On the Conceptual Design of Integrated National Renewable Energy and Water Desalination Infrastructure Systems

Abstract

Abstract The Qatar National Food Security Programme (QNFSP) is an initiative by the Heir Apparent of the State of Qatar, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, with the broad remit of developing a sustainable solution to the Nation's current food insecurity due to almost complete dependency on food imports. QNFSP develops a comprehensive solution that covers multiple dimensions from policies and regulations through to infrastructure design. Part of the solution will be an increase in domestic agricultural production, which necessitates significant additional desalination capacity. For reasons of sustainability, the energy demand from desalination will be met by renewable and clean energy sources. Besides desalination and energy generation, aquifer storage will be a key component of the QNFSP infrastructure. Complex interactions exist between the different QNFSP water and energy infrastructure components as well as with already existing infrastructure components in other sectors. A number of alternative scena...