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A Gulf Intelligence
The Future of
Qatar’s Water Security
Aligning Academia & Industry up to 2030 and Beyond...
Contents
“We never know 02 Foreword: The Clock is Ticking
06
Qatar’s Water Security: Our Journey Has Just Begun
By H.E. Essa Bin Hilal Al-Kuwari, President, Kahramaa
29 Forum Attendees
650
Population Committee estimates focused on to have the greatest impact
that residents consume 675 litres of at the fastest rate? Time is ticking.
water per capita per day – nearly twice Though inevitably multifaceted, the
the average consumption in the EU. solution must be underpinned by a
Accordingly, Qatar’s Mega Reservoir – holistic effort. Industry, academia and
one of the largest of its kind worldwide government must unite their efforts to million people worldwide live
– is increasing the country’s national fix today’s water crisis – and quickly. n without access to clean water.
W
objectives with those in
ater security is at the very and behavioural change to ensure that coming decades. the National programme for the only way we can all succeed. We must industry, including utilities.
heart of Qatar’s survival. tomorrow’s supply is safe. Our water We are not the only ones readdressing Conservation and Efficient Use of Water collectively improve Qatar’s water 2. Encourage and adopt new
Aside from our basic human resources today are becoming strained our traditional views of managing our and Electricity, in 2012 with plans to security by finding solutions that technologies in water
survival, our geopolitical security, due to the fact that we only get seven water. The World Economic Forum’s reduce the country’s water consumption navigate the logistical and cultural production, transmission,
economy, industries and communities inches of rain per year and the country’s Global Risks 2015 Report ranked water by 35% within five years. barriers that stand in our way. n distribution and consumption.
all rely on a guaranteed and safe water population is growing – today’s 2.5 as the global risk with the greatest 3. Increase the level of man-
supply. Accordingly, bettering Qatar’s million (m) residents are forecast to potential to impact economies and made and natural water
35% 150
water security outlook is one of the multiply eightfold by 2050. Plus, more societies over the next decade, which storage capacity.
country’s three Key Challenges in the water is needed for our expanding will inevitably force all countries
In Numbers 4. Encourage and support the
99.8%
National Vision 2030, along with energy agricultural and industrial sectors. to better their water management use of treated and recycled
security and cyber security. Water demand in Qatar has grown strategies. water in industries, landscape
The pressure on Qatar’s water by an annual average of 10.6% over the Kahramaa, whose water networks The number of and construction works.
resources has grown significantly ten years, with last year’s 535m cubic cover 99.8% of Qatar’s water supply, Qatar plans to reduce the countries where 5. Support and incentivize water
Kahramaa’s water networks
country’s water consumption desalination is used
over the last decade and we are at the meters of water consumption expected ensures that everybody has access cover 99.8% of Qatar’s water conservation and efficient
by 35% within five years. to help meet water
requirements.
beginning of our journey of innovation to hit 900m cubic meters by 2025. If to clean water. Water conservation, demand. water use throughout Qatar.
C
‘ hange’ is a simple word, but to achieve it takes Equally, Qatar’s academia cannot do research purely
considerable financial and human capital. for the sake of research. Efforts have to be focused in
Over the last ten years, Qatar’s brightest minds order to deliver results that are useful to the industry
have been dedicated to successfully designing and
building the country’s research and development
and to Qatar’s economy as a whole.
It must be a holistic and organized effort.
The brightest young
(R&D) ecosystem across multiple platforms. Platforms where industry and academia can minds in Qatar need
Qatar’s sweeping remit to boost its R&D has been communicate are essential to ensure that each side
sharply focused on meeting the country’s three Key is moving in a similar direction. Clearer processes
to think critically and to
Challenges, as outlined by Qatar’s National Vision would also boost Qatar’s ability to do applied see a problem with fresh
2030: energy security, cyber security and water research – research that answers a specific question
security. – which can lead to innovative technologies in the eyes. Fuelling the spirit of
After a very successful decade and with 2030 energy, cyber and water sectors. Commercializing innovation throughout the
rapidly approaching, Qatar must change gear. Qatar and exporting these innovations is another tick in
must focus on collecting precise results from all Qatar’s box to become a knowledge-based economy country’s youth is imperative.”
our R&D studies under the three Key Challenges to by 2030.
generate fresh intelligence that enables us to progress A knowledge-based economy means moving
at a faster rate. away from a dependence on oil and gas revenues
The small size of Qatar could be a weakness, as the and instead, focusing on elevating the intellect and
country’s population of 2.5 million (m) people could expertise of nationals in Qatar.
