QEERI Continues Being Driving Force For Energy Security Research Supported By World-Leading Scientists
Doha, Qatar, 28 April 2015
Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), a research and development entity under Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), has signed a strategic agreement with the École Polytechnique Fédérale De Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland.
The agreement will allow QEERI scientists to work closely with other world-leading scientists in addressing key research issues related to Qatar's Energy Security Grand Challenge. EPFL is a leading Swiss university specialising in engineering and technology.
Commenting about the collaboration, Mohammad Khaleel, Executive Director of QEERI, said: "We are thrilled about this strategic collaboration with EPFL as it will enable the exchange of visitors and training for QEERI staff members regarding advanced tools and equipment. The agreement will also provide QEERI access to state-of-the-art laboratories until our own facilities are completed."
As a key research and development entity of Qatar Foundation, QEERI supports the mission of QF to build Qatar's innovation and research capacity and address critical national priorities concerning energy. It does this by establishing the necessary facilities towards sustainable development and management of energy and natural resources that benefit Qatar and the rest of the world. The collaboration with EPFL in coordinating research efforts is a vital element of its work.
QEERI and EPFL's joint research activities will specifically focus on development, fabrication and testing for Photovoltaics solar cell traditional and innovative materials.. Research collaboration also includes development of models and tools that will enable the integration of solar power into the grid, along with a study of how people's practices and demand on buildings' energy affect the grid.
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About Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI)
Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) is a research and development entity under Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. Aligned with the Qatar National Vision 2030's strategy of transforming the State into a diverse and sustainable knowledge-based economy, QEERI plays a leading role addressing the national Energy and Water Security Grand Challenges through Research and Development (R&D). QEERI's water R&D programme is developing innovative technologies in water desalination and treatment; water quality and reuse; aquifer recharge; and Climate Change and Atmospheric Science. QEERI's energy R&D focuses on Solar Photovoltaics (PV), Energy Storage and Smart Grids.
About École Polytechnique Fédérale De Lausanne (EPFL)
EPFL is among the leading universities of science and technology in continental Europe, and among the top rising universities worldwide. With broad expertise in fields including computer science, life science, basic sciences, and environmental engineering. Dye-sensitized (Graetzel) solar cells, thin-film solar cells, and innovative technologies for energy storage are some clean energy solutions that have emerged from EPFL. The university also has a strong culture of innovation and technology transfer. The EPFL Innovation Park includes 154 established and startup companies (or 1700 high-value R&D jobs), and in 2014 alone, EPFL spun out 24 startup companies and rose over 240 M$ in venture capital. EPFL also has a dense industrial and academic network in the Middle East, with a center for graduate research in the Emirates, collaborations with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, and since recently, with Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute.
© Press Release 2015
