Dana AbouHassanain, Alah Omar, Hasan Shomar, Mostafa Faraj, Kushal Guruvasudevan

Team 1 – ENGL 210 – 501

Dr. Mary Queen

Problem Statement
Problem
Qatar's climate is characterized as hot and arid, with summer temperatures frequently
exceeding 45°C (113°F). (World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, n.d.) This extreme
heat has driven a substantial demand for air conditioning, resulting in a significant
proportion of the country's energy consumption. However, due to its heavy reliance on non-
renewable energy sources, Qatar has seen an increase in greenhouse gas emissions,
intensifying global warming and contributing to climate change. ‘Qatar has the highest per
capita carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, at 35.6 metric tons per person.’ (Global per
Capita CO2 Emissions by Country 2021, 2021) The International Energy Agency (IEA) has also
identified Qatar as one of the world's largest per capita energy consumers and highlighted
the urgent need for the country to adopt more sustainable energy practices. (Qatar -
Countries & Regions, 2016)
Addressing the high energy consumption in Qatar is a vital step towards the country's long-
term sustainable development. A shift towards a more sustainable and efficient energy
system would not only reduce the country's dependence on non-renewable energy sources
but would also create new opportunities for economic growth and diversification. This
would allow Qatar to develop new industries, improve infrastructure, and create
employment opportunities, thereby contributing to the overall well-being of its citizens.
Furthermore, reducing energy consumption would lead to cost savings for consumers and
make energy more accessible, promoting greater social equity. By reducing the energy bills
of households and businesses, the cost savings could be channeled towards other areas of
expenditure, ultimately resulting in a better standard of living for all Qatari citizens.
Transitioning to a sustainable energy system would also have a considerable positive impact
on the environment. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and slowing down global
warming, Qatar can demonstrate its commitment to combating climate change and playing
its part in the global effort to reduce carbon emissions. This would have significant long-
term benefits not only for Qatar but for the whole world.

Purpose
The aim of our research is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the underlying factors
that contribute to high electric energy consumption within the residential sector in Qatar.
We aim to clearly outline and depict the root causes of this problem, therefore guiding us to
create effective criteria that will help find possible engineering solutions to reduce energy
consumption in Qatar, promoting sustainability and supporting the Qatar National Vision
2030. By understanding the underlying factors that contribute to high energy consumption,
we can develop a more nuanced understanding of the issue and identify the most effective
solution to minimise energy consumption.

Objectives
In this project we aim to identify the major sources of energy consumption in Qatar. This
would involve conducting an analysis focused on energy consumption patterns in Qatar,
including sources of energy consumption, including, but not limited to the residential usage
of energy. This analysis may also examine the different types of energy consumed, such as
electricity, natural gas, and petroleum. By quantifying the impact of energy consumption on
the environment, economy, and society, this objective can help to prioritize areas for action
and inform the development of effective solutions.
Moreover, we aim to attempt developing strategies and recommendations for reducing
energy consumption and promoting energy efficiency in Qatar. This may involve changes to
infrastructure, such as more efficient buildings or transportation systems, as well as changes
to behavior, such as promoting energy conservation among individuals and businesses. The
recommendations may also include policy measures, such as regulations, incentives, or
information campaigns, to encourage energy efficiency.
Despite Qatar having already taken some measures to address energy consumption, we
plan on further assessing the effectiveness of existing policies and identifying potential gaps
or opportunities for improvement. For example, the analysis may look at the degree to
which policies have been implemented and enforced, the incentives that exist to encourage
behavior change, and the barriers that may prevent people or businesses from adopting
more sustainable practices.

By posting our report of recommendations for potential solutions and periodically

monitoring changes in the energy consumption levels in Qatar, we can determine the
effectiveness of the above-mentioned steps of action and evaluate the analyses made as
well as the recommendations given on potential solutions to aid with the reduction of the
energy consumption in Qatar.