translate into a lack of human resources. Equally, The economic impact of lower oil prices on
being a small country has enabled Qatar to accelerate budgets should not be allowed to curb R&D
its progress and innovate faster than some others. associated with Qatar’s three Key Challenges. A large
Instead of achieving our targets over a 25 year period, majority (86%) of respondents to a Gulf Intelligence
we were able to achieve our goals in ten years, for Industry Survey in April said that continuing such
example. Small is good, especially if we have a global investments is an absolute must-have. Maintaining
vision and if we interact with others both regionally this momentum is especially important as 42% of
and globally to build a strong and multifaceted respondents said that Qatar’s management of its
network. three Key Challenges is not urgent enough.
But Qatar’s three Key Challenges will not succeed Qatar’s push for a knowledge-based economy is
without a clear alliance between its industry and at the heart of its energy, cyber and water security
academia. Gaps in this relationship could have targets. It is something that is often spoken
significant and negative consequences as the years about, but to actually shift the mission statement
roll on and if not addressed, Qatar’s progress will not of a country’s economy and culture is a great
accelerate as quickly as we need it to. undertaking.
Industry should be ready to help academia propel Building laboratories, establishing research
their learning and research capabilities and ensure programmes and widening the country’s PhD
that it has the tools it needs to facilitate world class offering is not enough.
R&D. This includes investing in new laboratories, or We also need to adjust the way we think. The
particular research projects where companies can brightest young minds in Qatar need to think
also contribute their practical on-site expertise and critically and to see a problem with fresh eyes.
knowledge. Better communicating the type of talent Fuelling the spirit of innovation throughout the
pool that industry expects to need over the coming country’s youth is imperative. This is how change
decades would also help academia prepare today’s begins and without a united effort between industry
curriculum to create tomorrow’s professionals. and academia, Qatar’s goals will falter. n
Spearhead
Subsequently, the country does
as innovations in the field.” not have the local capability and
facilities to independently lead a
of 2.5m is expected to rise by eightfold – placing more of an emphasis on the national effort to spur technological
by 2050, which will put additional country’s intellectual assets, rather and legislative innovations. Equally,
pressure on the country’s strained than hydrocarbons. governmental support is integral in
water resources. If we want to replicate the success helping researchers conjure concepts in
Government-led action is vital in not story that I had in the UK in Qatar, the laboratory before turning them into
Q
atar’s government is critical to For instance, I was able to bring a throughout the country to realize programme, which is the National
establishing clear mandates By Dr. ADEL SHARIF business to the market at the Centre their potential. Campaign for the Conservation and
by encouraging the interaction Research Director, Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute (QEERI) for Osmosis Research and Applications All of us in Qatar – government, Efficient Use of Water and Electricity.
of the country’s entities in order to (CORA) at the University of Surrey in industry and academia – need to be Tarsheed plans to reduce the
improve today’s strained water security and institutions within industry and network is running short. The demand the UK, as the universities there have concise when speaking about who is country’s water consumption by 35%
outlook. An isolated approach rarely academia to work together. Today’s for water in Qatar is expected to rise a system that emphasizes the positive best to lead the push to improve the within 5 years. If achieved, this tight
works and while the support and communication between the two can be by 1.6x from the 535 million (m) cubic impact of research. My idea was country’s water security challenge. If target would help establish a global
cooperation of industry and academia limited and that gap must be bridged meters last year to 902m cubic meters supported by the university because the question is whether Qatar should benchmark and support Qatar’s push
are vital, it is the government that for Qatar to hit its National Vision 2030 by 2025, which is a staggering rate of it was in line with the government’s put everything that relates to water to become a knowledge-based economy
outlines the country’s vision and goals – the time to create a cohesive growth in just a decade. The population mandate. The support for water under a government-led umbrella, by 2030.
