Page 166 - ISES SWC50

8.8 Research Pioneers 1980-1989

Ahmed Hamza Ali
Country: Egypt
Year Started Research: 1988
Title of Research: Cooling of water flowing through a night sky radiator
University: Assiut University
Still Active in Research: Yes

Dr Ahmed Hamza Ali joined the research team of Professor Ibrahiem M. S. Taha in 1988 2 years after graduating
with his BSc. The team investigated experimentally and analytically the utilization of the cold deep sky temperature
to have nocturnal cooling of water by infrared radiation to the sky. The experiments were carried in the hot arid
climate of upper Egypt and the study finding was published in Solar Energy in 1995. The paper was titled: cooling
of water flowing through night sky radiator.

Abdo Almakaleh

Country: Yemen
Year Started Research: 1982
Title of Research: Models of the Incoming Solar Radiation at the Earth
Surface
University: University of Reading, UK
Still Active in Research: Yes

Dr. Almakaleh was looking for an inspiring career in the energy sector after his graduation. He was employed by
The Civil Aviation and Meteorological Authority and served in various capacities including the Assistant Deputy
Minister since January 1993. He holds a BSc degree (1979) in Physics from University of Mosul, Iraq; an MSc degree
(1982) in Meteorology from University of Reading, United Kingdom. He also holds an MSc Degree (1990) and a
PhD. Degree (1992) in Civil Engineering, both from the University of Colorado at Boulder, USA. In 1994, he was
involved in establishing the University of Science and Technology and the first Solar Energy Center (SEC) in Yemen.
He has also published over a dozen scientific papers. As a co-founder of the center, he was responsible for future
vision of solar energy in the country. The vision objective was to have joint efforts between government agencies
and universities to address; education, training, capacity building, and information dissemination of solar energy
utilization. National Renewable Energy Society (NRES) was established to provide professional training programs
in solar energy. This program conducted by SEC and NRES has trained more than one hundred engineers from
Government agencies and universities until the end of 2010. In 2011, due to civil unrest and subsequent regional
war, the whole country went under complete siege (Land, Air and Sea) with no fuel or electricity. Photovoltaic
solar systems became the reliable source of electricity for all population of Yemen. Thanks to the early training
programs that prepared selected engineers to take up such unprecedented task to fulfill the huge demand for
solar applications in such time of war. Photovoltaic solar energy systems now are the major source of electricity in
the country.

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