Qatar focuses on green future

A research project, initiated at Qatar university (QU), is looking at the use of biofuels sourced from indigenous natural resources.

QU vice-president for research Dr Hassan al-Derham hopes that the project, led by Qatar Biofuel project manager Hareb al-Jabri, contributes toward attaining the Qatar National Vision 2030.

The project aims to produce clean and environmentally-friendly alternative energy from locally-available natural resources, specifically for use in Qatar's aviation industry.

In a bid to move away from the oil and gas sector, the researchers will produce biofuel from microalgae, organic chemical compounds like fat or carbohydrates from biomass that is then extracted and converted into biodiesel or bio-ethanol and converted to jet fuel.

Along with establishing a mini pilot plant inside QU's research farm to analyse microalgae growth under natural climatic conditions, Qatar University will build a research centre for microalgae.