objectives. research and subsequent innovations then the answer is clearly no. If we Government, industry and academia
The government has the authority could improve Qatar’s water are talking about putting everything are equally crucial pieces of the jigsaw
and capacity to encourage executives management and will also gain traction that specifically relates to the national that Qatar must finish to ensure the
as the government deepens its push priority of improving water security up country’s water security up to 2030
to build a knowledge-based economy to 2030 and beyond, then the answer and beyond. While government should
is yes. spearhead a new water culture, all three
must fulfil their obligations – the clock
is ticking. n
O
il and gas operations usually produced water using today’s measures
generate significant quantities of is expensive, as produced water tends
water from reservoirs – globally, to be a poorer quality than sea water
the average ratio is three barrels of – which is used for desalination – and
produced water for one barrel of oil. requires advanced treatment. The
Water-strained Qatar faces a tricky process is made more complicated by
outlook, as it is the world’s largest the fact that there are only tailor made
In Numbers liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter solutions for treating produced water
Produced water is a by-product of and also produces 680,000 barrels a day – the quality differs in every field – and
oil and gas production. Globally, (b/d) of oil. Qatar’s produced water is there is a further distinction between the
roughly three barrels of water are either treated and then re-injected into treatments of gas associated water and
produced with every barrel of oil. a reservoir to help sustain the pressure, water produced during oil production.
Should regional energy producers
consider this resource as an:
or it is directed to a disposal well. The This means Qatar must explore multiple
economic incentives for oil and gas solutions, which has both cost and
70% 30% companies have to improve so that human capital implications.
Asset Liability produced water is nearly always reused, Qatar aims to reduce around 30%
or recycled. of its total produced water over the
There is an urgent need to establish medium-term, which is a considerable
standard treatment procedures of goal given the aforementioned ratio of
produced water, but such efforts have not 3:1. Qatar has a window of opportunity
gained traction in Qatar. Industry and to place its research and development
water experts argue that the government (R&D) teams and industry at the
has not defined firm guidelines for quality forefront of the global wave of water
standards and that there is little context in innovation by leveraging the country’s
Source: Gulf Intelligence Industry Survey
terms of international best practice. strong academic base and industrial
Produced water is a potentially infrastructure.
H2O H2O H2O Oil valuable source of water and could prove Exporting knowledge on how best
highly useful for Qatar’s bid to improve to recycle and reuse produced water
its long-term water security, as per the in a cost-efficient manner, especially
3:1
National Vision 2030. The economic against the backdrop of low oil prices,
argument for reusing, or recycling will elevate Doha’s intellectual profile
produced water can be justified if low and support its goal to both improve its
The average ratio globally is
three barrels of produced water
cost treatment plants and technologies water security and become a knowledge-
for one barrel of oil. are applied to the process. But, treating based economy by 2030.
T
he way Qatar’s industries view friendly way. There is little value in
water consumption is undergoing improving the supply-demand water
a paradigm shift and the spotlight balance if industries that are vital to the
is increasingly focused on seeking country’s GDP suffer financially.
out cost-effective strategies to reduce The establishment of a clearer
wastewater and ramp up the percentage regulatory framework by the
of recycled and reused water. Energy, government – a new rule book,
agriculture, hospitality and construction essentially – would give industry much-
are just a few of the sectors that must needed guidance. Such a structure
embrace change and adjustments are would be a healthy mix of a top-down
needed across the spectrum, from and bottom-up approach and ensure
rethinking endlessly flowing fountains at that all players are accountable for their
hotels to better conserving water in the water consumption. Industry and water
country’s major material industries. experts in Qatar make an important
In Numbers Qatar’s groundwater aquifer receives distinction between the government
There is little value in less than 40 million (m) m3 per year as providing direction and controlling
improving the supply- natural recharge, but around 220m m3
per year is taken out – the imbalance
water consumption – the latter is not as
popular.
demand water balance if makes the need for change obvious. Industries also need to ramp up
10
Small changes like switching from a 2.5 the amount of grey water – used water
industries that are vital to the gallons per minute (GPM) shower head to without fecal contamination – and black
country’s GDP suffer financially.” a 1.5GPM could save up to 10 gallons of water – water used in toilets, for example
Switching from a 2.5 gallons per water in ten minutes. – by encouraging collection points at
minute (GPM) shower head in The rise of industrial water demand their offices, or building sites. Some
offices and hotels, for example, appears to be unstoppable as Qatar’s companies are already doing this, but
to a 1.5GPM could save 10G in
population of 2.5m grows alongside the many more must join the table to ensure
ten minutes.
country’s expanding industry. The prime that Qatar’s industries are collectively
concern amongst industry and water moving down a sustainable pathway.
experts is that there appears to be a lack Preserving the country’s environmental
of direction, or even intervention from integrity also remains a priority amongst
the government on how to tackle the industry, with many experts supporting
220
country’s water scarcity. the need to conduct environmental
Qatar is in urgent need of an integrated impact assessments on available water
and holistic industrial water policy, supplies and contamination before
which collectively considers the country’s commencing construction.
