العربية
In a remarkable academic achievement, a team from Sohar University claimed first place in the Research and Universities track of the “Hammat” competition, launched by the Oman Investment Authority in partnership with the “Makers of Ideas” initiative. The competition aims to attract innovative projects with sustainable economic and social impact, transforming real-world challenges into investable solutions.
The winning team Dr. Yaqoub Al Rahbi, Tamim Al Qasmi, and Sundus Al Rahbi, presented a project titled “Transforming Solar Farms into a Digital Twin System for Prediction, Monitoring, and Rapid Decision-Making.” The project leverages digital transformation technologies and artificial intelligence to enhance the operational efficiency of renewable energy systems across the Sultanate of Oman.
The competition journey began with submissions from a large number of projects across higher education institutions in Oman. Ten standout teams were selected to advance to the next stage, where they underwent intensive week-long workshops. Participants worked alongside specialized experts and mentors to refine their ideas and shape them into scientifically sound, professionally structured proposals with real market potential.
Following the development phase, the ten teams were evaluated and the top three advanced to the grand finale, held on February 8–9 under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said. Sohar University’s team was crowned first place in recognition of the project’s innovation, technical viability, and investment potential.
The project centers on building a comprehensive digital model that simulates the full operational behavior of solar energy systems. This allows for advanced testing and analysis without direct intervention in the physical infrastructure, while integrating AI capabilities to predict potential failures, optimize performance, and improve production efficiency. Digital Twin technology is among the world’s fastest-growing innovations — international reports indicate it has contributed to improving renewable energy project efficiency by up to 20%, with its global market projected to reach approximately $259 billion by 2032.
This achievement reflects Sohar University’s commitment to applied research and its role in localizing digital transformation technologies within the renewable energy sector. It also underscores the university’s alignment with Oman Vision 2040 goals across sustainability, the knowledge economy, and technological advancement.