Qatar’s Wind Energy Potential with Associated Financial and Environmental Benefits for the Natural Gas Industry

Carlos Méndez and Yusuf Bicer
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Carlos Méndez: Division of Sustainable Development (DSD), College of Science and Engineering (CSE), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Education City, Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha 5825, Qatar
Yusuf Bicer: Division of Sustainable Development (DSD), College of Science and Engineering (CSE), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Education City, Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha 5825, Qatar

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 17, 1-19

Abstract: This study analyzes the possibility to use the wind’s kinetic energy to produce electricity in Northern Qatar for the natural gas processing industry. An evaluation of the wind potentiality is performed based on a thorough analysis of parameters such as wind speed and direction, temperature, atmospheric pressure, and air density. In addition, based on the measured parameters, a commercial wind turbine is selected, and a case study is presented in order to quantify the energy that a wind farm could produce and its environmental benefits. Furthermore, an economical assessment is made to quantify the repercussions that it could produce if this wind farm substitutes a fraction of the energy demand (within the oil and gas field) that is currently generated by traditional hydrocarbons. The results indicate that the environmental parameters, led by a 5.06 m/s wind speed mean, allow the production of wind energy in the area with an annual CO 2 savings of 6.813 tons in a 17 MW wind power plant. This enables Qatar to reduce its internal oil and gas consumption. As a result, the amount of hydrocarbon (natural gas) saved could be used for exportation purposes, generating a positive outcome for the economy with a cost savings of about 3.32 million US$ per year through such a small size wind power plant. From the energy production point of view, the natural parameters enable a single wind turbine to produce an average of 6995.26 MWh of electricity. Furthermore, the wind farm utilized in the case study is capable of generating an average of 34.976 MWh in a year.

Keywords: energy; Qatar; wind power density; wind turbine; natural gas (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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