Qatar’s groundwater aquifer
receives less than 40m m3/yr, yet water cycle and industries’ mandates to
around 220m m3/yr is taken out ensure that improvements are adopted By Nicholas Carter
– a worrying imbalance. in an environmentally and economically Director – Middle East, Baringa Partners
60%
technologies and processes, such as
cooling towers. The government could
also stipulate the percentage of water
that must be recycled by companies on a
case-by-case basis. Agriculture accounts Agriculture accounts for around
for around 60% of Qatar’s total water 60% of Qatar’s total water
consumption, even though the sector’s Qatar must adopt a preventative approach consumption, even though the
sector’s contribution to the
contribution to the country’s GDP is in to its water scarcity, rather than today’s country’s GDP is in single digits.
single digits. Banning the cultivation of
water guzzling crops entirely and shifting reactionary mind set.”
the planting season to the winter months Adopt a Holistic View
only – Qatar’s summer temperatures and treats industries’ wastewater. The Explore Industrial Symbiosis Qatar’s small size could prove beneficial, 5 Much attention has been given to
average 35 degree Celsius – are necessary lack of an efficient distribution network 3 Industrial water consumption and as industries with a wastewater sharing the benefit of research and development
steps. The agriculture sector could also to transport treated wastewater to the wastage can be split into two camps; (R&D) in Qatar, but the conversation
improve the use of drip irrigation to next user means considerable volumes either within a business, or between agreement would have relatively low transport needs to progress. Qatar needs to
minimise water wastage. Quotas and
the use of treated grey water should be
of treated water – a resource that is
suitable for agriculture and district
businesses. The improvements that
companies can make in-house are well-
costs and travel times.” focus on a more holistic approach that
encompasses technology while also
applied to all sectors, from hospitality cooling, for example – are lost. documented and more attention must examining how all industries function.
to construction. If introduced, all the Aligning the source of the treated be allocated to reducing and reallocating gain traction if strict wastewater quotas environmentally friendly policies and Elevating the level of integration between
suggested economic and non-economic wastewater with an end user not only wastewater between different companies. are introduced. Qatar’s small size could technologies – renewable energy, for the different entities can reduce water
policies would be overseen and regulated helps Qatar monitor the country’s For example, the steel industry produces also prove beneficial, as industries with example – that encourage a sustainable wastage across the board. R&D into water
by the government, or an independent supply-demand water balance, but it fly ash, which can be used in the a wastewater sharing agreement would water supply. It also includes management and technologies should
authority. also makes industry accountable for cement industry – a waste product in have relatively low transport costs and implementing best practices, plugging be synonymous with development –
their consumption and subsequent one company is a cheap resource for travel times. knowledge gaps through R&D and research should be underpinned by
Improve the Distribution wastage. Pinpointing and regulating another. The same theory applies to introducing evaluations of industries’ clear and common goals. At the heart of
2 of Treated Water the destinations and volume of treated Qatar’s water management. There is Create a Water demand for water. The second step a holistic approach is the need for the
Qatar has a widening network of water could be supported by building a no reason why more grey water from a 4 Management Ecosystem involves determining governance full collaboration of industry, academia
collection and treatment systems for dedicated distribution network. company’s offices cannot be treated and Three key pillars support the mechanisms, which industry can use and government. Academia plays a
domestic wastewater, but the same does Kahramaa, whose water networks remarketed as irrigation for a landscaping establishment of a water management as a springboard to implement their in- large role by developing highly-valued
not yet apply to industrial wastewater. cover 99.8% of the country’s water company, for example. Such cooperation ecosystem in Qatar, which could form house water management policies and knowledge and expertise. A collaborative
With Qatar’s industries clustered in supply, has done commendable work adds a revenue-generating asset to the the foundation of an executive master strategies. And the third is the need to approach would ensure that Qatar adopts
Ras Laffan and Mesaieed, it should be in recent years to reduce leaks in its seller’s books, while reducing the cost plan for the country’s water security create an institutional framework that a preventative approach to its water
relatively straightforward to create an distribution network. Still, industries’ of resources for the buyer – a win-win outlook. actions the recommended policies and scarcity, rather than today’s reactionary
overarching framework that manages journey has only just begun. scenario. Similar trade-offs will especially The first pillar details the creation of supports the decision-making process. mind set. n
86%
amount of salt dumped back into the
sea by desalination plants. Qatar’s
9.5bn
temperatures – an average of 35 degrees
16.1m
Celsius in the summer – naturally raise
the salinity content of the surrounding Up to 86% of homes and
waters. Consequently, the facilities Today’s global population of businesses in the region
that manage salinity for wastewater The number of smart meters 7.4bn is expected to soar by could have smart meters
in the Middle East by 2022. 28% to 9.5bn by 2050. installed by 2022.
