have faced obstacles including high upfront costs, intermittency concerns and technical complexity. By combining power generation, desalination and hydrogen production within one coordinated model, the proposed system addresses several of those limitations.
As governments across the region accelerate clean energy transitions and climate adaptation strategies, innovations emerging from Ras Al Khaimah may help redefine how cities approach energy security and water sustainability.
Rather than treating electricity, water and fuel as separate infrastructure challenges, the AURAK-led research suggests they can be produced together through smarter use of solar resources — offering a model for future-ready urban development.
