Towards a sustainable 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar: Evaluation of wind energy potential for three football stadiums

Abstract

This study analyzes the feasibility of satisfying the demand of three Football Stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, using the wind’s kinetic energy. For all three selected locations (Lusail, Al Rayyan, and Al Wakrah), the wind potentiality is calculated through an environmental parameters study, from which the wind power density is obtained. Furthermore, a commercial wind turbine with proper characteristics is selected, and the same case study for each location is presented, to quantify the capacity that wind energy offers for satisfying the maximum energy demand of each associated stadium. In addition, the environmental benefits and the time required by each wind farm to satisfy the energy demand are computed. The results reveal that the conditions enable the use of wind energy for this purpose, based on a 5.06 m/s, 4.63 m/s, and 5.18 m/s velocity mean for Lusail, Al Rayyan, and Al Wakrah, respectively; from which values of 187.49 W/m2, 150.96 W/m2, and 187.29 W/m2 of wind power density are obtained. Also, the proposed wind farms could produce 69,952.56 MWh/year, 59,550.19 MWh/year, and 75,333.70 MWh/year, respectively. Moreover, the wind farms should produce energy for a period of 5.64 h, 4.41 h, and 5.23 h, to satisfy the maximum demand by a football match in its associated location. Additionally, to avoid the implementation of a storage system, the electricity obtained from the wind is connected to the power grid, decreasing the quota of fossil fuel power plants. In consequence, Qatar will eliminate the emissions of approximately 23.376 tons of CO2 in total per trio of matches held in these stadiums. Finally, a post 2022 FIFA World Cup scenario is analyzed, obtaining a positive outcome from both environmental and economic perspectives, in which an average of 14,675 tons of CO2 and 6.03 Million US$ can be saved annually.

The impacts of sport emissions on climate: Measurement, mitigation, and making a difference

“…Others use model simulations of pools 85 and sports halls 86 to evaluate energy efficiency gains from various scenarios of electromechanical and architectural retrofit (e.g., increased shading, insulation, and ventilation). Energy demands can be met by installing solar panels and/or wind turbines in stadiums 87 …”

“…Energy demands can be met by installing solar panels and/or wind turbines in stadiums. 87 Waste management strategies may be evaluated to minimize emissions too-but sustainability practices vary greatly between teams. 88 Auditing and modeling of waste scenarios for the University of Missouri football stadium in 2014 determined that elimination of edible food waste (especially beef) would reduce emissions by 103.1 tCO 2 e, and 100%-recycling by 25.4 tCO 2 e. 89 However, for a club to achieve carbon neutrality requires much more than waste management, a transport strategy, and improved energy efficiency (Table 2).…”

Towards achieving Platinum standards for Green Building certification: a case study using Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) design

“…It also should be noted that the comparison among JIS and other stadiums do not consider heating energy demand because JIS do not experience winter season as it is located in a tropical country. JIS' low energy consumption in a 24-hour event-day (10.86 MWh / day) is even lesser than Qatar's Lusail Stadium's in a single match (45 MWh / match) [32]. This JIS' low energy design is expected to reduce 2,300 of CO2-emission annually.…”

Performance and energy optimization of building automation and management systems: Towards smart sustainable carbon-neutral sports facilities

“…O.6. RES deployment: The study in [102] aimed to analyze football stadiums' energy-saving potentials using the wind's kinetic energy. By utilizing wind energy to satisfy the energy requirement for these stadiums, it was estimated that 23.376 tons of CO2 per match could be saved.…”