treatment should be replaced, or
upgraded. Qatar’s overall goal for the
future of desalination should be to have Transforming novel ideas in the technologies disrupts suppliers’ status
zero liquid discharge, including brine. laboratory into innovations that quo and many start to question their
The doubling of the Gulf’s water cut costs and meet environmental financial stability, which is especially
exchange between sea water and standards at desalination plants is the case for small and medium-size
desalinated water – in line with rising a challenging task. A state-owned enterprises (SMEs) – a portion of the
power and water production – is company would have the financial workforce that Qatar is trying to nurture.
expected to lead to an exponential and human capacity to implement a Consequently, suppliers must be
increase in the salinity of Qatar’s fast-track programme for the ideas that incentivized and supported through the
Desalination
water. The surrounding waters have the greatest chance of boosting process – perhaps with technical expertise
could soon be overwhelmed to sustainability at desalination plants. and financial capital – to ensure that
the point that desalination is no Technological innovations could also be Qatar is not left behind in the global race
longer viable. To avoid such a dire explored alongside a partner research for innovation.
outlook, the environmental impact of institution, which would help mend
What are the most effective and sustainable strategies that today’s desalination processes must
immediately be revamped by industry,
the wobbly bridge of communication
between industry and academia. 5
Introduce Tougher Rules
Creating stricter regulations and
Qatar can use to enhance today’s desalination processes? academia and government to ensure
that the method remains a reliable Embrace New Technologies
policies will help curb Qatar’s sometimes
wasteful water use and put less stress on
water source for decades to come. 4 One of the greatest challenges the country’s desalination infrastructure,
facing efforts to improve Qatar’s thus bolstering their sustainability.
D
esalination has proven to per the country’s National Vision 2030. Use Renewables to Power Ownership of the Entire desalination sector is a reluctance Kahramma, made an unprecedented
be a critical and innovative The best route to introducing 1 Desalination Plants 3 Supply Chain to adopt new technologies. This move in the country’s push for water
crutch for Qatar’s water supply. innovative technologies that reduce The world’s first automated and remotely Qatar needs to take control of the impediment stems from the security in January 2016 by reducing
Desalinated water feeds 99% of the the soaring costs of desalination is to controlled desalination plant is located on entire water supply chain, with government’s tendency to make major water subsidies. The company also
country’s municipal demand and the simultaneously invest in the country’s a farm in Qatar and owned by Ali Hussain R&D into home-grown desalination investments on an exceptionally expects to complete the first phase of a
annual growth in demand is climbing water research and development (R&D) Ali Al-Sada. A secure supply of electricity technologies playing a key role. Taking long-term basis, with some timetables smart meter deployment programme
by 10%. But, desalination remains and seek global solutions. Perhaps generated by photovoltaic technology – ownership of the entire supply chain stretching over five decades. This has in Doha this year, which will enable
a very expensive process. Qatar’s Singapore’s work into biomimicry – the conversion of solar energy into direct will streamline the approval process led governments and companies to residents to monitor their individual
current desalination infrastructure and where mangrove plants and fish extract current electricity – and wind technology for the much-needed technological become adverse to change, as they have water consumption and see how they
technologies will struggle to keep pace seawater using minimal energy – could powers the plant. The scale of such a plant innovations. Qatar would own the already spent considerable sums on compare to the national average. This
with the country’s booming population be applied to Qatar? would need revising to meet Qatar’s rising intellectual property (IP) and relevant today’s desalination processes and want bottom-up approach is gaining traction;
and subsequent water demand. The rate The importance of environmental water needs, but the project still highlights licenses, thus alleviating bureaucratic to avoid backtracking. the Middle East’s smart meter market
of technological innovation needs to sustainability must also climb higher the effectiveness of using renewable power. bottlenecks. Water is a fundamental Another key challenge is the posture is expected to reach 16.1m units by
accelerate. on the country’s agenda. Desalination Is this Qatar’s future? Qatar could focus factor in ensuring a country’s economic taken by suppliers, whose main 2022 and nearly all (86%) of homes
The energy efficient desalination is rapidly increasing the already high its R&D on how to use wind, solar and and national security and all relevant objective is to ensure a reliable and and businesses in the region could
technologies being adopted in Qatar salinity content in Qatar’s waters. perhaps even wave technologies to power activities should fall under the umbrella constant delivery of desalinated water. have smart meters installed within