Scope
The problem of high residential electricity consumption and its associated impacts on
various sectors is a significant issue in Qatar. While specific communities or groups of people
may have different electricity consumption levels, the problem is not limited to a particular
area or population. Instead, it is a broader issue that affects the entire country and its
residents.
In terms of addressing this problem, several factors may impact decision-making. These
could include social factors, such as cultural attitudes towards energy consumption and
conservation; economic factors, such as the cost of electricity and energy efficiency
measures; and environmental factors, such as the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on
the local and global environment. (Saffouri et al., 2017)
When narrowing down on the TAMUQ campus and Education City as a whole, sdditional
factors may be required to adhere to, such as balancing energy consumption with the
demands of research and academic activities. However, the problem of high residential
electricity consumption and its associated environmental impacts is a challenge that affects
all residents of Qatar and requires a coordinated effort to address it. (Andric & Al-Ghamdi,
2020)
Factors influencing other people's decisions on this problem could include social, political,
and regulatory considerations, such as balancing energy demand with energy security and
economic growth. Additionally, individual attitudes toward energy consumption and
conservation may vary depending on various factors, such as age, income, and education
level. For low-wage workers, electricity costs may represent a significant portion of their
income. They may live in tiny houses and share electricity with others, leading to a focus on
minimizing energy consumption to save money. Additionally, workers may have irregular
schedules and work long hours, making them less likely to be home during peak energy
usage. In addition, white-collar households, households where the occupants work in office
jobs, electricity consumption may be higher due to the high usage of electronic devices such
as computers, printers, and smartphones. These households may also have larger living
spaces that require more heat or cooling energy. However, because these households tend
to have higher incomes, they may be less likely to worry about electricity costs and more
likely to prioritize convenience and comfort.

Moreover, when focusing on Qatari households, many Qatari families have high disposable
income levels. As a result, they may be more likely to use energy-intensive appliances and
gadgets, such as air conditioning and swimming pools. Because Qatar is in a hot desert
climate, air conditioning is necessary for much of the year, leading to higher energy
consumption. (Alrawi et al., 2019)
Regarding user considerations, factors such as the cost of electricity and the perceived
benefits of energy efficiency measures may be necessary to keep in mind. Additionally,
cultural, and social factors, such as the importance of hospitality and air conditioning in the
hot climate of Qatar, may also play a role in individual decision-making around energy use.
Overall, addressing the problem of high residential electricity consumption in Qatar will
require a multifaceted approach considering a range of social, economic, environmental,
and cultural factors.

Previous and current research

Ranked one of the world's top five energy consumers at 37.24 billion kWh (Energy
Consumption in Qatar, 2020), Qatar consumes significant amounts of energy in various
ways. Amongst other sources, the construction of buildings and infrastructure involves a
considerable amount of energy, as does the energy-intensive process of desalinating fresh
water. Additionally, the energy used to power air conditioning in all buildings is a significant
contributor to energy consumption in the country. Residential use of energy took up 27% of
Qatar’s energy sales in 2009 (Meier et al., 2013) and has grown to take up a higher
percentage ever since. Given that carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption have a
unidirectional causality where the increase of energy consumption increases carbon dioxide
emissions (Chontanawat, 2019), Qatar has become one of the countries with the highest
carbon dioxide emissions (Ritchie & Roser, 2021). This highlights the urgent need to
significantly reduce energy consumption in the country to mitigate the negative impact on
the environment.
Although Qatar has taken some measures to limit energy consumption, such as building a
solar power plant to support a carbon-neutral FIFA World Cup (Qatar's New Solar Power
Plant, 2022), its overall energy consumption remains alarmingly high, especially given its
goal of becoming a fully developed country by 2030 (Qatar Today, 2020). Therefore, it is
crucial that further action is taken to reduce energy consumption and mitigate the negative
environmental impact, including carbon dioxide emissions. Since 65% of Qatar's produced
power is used to cool buildings, a professor at Qatar University advises integrating Phase
Change Materials (PCMs), which are accessible, affordable, and environmentally safe, into
building structures (The Peninsula, 2021). This will significantly lower Qatar's energy use.
Another potential solution would be a technology that has already been implemented in
some countries and has proven to be a successful reduction factor for energy usage. These
Pavagen tiles can transform kinetic energy from footsteps into 2-5 joules of electrical energy
(Pavegen, 2022). Recently, these tiles were installed at the Ford Essence Festival as a part of
a gamification strategy to promote their all-electric SUV. This not only raised awareness
about sustainability among festival goers but also demonstrated the potential of the
technology.
The installation of Pavagen tiles could offer a unique opportunity to increase the use of
renewable energy sources in Education City. Given the extensive foot traffic on as well as
between campuses, these tiles have the potential to generate a significant amount of
energy, which could be used to power various facilities in the city and thus reducing the
dependence on non-renewable energy sources. Moreover, the implementation of this
innovative technology could also contribute to promoting sustainability awareness among
students and faculty, and the broader community. By showcasing the potential of
renewable energy generation, it could encourage people to adopt more sustainable
practices in their daily lives.
The issue of high energy consumption in the residential sector could also be battled by
introducing the usage of LED (light-emitting diode) lighting. LED lighting is an energy-
efficient lighting technology that uses significantly less electricity than traditional
incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs use semiconductor technology to convert electricity into
light, which generates much less heat than incandescent bulbs, resulting in much higher
energy efficiency. (Energy Star, 2019)
The main advantage of LED lighting is that it consumes up to 75% less energy than
traditional bulbs, which means lower energy bills for households and businesses. LED lights
also have a much longer lifespan than traditional bulbs, lasting up to 25 times longer, which
reduces the need for frequent replacements and saves even more money in the long run.
(US Department of Energy, n.d.)
Environmentally speaking, another benefit of LED lighting is that it produces much less heat
than traditional bulbs. This means that air conditioning systems do not have to work as hard
to cool rooms, resulting in further energy savings. Starbucks for example, the multinational
coffeehouse chain, has implemented several initiatives to reduce its energy consumption
and carbon footprint, including the use of LED lighting in its stores. In 2008, Starbucks began
installing LED lighting in its stores as part of its efforts to become more energy-efficient and
environmentally sustainable. (How Starbucks Saves Millions | Greenbiz, n.d.)

