المملكة: With research and innovation…the Kingdom is enhancing its success in water security challenges

The research and innovation system in the Kingdom is moving rapidly to find innovative solutions to major challenges in vital fields, most notably the challenges of water security, which is an international priority. The Research, Development and Innovation Development Authority has made it a main focus within the Sustainability Innovation Week, which it organizes in conjunction with the Kingdom’s hosting of the Conference of the Parties in The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Riyadh, from 2 to 13 December.
In its pavilion dedicated to tracking the journey of pioneering innovations in the environmental fields, the Authority displays specific projects that benefited from the research infrastructure in the Kingdom, to form new horizons that are consistent with the goals of environmental sustainability, and address the most prominent issues related to water.
This comes in accordance with a vision aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s global leadership in research, development and innovation, and a vision for smart cities that address the risks of torrents and floods. Heavy rains and floods represent major challenges for cities in the world.

First line of defense

The Authority reviewed innovative technologies to transform cities into smart cities capable of dealing with torrents and floods, ensuring the safety of lives and property.
These technologies include systems that automatically monitor rainwater and flood drainage networks, to be the first line of defense against leaks that may harm valleys and environmental resources, in addition to their integration with traffic systems to achieve smoothness and safety.

Using local ingredients to purify water from pollutants from the local environment, which is rich in its diversity, distinguished innovations came to purify water from pollutants. The Sustainability Innovation Week pavilion highlighted a patented research project based on kaolin soil available between Al-Kharj and Haradh Governorates, along with natural fibers. To separate water from pollutants.
The project has proven its efficiency in laboratory experiments, with potential for expansion into multiple applications to ensure the quality and sustainability of water resources.

Rapid water running out

Searching for sustainable solutions for sandy soil, which poses a major challenge to agriculture due to rapid water depletion, this challenge received the attention of researchers, who developed an innovative project based on palm leaves to produce a material that forms a layer beneath the soil, reduces the speed of water permeation and contributes to reducing its consumption by up to 60%. .
This material also contributes to retaining soil moisture for longer periods during plant growth stages.
Water scarcity is one of the most prominent global environmental challenges, especially in desert areas. The Authority reviewed innovations that rely on nanotechnology to generate water from the atmosphere and make it suitable for drinking, industrial and agricultural uses. These technologies are characterized by efficiency and low cost, which makes them a new resource that contributes to enhancing security. Water and increase the green area.

Water quality measurement

The waters of the Red Sea are home to coral reefs and unique marine organisms, and it is an important environmental and tourism asset for the Kingdom.
The Authority reviewed an innovative project aimed at protecting this marine environment, through an autonomous vehicle equipped with artificial intelligence, capable of diving to a depth of 40 meters to measure water quality.
This technology allows continuous monitoring under various climatic conditions, to ensure a suitable environment for coral reefs and marine organisms.
The projects presented by the Research, Development and Innovation Development Authority during the Sustainability Innovation Week highlight the Kingdom’s pioneering role in confronting environmental challenges through innovative research solutions.
This reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to achieving sustainability of water resources and preserving the environment, in line with the goals of Vision 2030 and enhancing its position as a global force in the field of research and innovation.