Al-Quds University participated in the kick-off meeting of the European “GREENOLIVE” project, represented by the Vice President for Administrative and Financial Affairs, Prof. Dr. Hussein Jadou, and the Head of the Electrical Engineering Department, Dr. Imad Al-Zeir. The eCampus University in Rome, Italy hosted the meeting.
This participation reaffirms Al-Quds University’s commitment to supporting innovation and promoting sustainable energy solutions in the Mediterranean region. University representatives contributed to key discussions on implementation and application mechanisms, knowledge transfer strategies, and the enhancement of research collaboration among partners.
The meeting was held over three days, from November 19 to 21, 2025, as part of a project funded by the European Union through the Interreg NEXT MED program, with a total budget of €2.7 million and European funding of 89%. The project will be implemented over a period of 36 months. It aims to accelerate the decarbonization of industries in the Mediterranean region by making optimal use of solar energy sources.
Prof. Dr. Hussein Jadoua explained that the project includes the implementation of a pioneering experiment for the use of solar energy in the plastic manufacturing sector in Turkey. The initiative is based on an innovative system for generating industrial heat of up to 300°C using the Power-to-Heat (P2H) concept, supported by Thermal Energy Storage (TES) technology developed using locally sourced waste materials.
He pointed out that the expected system will contribute to reducing fossil fuel consumption by 18–22%, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and lowering operating expenses compared to traditional electrical storage systems.
He added that the project will focus on developing practical plans to replicate the experience in other industrial sectors. It will also develop a comprehensive training package that includes laboratory models, workshops, and specialized educational tools, in addition to preparing a policy paper aimed at ensuring the transfer of knowledge and experience to industries, decision-makers, researchers, and the local community.
The project is led by the Italian eCampus University and includes an international consortium alongside Al-Quds University, comprising the University of Barcelona (Spain), Çukurova University (Turkey), CIEMAT Center for Energy, Environment and Technology Research (Spain), ASCHEM Petrochemical Industries (Turkey), R2M Solution SAS (France), and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (Egypt).
The commencement meeting laid a solid foundation for strengthening collaboration among the partners, with a focus on the project’s technical design, the pilot implementation plan, and the communication and dissemination strategy.
The GREENOLIVE project is a model of regional cooperation aimed at building a greener, low-carbon Mediterranean economy that is more resilient to environmental challenges. Updates, results, and opportunities for participation will be announced progressively throughout the project’s implementation period.