The use of LED lighting has helped Starbucks reduce its energy consumption and operating
costs significantly. According to the company, LED lighting uses up to 50% less energy than
traditional lighting, which has helped Starbucks save thousands of dollars on its energy bills.
(How Starbucks Saves Millions | Greenbiz, n.d.) Furthermore, LED lighting has a longer
lifespan than traditional lighting, which reduces the need for frequent replacements and
maintenance. This has resulted in lower maintenance costs and less waste generated by
replacing old bulbs.

User Needs
Given Qatar's population, this is an alarmingly high average, and therefore, there is a
growing need to explore sustainable alternatives to meet the country's energy needs.
Renewable energy sources like solar, biomass, geothermal, wind, and hydroelectric power
can significantly reduce the adverse environmental effects caused by high energy
consumption, such as air, water, thermal, and solid waste pollution. (Meier et al., n.d.)
Adoption of renewable energy sources can lead to several benefits, including environmental
sustainability, stable energy costs, cost savings for residents, and significant economic
growth. This is particularly important for Qatar, which has not witnessed significant
economic growth since the 2016 blockade. To achieve these benefits, Qatar must prioritize
investments in infrastructure that supports renewable energy production.
Given the pressing need to mitigate the negative impacts of high energy consumption and
ensure a sustainable future, it is vital for Qatar to prioritize the transition to renewable
energy. This will not only create a better future for the country and its residents but also set
an example for the rest of the world in the fight against climate change.

Design constraints
Qatar's climate poses a challenge when it comes to energy consumption, particularly during
the hot summer months where temperatures can reach extremely high levels. However, a
viable solution is to focus on implementing renewable energy sources such as solar and
wind energy. (Meier et al., n.d.)
The Qatari government can make solar energy an optional choice for its citizens by
encouraging them to install solar panels on their rooftops. Alternatively, the government
can invest in the development of large solar panel farms in unpopulated areas of the Qatari
desert. This way, the country can generate sufficient energy to meet the demands of its
growing population. The second option is recommended because it offers greater economic
benefits as it ensures a stable source of energy and can help create job opportunities for
Qatari residents. (Qatar - Countries & Regions, 2016)
In addition to solar energy, wind energy is another promising renewable energy source for
Qatar. The coastal areas and offshore locations in Qatar experience high wind speeds,
making it ideal for the installation of wind turbines that can generate electricity from kinetic
energy. (Karami Lakeh, 2021) However, it is important to note that wind turbines may be
susceptible to damage in harsh weather conditions, which is a risk that can be mitigated by
investing more in solar energy instead.
Qatar mainly has access to only these two types of renewable energies mentioned above.
For example, hydropower is one of the most promising renewable energy sources in the
world, but it can’t be used in Qatar for several reasons. Qatar’s limited water resources
stand in the way as the country is a desert country with very limited freshwater resources.
Without a significant source of flowing water, it is not practical to generate hydropower.
(Chontanawat, 2019)
By adopting renewable energy, Qatar can significantly reduce its carbon footprint and
promote a more sustainable future. Not only will this contribute to global efforts to combat
climate change, but it will also lead to a more stable economy, create jobs, and reduce
dependency on non-renewable sources of energy. Thus, it is crucial that Qatar invests in
infrastructure that supports the development of renewable energy sources, particularly
solar energy, to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for the country and its people.
(Terrapass, 2020)
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