CHAIRMAN: DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: DR. KHALID MUBARAK AL-SHAFI

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QEERI Solar Consortium to promote energy ecosystem

Published: 08 Aug 2018 - 12:03 am | Last Updated: 03 Nov 2021 - 11:19 pm
Peninsula

The Peninsula

DOHA: In an effort to promote research, development and innovation of solar-related technologies within desert climates, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute has launched the QEERI Solar Consortium — a membership-based program for research, testing and demonstration of groundbreaking solar-energy technologies.

QEERI is one of Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) national research institutes. QEERI Solar Consortium brings together researchers, engineers, technology producers, project developers and local authorities from the solar energy field, to shape a common focus on practical tests of solar-based devices and systems within Qatar’s desert environment.

The program’s inaugural meeting, which was held at the QEERI Offices, was attended by the Consortium’s board members including the Director of Energy Affairs Department of the Ministry of Energy and Industry, Sheikh Mishal Jabor Al Thani, Manager of Conservation and Energy Efficiency at Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa), Eng. Abdul Aziz Al Hammadi; QEERI Executive Director, Dr Marc Vermeersch, Senior Research Director for Energy at QEERI and Chair of the Consortium, Dr Veronica Bermudez Benito and several global industry leaders.

The meeting discussed the QEERI Solar Consortium’s operations strategy, which aims to demonstrate, validate and accelerate the development of solar-energy technologies suited to desert climates. The members of the Consortium will have access to field test data of reference technologies as well as advanced industrial laboratory capabilities, in order to conduct research for the development of the industry.

The Solar Consortium will contribute to drive research, development, and innovation efforts to address main industry challenges in the solar-energy sector. The members will contribute to it by defining research on technical issues of common interest to accelerate the development and deployment of solar energy in Qatar, whilst positioning the nation as a leading example in solar-research within desert-conditions.

Commenting on the successful launch of the Consortium, Dr Bermudez said: “One of QEERI’s primary goals is to assist in overcoming Qatar’s Grand Challenges in relation to energy security. To that effect, we do extensive work in the field of solar energy and its integration within the broader global energy system.”

“There are many challenges that are specific to the country such as its desert climate that is characterized by extreme temperature conditions, as well as specific dust and atmospheric features including soiling. Building a solid understanding of the reliability and degradation pathways is a key component for the future economic competitiveness of solar technologies.”