Chevron Qatar Energy Technology, an affiliate of Chevron Corporation, and GreenGulf Inc., a Qatar-based renewable energy and clean technology company, today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding for a joint study to test solar energy technologies and their application in Qatar. The research will be performed at Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP).
The project will collect and evaluate the data provided by technologies to be located at a 35,000 square meter solar test site at QSTP. The project will also study the performance of different photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies. The project supports QSTP’s strategy for assisting in the development of a national solar energy industry in Qatar. Solar technologies vary in their sensitivity to dust and heat and use different amounts of land and water, which can reflect their relative costs.
Measurements obtained over a period of years under Qatar climate conditions are expected to help local planners evaluate, select and install technologies best suited to local conditions. Under the memorandum of understanding Chevron and GreenGulf will each invest up to $10 million in the study program, with Chevron’s investment 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.
Omran Al-Kuwari, CEO of GreenGulf Inc, said “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.”
Carl Atallah, Vice President of Chevron Qatar Energy Technology, said “Bringing together parties with appropriate strengths is the key to successful projects. Chevron’s technical expertise, GreenGulf’s entrepreneurial vision and Qatar Foundation’s science community at QSTP bring together excellent resources for studying solar energy. Chevron is proud to take a lead technical role in this study on sustainable energy in Qatar.”
Dr. Tidu Maini, Science & Technology Advisor to HH Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned and Executive Chairman of QSTP, said “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 Qatar conditions. I commend Chevron and GreenGulf on their partnership and am proud that QSTP will be the center for this vital solar research.”
