Farah Souayfane
Farah Souayfane is a research scientist specializing in resilient renewable energy systems and energy-efficient building solutions for extreme desert climates.
Research Interests
Farah's research addresses the technical barriers to achieving 100% renewable energy in hot desert climates. She specializes in:
- Resilient Energy Systems: Developing models that move beyond "average weather" to account for extreme events, ensuring grid reliability for communities like the KAUST campus.
- Thermal Energy Storage: Advanced research into Phase Change Materials (PCM) to improve building cooling efficiency and reduce carbon footprints.
- Sustainability Roadmap: Leading studies on the integration of solar, wind, and battery storage with existing infrastructure, such as desalination plants, to achieve carbon-neutral operations.
About
Farah Souayfane is a Research Scientist in the Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE) Division at KAUST, working within the research group of Professor Omar Knio.
Her work focuses on the design and optimization of hybrid renewable energy systems and energy-efficient building solutions. She is particularly interested in how weather variability and climate change influence the performance, reliability, and long-term resilience of these systems in challenging environments.
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Civil Engineering, University of Cote d'Azur, France, 2018
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, University of Lille 1 Sciences and Technology, France, 2014
- Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.)
- Civil Engineering, Lebanese University, Lebanon, 2013