6 - 10 April 2025
Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre
Muscat, Oman
Welcome to the International Workshop on “Exploring the Nexus: Green Hydrogen and Desalination for Sustainable Water and Energy Solutions,” taking place during Oman Water Week. This workshop brings together global experts to explore the intersection of green hydrogen and desalination, two crucial technologies that hold immense potential for addressing the growing demand for sustainable water and energy solutions. In addition to technological discussions, we will explore the economic perspectives of green hydrogen and desalination, assessing costs, funding mechanisms, and financial viability, while also examining their environmental and social implications with a focus on sustainability, resource management, and community involvement.
Dr. Sausan Al Riyami
Director
Oman Hydrogen Centre, Oman
Overview of workshop objectives and importance of the nexus between green hydrogen and desalination, in particular in the context of Oman.
Dr. Jauad El Kharraz
CEO
WECEN, Morocco
Overview of workshop objectives and importance of the nexus between green hydrogen and desalination, in particular in the context of Oman.
Rumaitha Al Busaidi
Business and ICV Development Manager Hydrom
Overview of current research and development efforts in both fields worldwide
and in Oman, and lessons learned worldwide and projects in the pipeline
Discussion on In-Country Value and local content initiatives and building local
capacity in the industry
Eng. Helton Bezerra
Global Account Manager, Electrolysis_Hydrogen
Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen, Germany
Presentation on the latest technologies in green hydrogen production and
desalination processes (e.g., PEM, Alkaline, PEC, RO, etc.) and the potential in
Oman
Discussion on integration opportunities between hydrogen and desalination
technologies
Discussion on water use efficiency (water use accounting along the value chain)
and energy efficiency in the process of green hydrogen production.
Siva Kumar Kota
Head of Technology
Gradiant, Singapore
Presentation on the latest technologies in green hydrogen production and
desalination processes (e.g., PEM, Alkaline, PEC, RO, etc.) and the potential in
Oman
Discussion on integration opportunities between hydrogen and desalination
technologies
Discussion on water use efficiency (water use accounting along the value chain)
and energy efficiency in the process of green hydrogen production.
Frank Wouters
Director of the EU MED-GEM Network, UAE
Analysis of the economic viability of green hydrogen and desalination projects, the current costs of 1 kg of green h2 and 1 m3 of desalinated water and the perspectives by 2030
Dr. Zahra Allahdad
Manager of Environment Department
ATLAS INTERNATIONAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
Assessment of the environmental impacts of green hydrogen and desalination, and discussion on sustainability practices and resources management
Exploration of the social implications of implementing green hydrogen production
and its derivatives together with desalination plants required for PtX
Stakeholder engagement and community involvement strategies
Lionel H.J. Rabin
Managing Director, Haltiqa – Bridging Energies
Open floor for participants to share insights, ask questions, and discuss potential collaborations
Director - Oman Hydrogen Centre
Sausan Al-Riyami completed her degree
in Physics with a minor in Geology at
Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), Oman.
She has a master’s degree in Science and
Engineering with honors (IGSES
Awards) and, in 2013, completed her
Doctor of Science in Applied Science for
Electronics and Materials at Kyushu
University, Japan by two and half year
with honors. She served as a guest
researcher at the Institute for Materials
Research, Belgium, during which time
she expanded her knowledge of CVD
applications. Sausan worked at GUTech
as an assistant professor before joining
The Research Council (TRC) in Oman as
a Renewable Energy Researcher in 2015.
From 2016-2018, she was a guest researcher as a project manager at both Helmholtz Centre Berlin
(HZB), Berlin and German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) Potsdam, Germany. She has
occupied a Senior Expert position since 2019 at TRC and was assigned to be EJAAD Director at the
Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation from March 2021 till Feb.2022. From
February 2022 she was hired to be Director of Oman Hydrogen Centre. Sausan has received several
outstanding awards and a few outstanding research fund grants from Japan and has published more
than 25 scientific papers and articles in scientific journals, energy magazines, and newspapers. She
also serves as a scientific reviewer in several journals. She was selected to Lindau Alumni Peer
Reviewer after she was selected to join one of high prestigious event in science "the 69th Lindau
Nobel Laureate Meeting" dedicated to physics in Germany and been selected among 200 applicants
to join Baden-Württemberg Post Conference Programme for Young Researcher of the 69th Lindau
Nobel Laureate Meeting, taking place in Baden-Württemberg. She was invited as an expert
representing the Sultanate to several scientific events such as Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting
in 2019, Tokyo, and moderate the International Energy Agency (IAE) session for (Oman: promising
destination for clean energy) that focus on Hydrogen as new economy in Oman. She initiated "Oman
Hydrogen Feasibility study". She was assigned by Ministry of Energy and Minerals to lead the study
as project manager in February 2020 and she submitted it in February 2021. Since that time, she
frequently invited to various international, regional, and local events to represent the Sultanate for
Energy transition related topics including Hydrogen. Her recent focus includes Scientific
Management, Material Science, and Applied Nanotechnology for PV, Renewable Energy, Solar
Thermal Technologies, Hydrogen as new Alternative Economy, and topics related to Energy
Transition. She also supervises students’ theses with cooperation from local and international
universities.
Director of the EU MED-GEM Network, UAE
Business & ICV Development Manager - Hydrom
Head of Technology - Gradiant International Holdings
Global Account Manager, Electrolysis_Hydrogen - Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen, Germany
Manager of Environment Department - ATLAS INTERNATIONAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
Dr. Zahra Allahdad, a dedicated Environmental Consultant with over 18 years of experience, specializes in Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), Climate Change Mitigation, Water Resources Management, and Environmental Sustainability. Holding a Ph.D. in Environmental Management, she has a background as an assistant professor for approximately 10 years, showcasing expertise in strategic planning, risk management, and biodiversity conservation. Dr. Zahra has effectively overseen a range of environmental projects in Iran, Sultanate of Oman, and Canada, collaborating with prestigious organizations such as UNDP. Dr. Zahra has actively contributed to addressing climate change challenges through her work. With a focus on Climate Change Mitigation, she has spearheaded projects aimed at reducing carbon footprints, implementing sustainable energy solutions, and promoting eco-friendly practices. Her efforts in this field have been instrumental in advancing the cause of environmental sustainability and resilience. In her role as the Manager of the Environment Department at Atlas International Engineering Consultants (AIEC) in Sultanate of Oman, she emphasizes conducting environmental assessments and advocating for sustainable practices. Her accomplishments include publishing scientific papers, delivering presentations at conferences, and engaging in continuous professional development initiatives. Driven by a commitment to fostering positive change and environmental stewardship, she brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the environmental management sector.
Managing Director, Haltiqa – Bridging Energies
Lionel Rabin - Founded Haltiqa – Bridging Energies in 2018, a strategic advisory services company operating in
Oman and UAE, focused on decarbonisation. Lionel has 20 years of experience in the MENA region in world
scale utilities projects development (integration of hydrogen, water, power). He was the MD MENA region for
the world’s largest hydrogen producer and supplier. Haltiqa contributed to Oman’s green hydrogen road map
(EJAAD, The Research Centre, OQ, and MoEM), and carried out a decarbonization road map for a water
company in Sohar and a green hydrogen and ammonia pre-feasibility study for OQ. Lionel is based in Muscat.