today have been in place in other Aside from jeopardising the marine desalination plants on an industrial scale. of a single state-owned company. A remit to explore and adopt innovative the same period. While slashing water
countries – desalination is practiced in ecosystem, this means that desalination While such exploration may be costly subsidies and rolling out smart meters is
around 150 countries – since the 1980s. plants have to work double time to to start with – particularly considering Qatar could focus its R&D on how to use wind, commendable, Qatar’s regulatory bodies
Using technology that is arguably dated
also fails to support Qatar’s goal to
desalinize even saltier water that is
produced from the initial desalination
the required human capital and testing
equipment – the long-term economic
solar and perhaps even wave technologies to need to continuously tighten up their rule
book to stay ahead of the country’s rising
become a knowledge-based economy as process. gains would pay off. power desalination plants on an industrial scale.” demand for desalinated water. n
R
esearch and development (R&D), There is little value in starting the education. Qatar’s technological and major negative consequence of the Innovation, Innovation, Innovation based economy. It would also enable
underpinned by a strong bedrock country’s water technology portfolio water security goals could flounder desalination process, which currently 2 Time is short and earmarking a Doha to export home-grown innovations
of financial and human capital, from scratch. It makes more sense to without bolstering today’s talent pool of meets 99% of Qatar’s municipal steady flow of finance for targeted R&D to other countries facing water strife.
is critical to create technologies that will elevate the efficiency and capacity of scientific and technical expertise. Plus, needs. Perhaps Qatar could explore projects will increase Qatar’s chances of Others counter that such an isolationist
enable Qatar to better its water security in existing infrastructure, especially when rejuvenating Qatar’s skilled workforce the benefits of establishing a small introducing technological innovations approach threatens to add multiple
a cost-effective and quick manner, as per low oil prices have put considerable is in line with the country’s mandate to and local salt industry? Such a move, to improve its strained water outlook. layers of bureaucracy and slow the speed
the National Vision 2030. strain on energy producers’ budgets. This become a knowledge-based economy or similar pathways, would support While innovations are rarely cheap, of innovation at a time when Qatar is
The three main entities in Qatar – is best done by simultaneously using – one that relies on intellectual value, the country’s economic diversification the evolution of desalination as a already working against the clock.
government, academia and industry innovative technologies and crossover rather than hydrocarbons. goals, as well as its environmental fundamental water management tool Foreign expertise and capital have
– bring their own perspectives, priorities technologies, which are tools used in There is significant appetite amongst commitments. in Qatar and 150 other countries is one been instrumental throughout Qatar’s
and agendas to the brainstorming table. other industries that can be adapted to experts for positive change, but the Qatar’s industry, academia and illustration of how integral investing in history of resource management and the
The country needs academic research enhance water management strategies. clock is ticking and R&D projects and government could also holistically financial and human R&D capital can country still has the option to buy the
goals, government-led priorities and Novel developments could be applied associated funding should be chosen explore ways to cheaply treat wastewater become. rights to technologies, or a license that
an awareness of water consumption to desalination such as permeable carefully to ensure the greatest impact so that it can be used for irrigation. Some experts argue that Qatar’s R&D allows modifications.
throughout industries and communities membrane materials and ‘smart’ up to 2030 and beyond. Ensuring Qatar The country’s arid landscape means teams must create and commercialize There must also be a stronger
to ensure long-term water security. The resource metering. To fuel the spirit of has the technological capability to there are few trees and greater all their water technologies locally, emphasis throughout Qatar’s school
success – and importantly, the speed innovation within Qatar, the country’s strengthen its water security rests largely green cover would help improve air including the local registration of curriculum on enhancing students’
of progress – of such plans requires the primary entities must unite their on the government’s shoulders, but all quality, especially against a backdrop patents. They argue that this would ability to think critically – the birth of all
ability of all three entities to spur the efforts to enhance science, technology, must support the leadership with their of industrial expansion and urban elevate Qatar’s intellectual status and innovations – and a shift away from rote
country’s technological advancements. engineering and mathematics (STEM) financial and creative efforts. construction. support its position as a knowledge- learning.
