Energy efficiency is an energy source and an important building block for sustainable development as it strengthens the national energy security, reduces stress on power plants and minimizes the harmful impact from carbon emissions and air pollution on the environment. A successful energy efficiency research and development requires a comprehensive program that promotes energy efficiency in all key sectors of the economy, including the Built Environment, Oil and Gas, and industry.
The Energy Efficiency and Value-Added Products research portfolio was created in October 2016 during consolidation and restructuring activities within QEERI to enable the integration of energy efficiency into Qatar’s national economy. The portfolio’s research areas and activities are focused on built environment, supply chain management, and value-added products from the oil and gas industry. The main objectives are to provide tools and measures that can help reduce the energy consumption of buildings by 10-20 percent by 2022, optimize container movement and the truck appointment system (TAS) in the Qatar New Port, and advance key research areas related to the oil and gas industry in Qatar, respectively.
Some examples of current research activities within this portfolio include energy optimization of district cooling systems, energy-efficient dehumidification of intake air to cooling towers, smart technologies in home energy management, containers port supply chain energy management and optimization, process development and optimization of the Acid Gas Removal (AGR) processes for enhancing sour gas loading and reducing high energy consumption. In addition, developing a catalyst for CO2 conversion to useful products.
Developed the energy-smart thermostat proof of concept (built and tested). This smart thermostat utilizes temperature and humidity conditions to determine a new temperature set point that is either more energy efficient and/or provides more comfort level to the end user. The initial results are promising. A thermostat simulation tool using MATHLAB tool is being built and will be used for further R/D. A patent application has been filed through the IPTT office.
A dynamic model of the liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE) has been developed using numerical tool (COMSOL) and validated using analytical solution and published data. This model showcases the potential savings from dehumidification of the inlet ambient air to the cooling tower in District Cooling plants.
Developed an efficient method for finding optimal procedure for loading containers from the bay to the vessel. The method has been applied on the standardly used model (Block Relocation Problem). The chosen approach is Ant Colony Optimization.
Developed a techno-economic model for acid gas removal (AGR) that shows high potential savings and an estimated ROI of 5 months. This method utilizes a novel optimization technique for the design and operation parameters of AGR to generate steam through inter-cooling process at absorption stage and from stripper. Two patent disclosures have been filed.
Executed a lab abroad program at TNO research labs (Netherlands) to modify a new combination of potential solvents, VLE measurements were conducted as well. Done ahead of the arrival of laboratory equipment to QEERI.
Functional chemical synthetic lab for the value added products from hydrocarbons to perform synthesis is near conclusion. In addition, significant progress has been made in establishing a functional catalysis and high throughput catalysis laboratory