Smart Grid
One of the challenges facing renewable power generation is to compensate for fluctuating energy generation. For example, the intermittent nature of solar and wind energy causes the generated power to fluctuate accordingly. Solar energy production is expected to be at its peak during the day and the summer months. Wind energy on the other hand is less predictable. Moreover, it is expected that solar power generation will expand progressively in Qatar to meet more of the country’s energy requirements.
The QNFSP is considering smart grid technologies. Smart grids have monitoring and control mechanisms which make them more efficient than the standard electricity grid. A smart grid is capable of integrating the behavior of energy production and demand in order to efficiently deliver sustainable and economic electricity supplies. The smart grid will facilitate the integration of solar and wind energy to optimize existing electricity generation. As a result, the smart grid will be able to compensate for energy needs during peak times from non-renewable sources, and enable other sectors in Qatar to benefit from excess energy originating from the renewable sources when there is a surplus.