Water Security
F rum
Use Membrane Technologies
3
80%
Industrial manufacturing facilities
typically require fresh water at various
stages of operations. This includes
process water – water that cannot be
clarified as drinking water – and cooling
water, as well as water for landscaping.
On Fridays, 80% of the
For such applications, using high
quality potable (drinkable) water that
consumption of grey water in Qatar
comes from mosques and simple
Hosted at Qatar University’s Research Complex, April 2016
is produced by thermal desalination at treatment processes would make
36%
January 2016. The sprawl of urban areas levels. Such real-time transparency On Fridays, 80% of the consumption of
amid rapid population growth means the can be collated to create historical grey water in Qatar comes from mosques
country’s domestic water consumption is
soaring. A Smart Water Network provides
data points that help identify trends
and pinpoint areas of improvement,
and simple treatment processes would
make this water suitable for agriculture
47%
an intelligent and nationwide solution especially low hanging fruits – changes and landscaping. All the water from 11% 11%
to Qatar’s water security challenge by that can be made quickly and easily. mosques – including black water, which Academia Industry
monitoring and balancing today’s poorly is used in toilets – is currently funnelled
correlated supply-demand levels. Enhance Water into a common sewage system, which Which entity should
A Smart Water Network refers to a 5 Collection Systems renders the grey water unusable. 17% take the lead in
number of data-driven components, Improving the collection of Qatar’s Collecting data at mosques in busy coordinating Qatar’s
which enable the optimization of water grey water – used water without fecal industrial and commercial districts A Focus R&D investment on improving
water security
management and distribution. This contamination – could significantly to map out a preliminary cost-reward efficiencies of existing technologies
strategy to ensure
includes reducing leakages, fine tuning reduce the level of potable water being blueprint would ascertain how effective B Today’s technologies are not advanced
pricing and improving communities’ used in agriculture and landscaping. reworking Qatar’s water collection
the delivery of ‘fit
enough – invest in new solutions
water awareness. A Smart Meter Network Agriculture makes up around 60% of systems could be if applied across the
C Crossover technologies – adopt and
for purpose’ local
solutions for local
78%
consists of high resolution water the water consumption in Qatar, even board. n Government
adapt technologies across industries challenges?
26 Special Report Thegulfintelligence.com 27
Forum Attendees
• H.E. Essa bin Hilal Al-Kuwari, President, Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA)
• H.E. Ahmed Mohammed Al Sada, Assistant Undersecretary for Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Municipality &
Environment, Qatar
• Dr. Hassan Al Derham, President, Qatar University
• Dr. Mohamed Yousef Al Mulla, Vice Chairman & CEO, Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO)
• Abdul Rahman M. Nasralla, CEO for Ras Abu Fontas, Qatar Electricity & Water Company (QEWC)
• Dr. Adel Sharif, Research Director - Water Security, Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute (QEERI)
• Dr. Simon Judd, Maersk Oil Professorial Chair in Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University
• Sara Al-Said, Reservoir Engineer, Occidental Petroleum of Qatar Limited
• Dr. Ann Kenimer, Interim Dean, Texas A&M University at Qatar
• Dr. Mariam A. Al-Maadeed, Vice President for Research & Graduate Studies, Qatar University
• Pierre Montaud, Director, TOTAL Research Center - Qatar
• Youssif Saleh, Vice President, Qatar Shell Research & Technology Centre
• Stephen Kelly, President and General Manager, Occidental Petroleum of Qatar Limited
• Ghassan Barghouth, Vice President Middle East - Strategic Customers and Segments, Global Solutions, Schneider Electric
• Dr. Samer S. Adham, Director, ConocoPhillips’ Global Water Sustainability Centre (GWSC)
• Jassim Al-Khori, Technical Manager, Maersk Oil Research & Technology Center
• Dr. Mohamad Al-Sulaiti, Research Director, ExxonMobil Research Qatar
• Ahmed Al Jumaily, Senior Vice President HSE&S, Dolphin Energy
• Dr. Mohammed Jaber Al-Marri, Director of Gas Processing Center, Qatar University
• Katherine Wallgren, Leader Reservoir Management Team, Occidental Petroleum of Qatar Limited
• Dr. Abdullah Kadri, Senior R&D Expert, Qatar Mobility Innovations Center (QMIC)