Abstract
The chapter focuses on the impact of solar energy adoption on natural gas (NG) trade and CO2 emissions in Qatar. First, we forecast electricity production to estimate the NG needed for power generation in Qatar through the next 11 years. The ensuing NG estimates are then used with national targets of solar PV adoption to evaluate NG savings 11 years forward. We conclude with an analysis of how these NG savings could spawn additional NG trade, and estimate the resulting CO2 emission reductions in Qatar and the NG-importing countries. According to our projections, Qatar’s top PV penetration targets by 2024/2030 would yield an NG surplus of 2.13 Mtoe, and CO2 emissions reductions of 8.3 Mt in Qatar and 3.8-1.7 Mt in the importing countries.
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Notes
- 1.
Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation.
- 2.
1 Mtoe = 1.204 Billion cubic meters (Bcm).
- 3.
We used data from US plants since we do not have access to the data for Qatar gas-fired power plants. As pointed out by one reviewer, factors such as high temperatures and humidity in Qatar may impact the efficiency of gas-fired power plants somewhat differently as compared to plants in the USA.
- 4.
At the time this study was carried out, 2014 data for electricity production in Qatar were not available in the IEA database (IEA Data Services N.d.) and are treated as missing values by the forecasting algorithm.
- 5.
See KAHRAMAA’s tariffs at www.km.com.qa/CustomerService/Pages/Tariff.aspx.
- 6.
Feed-in tariffs are an obligation on utilities to pay eligible renewable energy generators a cost-based price for the renewable electricity they supply to the grid.
- 7.
Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid.
- 8.
We are indebted to AbdulAziz Ahmad Al-Mahmoud, Manager Electricity System Control, KAHRAMAA, for this suggestion.
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Acknowledgements
The study described in this chapter was developed within the context of the Energy Security Grand Challenge research programme at the Qatar Environment and Energy Research institute, Doha, Qatar. We would like to thank Leo Lester, Samantha Gross, Anne-Sophie Corbeau, Mohammed Al-Enezi, and Tim Boersma for valuable feedback and suggestions.
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Sanfilippo, A.P., Pederson, L.R. (2016). Impacts of PV Adoption in Qatar on Natural Gas Exports to Northeast Asia and Ensuing Environmental Benefits. In: Lester, L. (eds) Energy Relations and Policy Making in Asia. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1094-1_8
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