The purpose of this paper is to review the existing literature to draw an understanding of the relationship\ud between indoor environmental quality and occupant productivity in an office environment. The study\ud reviews over 300 papers from 67 journals, conference articles and books focusing on indoor environment,\ud occupant comfort, productivity and green buildings. It limits its focus to the physical aspects of an\ud office environment. The literature outlines eight Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) factors that influence\ud occupant productivity in an office environment. It also discusses different physical parameters\ud under each of the IEQ factors. It proposes a conceptual model of different factors affecting occupant\ud productivity. The study also presents a review of the data collection methods utilised by the research\ud studies that aim to investigate the relationship between IEQ and occupant productivity. The study\ud presents a comprehensive discussion and analysis of different IEQ factors that affect occupant productivity.\ud The paper provides a concise starting point for future researchers interested in the area of indoor\ud environmental quality

The interactions between water, energy, and food in terms of economic and environmental outcomes under conditions of a changing climate are something that all countries will need to understand if they intend to effectively manage the consequences. Qatar’s measures to increase food security and diversification of the energy system and economy can provide valuable insights to other countries with similar climates but who have a lower capacity to respond. Through Qatari-based organisations, best practice reflecting local characteristics can be shared throughout the region and beyond.The aim of this paper is to arrive at projections of CO2 emissions in new cities in Qatar by 2020 using GSAS standards under a number of scenarios coupled with specific interventions that help them meet national and regional targets. The estimated CO2 equivalent savings were calculated using GSAS energy calculator and based on the total area of the registered project and anticipated projects provided by different entities applying GSAS in Qatar. The projected annual savings of CO2 emissions due to energy use reduction can be realised by 2020 when projects planned or under construction are completed. The projected CO2 emission reduction is reported and compared with the international standards

Standard photovoltaic solar cells (PV cells) use only about half of the light spectrum provided by the sun. The infrared part is not utilized to produce electricity. Instead, the infrared light heats up the PV cells and thereby decreases the efficiency of the cell. Within this research project, a hybrid solar cell made of a standard PV cell and a thermally driven thermoelectric generator (TEG) is being developed. The light of the sun splits at about 800 nm. The visible and ultraviolet part is transferred to the PV cell; the infrared part illuminates the thermal TEG cell. With the hybrid solar cell, the full solar spectrum is exploited. In this paper, theoretical and experimental results for improving the performance of thermoelectric elements coupled with photovoltaic modules have been presented. The proposed concepts and the experimental results have provided a key input to develop a large scale of a hybrid PV-TE system.

Background Aluminium dross is a valuable resource that is often redirected to landfill as there are no real viable solutions for the utilisation of this industrial waste. A study has been conducted to provide a recycling process where the dross is reacted with an alkaline solution in order to generate hydrogen with bayerite and gibbsite products. Methods Samples of aluminium dross were obtained from two sources: aluminium dross obtained from an aluminium recycling facility, recycled dross (RD) in Qatar and aluminous dross samples which were to be directed to landfill, landfill dross (LD), also in Qatar. Quantities of each sample were weighed in amounts that would contain equal amounts of aluminium reacting with an aqueous NaOH solution to generate hydrogen. The generated hydrogen has been analysed and compared with that reported in the literature. Results Certainly, the lower purity sample LD was treated at a lower standard than the recycled dross. The LD and RD samples generated 0.15 and 0.5 g/l Al, respectively, with the landfilled dross achieving a maximum flow rate of 0.8 l/min compared to an RD which generated hydrogen at 2 l/min. The results proved that both forms of aluminium dross possess the potential to provide an acceptable volume of hydrogen at relatively consistent flow rates. The RD sample provided higher flow rates, and the LD sample generated hydrogen at a lower but consistent flow rate for a longer period and at a volume rather close to that of the RD sample. XRD analysis of the resulting product also yielded promising results with the formation of bayerite and gibbsite, which would provide additional side products of market value; if this process will be conducted on a larger scale. Conclusions This study has shown very promising results, with both dross samples allowing for an acceptable production of hydrogen. It has shown that the utilisation of dross can be a potentially economically viable process for a product that provides clean, renewable energy and residual aluminous products of a real market value.