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The Foundation: A bright future

Posted on 2010-09-30

Appeared in the June 2010 edition of The Foundation Magazine, a publication of The Qatar Foundation (Doha).

Two new solar power projects are set to help Qatar make the most of its abundant sunshine.

Under the first, an experimental solar power plant will soon be supplying energy to Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) as part of an agreement between Chevron Qatar Energy Technology, an affiliate of Chevron Corporation, and GreenGulf, a Qatar-based renewable energy and clean technology company.

The 35,000 square meter (sqm) plant is expected to generate 500kW of electricity, with construction work set to begin in June.

Although Qatar is blessed with sunshine, there are many challenges limiting the usefulness of existing solar technologies, such as their sensitivity to the region’s dusty environment. The project will study the performance of different photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies to help identify those best suited to local conditions.

Chevron and GreenGulf will each invest up to $10 million in the study program, with Chevron’s investment coming as part of an initial $20 million commitment to QSTP. Technology tests are expected to commence in late 2010 and continue for two to four years.

Solar power has the potential to make an important contribution to the region’s energy needs, said Omran Al-Kuwari, CEO of GreenGulf Inc. “We see solar as potentially an important part of the region’s future energy mix. Together with energy efficiency, we need to identify appropriate technologies and applications and demonstrate that they are sustainable solutions. GreenGulf’s joint study with Chevron provides a strong foundation on which to build that knowledge and ensure that we are updated on this rapidly moving industry.”

Dr Tidu Maini, Executive Chairman of QSTP, said that the project will go a long way towards making solar energy an affordable alternative to fossil fuels. “In order to commercialize solar technologies and realize their full potential we must carefully understand the environmental effects such as dust, humidity, and radiation patterns. From this we can build realistic cost parameters based on actual conditions in Qatar. I commend Chevron and GreenGulf on their partnership and am proud that QSTP will be the center for this vital solar research.”

The QSTP project is not the only one testing the potential of solar power in the region. During an Earth Day Qatar event organized by Qatar Foundation International, an initiative of Qatar Foundation, it was announced that four schools in Qatar are to be run by solar power.

Doha Independent Secondary School, Al Bayan Education Complex for Girls, The Yarmouk Independent Preparatory School for Boys and Al Raba’a Adiwiyya School for Girls will make the switch next year under the ‘Solar Schools’ project being run by GreenGulf, Qatar School Technologies, and SolarWorld, which has entered into a joint venture with Qatar Foundation to develop solar power in the region. As well as installing solar panels in the schools to provide power, the project will also feature classroom education to involve students and teachers.

“We hope that this new teaching model will get students excited about science while at the same time encouraging environmentally responsible behavior that they will carry with them into adulthood,” said Omran Al Kuwari, CEO of GreenGulf.

The announcement was made at the Earth Day Qatar event, held at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, which was attended by Dr Saif Ali Al Hajari, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation; US Ambassador Joseph LeBaron; and Beth Larson, International Education Manager of the Earth Day Network.

The event also featured workshops at which students from the four schools, plus the visiting Boston Arts Academy, learned about renewable energy and the environment. The day culminated in the participants helping clean up Al Wakra beach.

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