Qatar Environment, Energy Research Institute Attracts New Team of Researchers

Doha, October 09 (QNA) - With talent from a variety of energy, environmental and ecological research fields, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), a member of Qatar Foundation, has sealed its first phase of hiring and is preparing to embark on a second phase.
Fifteen recruited scientists, hailing from around the world, recently held their first meeting to discuss the organization's long-term strategy.
The scientists spent a week considering QEERI's overall mission as well as drafting research proposals on subjects such as renewable solar energy technologies, air quality, Qatar's energy footprint, water desalination, soil and environment, spatial data collection and analysis and the potential uses for nanotechnology in solar energy projects.
"Qatar is extremely well-placed to drive innovation in renewable energy technology. It has the resources and increasingly has a strong scientific community to draw talent from," said Dr. Rabi Mohtar, QEERI Executive Director.
"The country also faces a number of ecological challenges . QEERI will have much to contribute in terms of safeguarding Qatar's marine ecologies, plant and animal diversity and air quality," Dr. Rabi added.
According to Dr Mohtar, QEERI will soon be looking into how the institute can help Qatar in its optimal operation of the oil and gas sector. This activity will be co-ordinated with the appropriate agencies in Qatar.
"While we are trying to move away from a carbon economy to a knowledge- based economy, it also makes perfect sense to use revenues from finite oil and gas supplies to research new, more sustainable energy sources," Dr Mohtar said.
QEERI commenced its activities in January 2011 and is now becoming fully operational.
Dr Mohtar and his team are now working towards QEERI's aim of becoming a regional hub for energy and environment research, pulling in expertise from QF's branch campuses and hi-tech companies based at Qatar Science & Technology Park, as well as Qatar University, to work on collaborative projects. Another key goal is to establish QEERI as a worldwide center of excellence and a reference body on dry area research.
The new team of scientists has already identified solar energy, air quality, water desalination, water/soil interaction and water quality as key research areas. Much of the institute's early work will focus on data collection and monitoring, and to this end the scientists have begun developing research projects such as wind and solar mapping of Qatar, improved monitoring of air quality, soil and water.
Dr Mohtar emphasized that QEERI would not allow its broad field of research areas to detract from its focus.
"Initially our main focus will be on the field of solar energy research, because the success in this area will be of greatest immediate benefit to Qatar. Burning less fossil fuels will reduce Qatar's carbon footprint, improve air quality and reduce the incidence of respiratory illness. Furthermore, because of the dry, hot and sunny climate, Qatar has good potential to utilize solar as a viable energy source. The application of solar energy to water desalination is a particularly exciting prospect," Dr Mohtar added.
While the main purpose of QEERI will be to conduct research, the findings of the institute may be shared with corporations such as those based at QSTP in order to develop commercially viable new technologies, Dr Mohtar said.
There will be chances for Qatari students at QF branches, Qatar University and College of North Atlantic to get involved in the work of QEERI through internships that will allow them to submit and work on their own research papers, he added.
"Getting students involved is important for the development of the next generation of scientists and engineers. Working with QEERI will be a great challenge and a great learning experience for them," he said. (QNA)