A Startup in Saudi is Pioneering the Algae Cultivation in the Desert

When most people think of algae, they picture slimy green organisms in the sea. However, Saudi chemist Abdulmajeed Hashem, founder of Green Desert Tech, sees algae as a revolutionary force in food, energy, and sustainability.

Saudi is Pioneering the Algae Cultivation

Algae is incredibly efficient when it comes to resource use. According to Hashem:

• Water-efficient: Algae requires only a fraction of the water needed for traditional crops, using just one-tenth to one-fifth of the amount.
• Land efficiency: Algae has higher protein productivity per square meter than other crops.
• Thrives in harsh climates: Algae grows well in high temperatures and sunlight, making it ideal for desert regions like Saudi Arabia.

Hashem’s journey into algae cultivation began during his studies in Boston and later at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. Inspired by algae’s untapped potential, he decided to abandon his PhD and focus on developing algae as a sustainable resource.

The Birth of Green Desert Tech

Hashem’s experience at Red Sea Farms, a KAUST startup, gave him the hands-on knowledge of greenhouse technology. With this, he launched Green Desert Tech to grow algae in the desert using innovative outdoor systems.

The main challenge? Humidity. Saudi Arabia’s dry climate isn’t naturally suited for algae, but Hashem is confident that this hurdle can be overcome with the right technology.

Advantages of Algae Cultivation:

• High productivity: Algae yields more protein per square meter than any other crop.
• Water efficiency: It uses much less water, and the water it consumes can be fully recycled.
• Sustainability: Algae absorbs 10-20 times more carbon dioxide than traditional plants, making it a powerful tool against climate change.

Technological Innovations: Smarter Algae Farming

Green Desert Tech’s major innovation lies in its sensor technology, which monitors algae pools in real time. The company developed a sensor box that tracks environmental factors like temperature, algae density, and pH levels, providing updates every 10 seconds.

Current Cultivation Systems:

• Open pool systems: Cost-effective but not optimized for productivity.
• Photobioreactors: Efficient but too expensive to scale.

Hashem believes the future of algae farming lies in optimizing open pools. “Scaling algae production can’t be done through bioreactors,” he says. Better monitoring is the key to this optimization.

Table: Key Differences Between Cultivation Systems

System	Advantages	Challenges
Open Pool Systems	Simple and cost-effective	Less efficient, outdated methods
Photobioreactors	Highly efficient, controlled lighting	Expensive, difficult to scale

Data-Driven Cultivation

The sensor box uses optics to monitor algae growth by tracking how much light algae absorbs. As algae blocks light, sensors detect growth rates and environmental conditions, adjusting settings like pH levels automatically.

In the future, Green Desert Tech plans to use microscopy for more detailed monitoring. This technology will allow for real-time tracking of cell health, contaminants, and damage.

Benefits of Microscopy:

• More accurate algae growth tracking.
• Real-time detection of issues like contamination or cell damage.

Algae’s Role in Combating Climate Change

Algae’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide is far greater than that of traditional crops, making it an essential part of global climate change efforts. One hectare of algae absorbs 10-20 times more carbon dioxide than a hectare of trees.

Beyond its environmental benefits, algae has potential as an alternative animal feed. Current fish feed production relies heavily on wild fish, which is unsustainable. Algae offers a nutrient-rich, eco-friendly substitute.

Scaling Up: From Prototype to Production

Green Desert Tech has successfully tested its technology in a 50-square-meter prototype facility in Jeddah. Now, the company is expanding to a 10,000-square-meter facility in Huda Al-Sham, which will serve as both a production centre and a research hub.

Hashem envisions a future where algae benefits multiple industries, from food production to biofuels. Green Desert Tech aims to revolutionize the sector by making algae farming economically feasible.

Current and Future Goals:

• Expansion of facilities: Moving to a larger production centre.
• Commercialization: Selling sensor boxes to algae pool owners, sharing cutting-edge technology.
• Data collection: Building a vast data bank on algae cultivation for future AI-based optimizations.

Algae and AI: The Future of Sustainable Farming

Hashem sees data as a valuable resource in algae farming. As more algae pools use Green Desert Tech’s sensors, a wealth of data will accumulate, helping to refine production methods. AI models can then analyze this data to create more efficient farming techniques, driving even greater productivity and sustainability.

The Bigger Picture:

• Reducing carbon emissions: Algae can absorb significantly more carbon dioxide than traditional plants, which is crucial in mitigating climate change.
• Alternative food sources: Algae can replace unsustainable animal feed, offering a high-value, eco-friendly option.

Hashem believes algae could reshape industries and ecosystems worldwide, with Green Desert Tech leading.

Conclusion: A Sustainable Future with Algae

Green Desert Tech is pioneering a new era in sustainable farming. By harnessing the power of algae, they are offering solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. From reducing carbon footprints to providing alternative food sources, algae’s potential is vast and revolutionary.

Green Desert Tech’s mission is simple: make algae farming more efficient, scalable, and accessible, helping to build a greener future for all.

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