Naser Odeh

  • Primary Program Climate & Sustainability
  • Research Interests Carbon Dioxide Removals, Industrial Decarbonization, Bioenergy, and CCUS

Biography

Naser is leading research on carbon dioxide removals (CDRs), bioenergy, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage. He holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Energy and Environmental Engineering, and he has 20 years of experience in the U.K. in both academia and consultancy. His main interests are industrial decarbonization, technology innovation, and policy modelling. In the U.K., Naser led the conceptualization of the U.K. government-funded BIOCCUS system, a community-scale biomass pyrolysis-based cogeneration technology with biochar production and CCUS. His current research interests are understanding the challenges and requirements for integrating CDR within industrial processes and assessing the opportunities for carbon utilization in industry in Saudi Arabia as part of the Circular Carbon Economy.

Publications

See all Naser’s publications
  • Discussion papers
  • Commentary
  • KAPSARC journal article
Roadmap for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) in Saudi Arabia Insights From Stakeholder Engagement and Expert Survey

Roadmap for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) in Saudi Arabia Insights From Stakeholder Engagement and Expert Survey

This paper presents the findings of a survey conducted by KAPSARC, focusing on the role of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology within the framework of Circular Carbon Economy (CCE). The survey, part of the CCE Roadmaps project, aimed to gather insights from diverse stakeholders to inform the development of technology roadmaps. The study focuses on the perceived importance, barriers, and potential of CCS technologies in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with a specific focus on their implementation in Saudi Arabia. By analyzing the perspectives of various experts and industry professionals, this research provides valuable insights into CCS’s current state and prospects within the CCE framework. The findings of this study contribute to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable energy solutions and offer important considerations for policymakers and industry leaders in shaping the future of carbon management strategies.

12th January 2025
Harnessing Heat from the Refinery and Petrochemical Sectors for Future Commercial-Scale DAC Systems in Saudi Arabia

Harnessing Heat from the Refinery and Petrochemical Sectors for Future Commercial-Scale DAC Systems in Saudi Arabia

As the global community commits to achieving net-zero carbon emissions, innovative strategies such as Direct Air Capture (DAC) are gaining prominence. DAC, a key carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technology, is energy intensive and requires large amounts of heat and electricity. To ensure net negative emissions from DAC are achieved and to maximize CDR potential, it is important to ensure that low carbon sources of heat, such as geothermal and waste heat energy as well as renewable electricity are utilized to the extent possible. This article explores the techno-economics of harnessing waste heat from the refining and petrochemical sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to power DAC, contributing to negative emissions and allowing for carbon offsetting on sites.

29th December 2024
Carbon Dioxide Utilization in the Desalination Sector in Saudi Arabia: An Opportunity for Achieving Negative Emissions

Carbon Dioxide Utilization in the Desalination Sector in Saudi Arabia: An Opportunity for Achieving Negative Emissions

The global pursuit of sustainable solutions to mitigate climate change has intensified, necessitating innovative approaches that transform traditional carbon-intensive industries into potential carbon sinks. Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is a key tool for achieving net-zero targets by 2060 in Saudi Arabia. The country has set targets to achieve 9 megatons per year (Mt/y) of CCUS by 2027 and 44 Mt/y by 2035. Recent work has characterized the Kingdom’s geological carbon dioxide (CO2) potential as around 445 gigatons (Gt), but to date, there has been no detailed analysis of the CO2 utilization potential in the Kingdom. Current research at KAPSARC aims to review existing and emerging CO2 utilization routes relevant to Saudi Arabia. This paper focuses on evaluating the untapped potential for CO2 utilization in the Kingdom’s desalination sector and explores the potential of this sector to become a carbon sink, thus contributing to carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Results show that, by 2030, the desalination sector in Saudi Arabia could store up to 458 million tons of CO2 annually in the brine discharged from desalination plants, transforming brine into a useful product and reducing environmental impacts while also potentially creating negative emissions. The study recommends that policies are introduced to encourage a circular carbon economy (CCE) approach within industry. Policies and regulations supporting the installation of brine recovery equipment as well as CO2 capture and utilization (CCU) are considered a priority for the desalination sector. Encouraging CCU from atmospheric and biogenic origins is attractive as it provides the potential for carbon removals and offsetting in the desalination sector as Saudi Arabia transitions to a net-zero carbon economy.

18th December 2024
Carbon Removal Ratings and their Potential in Saudi Arabia

Carbon Removal Ratings and their Potential in Saudi Arabia

As the global focus on mitigating climate change intensifies, carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies have emerged as critical tools in reducing atmospheric carbon levels. In Saudi Arabia, recent studies have identified direct air capture (DAC) and energy from waste with carbon capture and storage (EfW BECCS) as two leading future CDR methods. These technologies are poised to play a pivotal role in the Kingdom’s transition to a low-carbon economy. However, the success of deployment of such technologies will depend on selecting the most promising and lowest-risk projects. To achieve this, robust carbon ratings methodologies are needed to assess project-level risk. Carbon ratings can enable clear, cost-effective comparisons of projects, which maintain a focus on minimizing costs, maximizing carbon capture capacity, and reducing leakage risks. Moreover, the use of carbon ratings will be essential to de-risk future projects, effectively allocate capital, and scale up deployment.

18th December 2024
Towards a CCS National Strategy and Roadmap for Saudi Arabia

Towards a CCS National Strategy and Roadmap for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, has long been associated with the production and consumption of hydroacrbons. However, with the increasing concerns over climate change and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the country has started to explore and invest in new technologies to mitigate its carbon footprint. One such technology is Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), which involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and storing them underground. In this paper, we will delve into the role of Saudi Arabia in the development, demonstration, and deployment of CCS, and explore how this technology could play a crucial role in the country’s efforts to transition towards a low-carbon economy.

9th December 2024
Energy-from-Waste (Ef W) with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in Saudi Arabia

Energy-from-Waste (Ef W) with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in Saudi Arabia

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies, such as direct air capture (DAC) and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), are essential for Saudi Arabia to achieve net zero by 2060. It is estimated that approximately 250–371 Mt/y of CDR will be needed by 2060 (Kamboj et al. 2023; Durand-Lasserve 2023). Therefore, by 2040, the annual carbon dioxide removal rate should be in the range of 83–124 Mt/y. Although DAC is considered the key CDR option for Saudi Arabia, energy-from-waste (EfW) with CCS (referred to in this paper as EfW BECCS) can also play an important role.

12th May 2024

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