Mussab Aleraij
Chief Industrial Engineer
Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources
Mussab Khaled Aleraij holds a Chemical Engineering degree from RIT (2018) and a Master’s in Sustainable and Renewable Energy from KFUPM (2023), graduating with honors. He began his career at SABIC, focusing on decarbonization projects like furnace electrification and carbon capture. A Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and SABIC-certified energy expert, he co-authored his first publication in 2024. He currently serves as Chief Industrial Engineer at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.
Participates in
TECHNICAL PROGRAMME | Energy Technologies
Powering Mobility: The Energy Transition and the Future of Transportation
Forum 24 | Digital Poster Plaza 4
30
April
12:00
14:00
UTC+3
This study introduces a novel and sustainable rail transportation system powered by supercapacitor-based energy storage, charged via a centralized solar carport system installed at the train’s main parking station. The proposed design has been evaluated through a detailed techno-economic analysis and applied to a case study involving a supercapacitor-powered passenger train (SC-Train) that connects King Fahd International Airport to five major cities across the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.
The primary objective is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact from the national transportation sector by replacing conventional fuel-based travel with a clean, electric-powered alternative. The system integrates a solar carport, which is engineered to generate sufficient energy to meet the train’s total operational demand, eliminating the need for grid-based electricity and enabling carbon-free operation.
A key part of the project is the utilization of supercapacitors as the energy storage medium. Supercapacitors provide high power density, fast charging capabilities, and long service life, making them well-suited for frequent, short-distance routes. Moreover, the train employs a regenerative braking system that captures and reuses kinetic energy, resulting in energy savings equivalent to 44.9% of the total energy consumption.
In addition to the environmental benefits, the SC-Train is designed to ensure efficient travel times and optimum passenger capacity. Hence, offering a reliable and rapid mode of intercity transportation, the system is expected to significantly shorten travel time, reduce traffic congestion, and contribute to lowering traffic-related accidents.
Finally, a benefit–cost analysis of the project was conducted over 30 years, confirming the economic viability of the designed system and yielding a positive net present value (NPV) of USD 367 million. To sum it up, the project demonstrates the technical and economic feasibility of integrating renewable energy and advanced energy storage into rail transport, since it offers a scalable model for sustainable mobility in solar-rich regions like Saudi Arabia.
Co-author/s:
Bandar Alqahtani, Head of Regulatory & Policy Group, Saudi Aramco.
Abdulhadi Alajmi, Electrical Maintenance Specialist, Saline Water Conversion Corporation.
The primary objective is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact from the national transportation sector by replacing conventional fuel-based travel with a clean, electric-powered alternative. The system integrates a solar carport, which is engineered to generate sufficient energy to meet the train’s total operational demand, eliminating the need for grid-based electricity and enabling carbon-free operation.
A key part of the project is the utilization of supercapacitors as the energy storage medium. Supercapacitors provide high power density, fast charging capabilities, and long service life, making them well-suited for frequent, short-distance routes. Moreover, the train employs a regenerative braking system that captures and reuses kinetic energy, resulting in energy savings equivalent to 44.9% of the total energy consumption.
In addition to the environmental benefits, the SC-Train is designed to ensure efficient travel times and optimum passenger capacity. Hence, offering a reliable and rapid mode of intercity transportation, the system is expected to significantly shorten travel time, reduce traffic congestion, and contribute to lowering traffic-related accidents.
Finally, a benefit–cost analysis of the project was conducted over 30 years, confirming the economic viability of the designed system and yielding a positive net present value (NPV) of USD 367 million. To sum it up, the project demonstrates the technical and economic feasibility of integrating renewable energy and advanced energy storage into rail transport, since it offers a scalable model for sustainable mobility in solar-rich regions like Saudi Arabia.
Co-author/s:
Bandar Alqahtani, Head of Regulatory & Policy Group, Saudi Aramco.
Abdulhadi Alajmi, Electrical Maintenance Specialist, Saline Water Conversion Corporation.
