Qatar Sustainable Water & Energy Utilization Initiative (QWE). Water and environmental research activities at TAMUQ

Abstract

Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) has very active and well-established environmental and water research and development program. TAMUQ has recently founded the Qatar Sustainable Water and Energy Utilization Initiative (QWE) which is a center of excellence for open and cooperative research, and capacity building established to address the sustainable environmental, water and energy efficiency issues relevant to Qatar. With current R&D projects worth in excess of USD 6 million, the QWE builds upon a strong scientific and technological base of direct relevance to Qatar. The QWE initiative aims to sustain and expand this critical knowledge resource to provide knowledge and technology transfer to stakeholders; to provide technical services; to provide continuity to the R&D efforts; to support long-term national programs; to engage in campaigns to promote the need for environmental protection and sustainable water and energy utilization to the wider public; and, of special importance, to develop the human capacity needed to address scientific and technical issues related to Qatar's current and future needs in these areas. The QWE team consists of twelve highly qualified research staff members is working on several research projects which are of direct benefit to the Qatar community. Current research projects cover the following areas: Environmental impact assessment and management Integrated water resources management Hybrid desalination systems and systems analysis for solar desalination Zero liquid discharge systems Water and energy systems analysis, integration and optimization Hazardous waste management Advanced water and wastewater treatment processes The presentation will outline the initiative and share results and insights developed across the numerous research projects carried out at the QWE. We will specifically focus on the direct link between research and capacity building activities and the development of tailored solutions to real problems observed in the region.