PhD student Yousef Alshammari heads to Vienna to work at the UN's nuclear watchdog

Chemical Engineering PhD student Yousef Alshammari has jetted off to Vienna to undetake a period of research at the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, after receiving an internship award.

During his research he will be working on the techno-economic analysis and evaluation of hydrogen production powered by nuclear energy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In particular, this will involve evaluating the Kingdom’s supply and demand for hydrogen, and environmental assessment of hydrogen production via nuclear cogeneration, in comparison with fossil-based generation, i.e, reforming of hydrocarbons.

“The economic growth in Saudi Arabia requires developing new processes for sustainable generation of energy.", said  Yousef.  "Hydrogen is seen as a potential solution to the world’s energy and environmental crisis. Peaceful applications of nuclear energy could become key for sustainable generation of hydrogen at a large-scale which could significantly reduce our unsustainable dependence on fossil fuels for both energy and chemical applications."