A holistic approach to Kuwait’s energy transition

Kuwait

António Azevedo Campos, co-founder and CEO of Hub2Energy, talks to The Energy Year about promoting the deployment of novel technologies for Kuwait’s energy transition and potential solutions to boost the transmission capacity of the country’s electricity grid. Hub2Energy is a Kuwait-based energy consulting company.

Could you give us an overview of Hub2Energy’s vision and business objectives?
Hub2Energy was established to revolutionise traditional energy practices by integrating innovative and sustainable solutions. Our focus spans multiple facets of the energy sector, from leveraging advanced technologies for decarbonisation to creating robust partnerships that drive the energy transition.
We were particularly influenced by the need to address climate change while ensuring energy security and economic stability. Our strategy involves collaborating with startups, established corporations, research groups and government bodies to transform innovative ideas into tangible solutions. Key technologies we focus on include CCUS, smart grids, real-world digital twins and advanced data analytics.

How is Hub2Energy helping to address the global challenge of decarbonisation?
Decarbonisation is an important part of our mission. We are involved in projects that reduce carbon emissions across various sectors. For instance, our collaboration with Wavelength Technology Centre focuses on decarbonising the shipping and energy sectors through advanced projects in Power-to-X technologies and energy storage solutions.
We are also heavily invested in CCUS technologies. CCUS allows us to capture carbon emissions from industrial processes and store them safely or repurpose them for other uses. By integrating CCUS, we can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of existing fossil fuel-based industries, providing a manageable transition to renewable energy.

Can you discuss the role of advanced technologies such as smart grids, AI, digital twins and data analytics in the energy transition?
Advanced technologies are crucial for the energy transition. Smart grids enable better monitoring and control of energy distribution, optimising resource use and integrating renewable energy sources. Digital twins, which are virtual replicas of physical systems, allow us to simulate and analyse scenarios in real time, improving efficiency and anticipating disruptions.
For example, our solutions with Enline technology use AI and mathematical algorithms to create a digital twin of the grid, optimising real-time efficiency and saving significant energy on transmission and distribution assets. Data analytics and AI help us manage modern energy systems by analysing vast amounts of data to gain insights, identify inefficiencies and optimise energy distribution.
Recently, we’ve observed several reports highlighting the stress on Kuwait’s electrical grid, with outages, power failures and the grid nearing its capacity limits. To address these critical energy challenges, we propose dynamic line rating (DLR) as a solution. As temperatures rise, the demand for energy surges due to increased use of cooling systems. Simultaneously, higher temperatures reduce the transmission capacity of power lines. Traditionally, grid operators use static line rating (SLR) to manage this issue. Since SLR doesn’t account for real-time transmission capacity, operators must set conservative limits to prevent disruptions.
DLR offers a more precise and efficient approach. It provides the actual limit of power that can be safely transmitted, allowing operators to maximise line capacity without compromising safety. DLR technology is particularly notable for several reasons, including being entirely software-based, with no additional hardware or sensors required. It offers real-time capacity data while predicting maximum allowable capacity up to seven days in advance, which allows boosting transmission capacity by up to 100%, with an average increase of 40-50%.
We believe this technology could significantly increase Kuwait’s energy efficiency and transmission reliability, addressing the current crisis effectively. We are enthusiastic to demonstrate how our solutions can help the authorities in Kuwait overcome these challenges and ensure a stable energy future.

What initiatives is Hub2Energy undertaking to develop skills and workforce capabilities in the energy sector?
Developing skills and workforce capabilities is essential for the energy transition. To this end, we have established a strategic partnership with the InnoEnergy Skills Institute, co-funded and recognised by the EU for its role in training a sustainable energy workforce.
It’s an organisation that has collaborated with 40 industry partners, including universities and governments in Europe, and trained around 50,000 workers. In my view, this partnership is crucial because, as new technologies enter the market, you need a workforce that is skilled to implement and maintain them on the field.
Our training programmes focus on the latest clean energy technologies and practices, including hydrogen, solar, batteries and energy storage technology. These courses can be attended online and we also have the option of blended learning, which combines online and in-person instruction.

How does Hub2Energy plan to address the economic and policy challenges associated with the energy transition?
The energy transition presents both opportunities and challenges, especially in regions heavily reliant on hydrocarbons. To address these challenges, Hub2Energy is advocating for comprehensive policy reforms that support renewable energy and clean technologies. We have been working with policymakers to create incentives for renewable energy projects and to implement regulations that facilitate the deployment of technologies such as CCUS and hydrogen energy systems.
Economically, we are focusing on creating a diversified energy portfolio that includes renewables, CCUS and hydrogen, which can provide stability and reduce dependence on oil revenues. Our strategic partnerships with local and international organisations also play a crucial role in overcoming these challenges by providing the necessary technical expertise and financial resources.
By aligning our initiatives with global sustainability goals, we are confident that we can contribute to a resilient and sustainable energy future. The transition to a more sustainable energy future isn’t always an easy process. However, I believe that through innovation, education and constant dialogue with policymakers, we can make this transition smoother and more acceptable to the general population.

How does Hub2Energy recommend that Kuwait and other economies balance oil and gas with renewable energy sources?
The oil industry plays a crucial role in the current and future energy landscape. At Hub2Energy, we believe in an all-energies approach that leverages both traditional and clean energy sources. The integration of advanced technologies such as CCUS allows us to reduce the environmental impact of oil and gas operations.
By capturing and storing carbon emissions, we mitigate the effects of fossil fuels while maintaining energy security and economic stability. Furthermore, we focus on enhancing the efficiency of oil and gas operations to optimise these resources while transitioning to a more sustainable energy mix. For instance, our projects in Power-to-X and energy storage aim to integrate sustainability into existing systems.
Additionally, our digital twin technology, powered by ZynQ 360, enables advanced visualisation and data management solutions. The digital twin technology offers features such as 360-degree photography capture, drone imagery and detailed 3D models, which improve our ability to visualise and manage our assets.
These capabilities have been crucial in achieving our operational goals and ensuring continuous performance improvements. For example, this technology has proven effective in a large European refinery, resulting in significant annual savings and improved operational efficiency.

What is next in Hub2Energy’s plans to scale up the company’s initiatives?
As the global energy landscape evolves, Hub2Energy is poised to expand its initiatives both in Kuwait and in the region. Our immediate focus is on scaling up our existing projects and solutions, such as the Enline technology, CCUS, decarbonisation process and digitalisation of the energy sector. We are also exploring new markets and opportunities for deploying our technologies in other GCC countries.
To achieve this, we are investing in R&D to continuously improve our solutions and ensure they meet the highest standards of efficiency and sustainability. Furthermore, we are seeking new partnerships with technology providers, research institutions and governments to enhance our capabilities and extend our reach. Our goal is to establish Hub2Energy as a reference in clean energy solutions, driving the energy transitions forward and setting new benchmarks for innovation and sustainability in the energy sector.

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