Solar & Clean Energy Forum

• The energy transition requires huge investment. Where in the energy system is investment required, what investment is required and why is this important?
• How do governments and industry work together to overcome supply chain constraints and promote and ensure the energy transition is smooth, affordable and enables security?
• How do governments ensure net zero energy is cost competitive for the consumer?
• What is the continued role of gas, and how will nuclear change approaches to the energy transition
• How do governments and industry invest in the raw materials required, but ensure that their use is not done at the expense of local ecosystems?

Confirmed speakers:

• National grids must be able to handle different forms of energy - mixing traditional, renewables and nuclear.
• What investment and capital spending is required to ensure energy grids are fit for purpose?
• According to research, the three main barriers to grid projects are permits and approvals lead times, disrupted global supply chains, and a skills shortage. How can these be successfully tackled? 

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• An outline of what a smart grid is, and what benefits it can bring
• What a smart grid offers both consumers and energy suppliers

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• What energy initiatives and adaptations from COP27 will shape discussions for COP28?
• What will COP28 mean for UAE energy plans?
• How will the private and public sector embrace ambitions that meet targets set during COP and help nations towards their net zero goals?

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• In current financial conditions, can we still marry the energy trilemma of cost, security and sustainability, or will one leg have to give?
• How does the industry balance each part of the trilemma, how and what benefits does this bring both the energy sector and consumers?

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• How can governments help accelerate their plans for net zero - or at least lower carbon - energy systems? What will the tipping points be?
• Governments have put in place net zero targets - can they be met with current clean energy build and commissioning rates? Is the region building the required energy infrastructure at a rate fast enough to meet net zero targets?
• How will plans for renewables and battery storage be managed in combination with plans for nuclear and gas to meet net zero ambitions? 

Confirmed speakers:

• Providing flexibility for future energy systems, this panel looks at what long duration energy storage is and why it is becoming increasingly important
• The discussion will provide examples of current use and market growth predictions, and look at the benefits and challenges faced
• It will also discuss approaches to building a strong finance model for storage + renewables projects

Confirmed speakers:

• The main energy consumer on the grid is cooling systems.
• This presentation outlines the role of district cooling, where its use can be increased, and the energy and water efficiency measures it must take to also decarbonise

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• The role of CCS in mitigating climate change
• Project pipeline and demand drivers for CCS
• Regional overviews – projects and policies
• Working together to scale CCS globally

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• What infrastructure needs to be in place to enable the hydrogen economy within a country, and how will it be paid for?
• Is there greater risk in making large investments in hydrogen? Will market competition for exporters be far greater than oil, putting pressure on process to remain competitive?
• This presentation will focus on upcoming investments in hydrogen infrastructure

Presented by:

• The pros and cons of different hydrogen types
• Should there also be significant focus on other hydrogen colours – why do so many organisations and government talk mainly about green?
• Examples of planned green hydrogen use

Confirmed speakers:

Presented by:

• Is the future global hydrogen market/economy reality or hype?
• What must GCC countries do to ensure they are at the forefront of the hydrogen market – one that many nations are eyeing - and can export efficiently?
• Will industry customers pay a premium for the low-carbon products manufactured using hydrogen? With examples of hydrogen use in industry to create new product lines

Confirmed speakers:

• Each presentation will focus on a different aspect of the digitalisation underway, looking at the benefits it can bring, how it is changing thinking and the new ideas promoted due to advances in technology.

10.30 | Blockchain energy securitisation and micro grid financing

10.45 | Cloud-based apps for design and modelling

11.00 | Digital twin for wind turbine management

• Fusion has long been considered as a future, long-term clean energy source, but still requires much research
• To date, a viable, scalable, commercial way to harness the energy produced from fusion has not been achieved, however the technology is advancing.
• Investment in fusion technology research is accelerating - almost $3bn according to industry figures, mainly from the private sector
• This presentation outlines the fusion journey - where it has reached, the ongoing research and when we may see the technology come to fruition

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• This presentation outlines efforts to provide more clean energy in China

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• Talk to companies and they will say there is a lack of data transparency in the region; without which it is difficult to benchmark and monitor efficiency progress
• The lack of transparency is not restricted to just the energy industry, so how does the region foster greater openness of data and trust? 
• What benefits will this bring; and what challenges must be overcome for it to happen?
  
  

Confirmed speakers:

• This case study will focus on the emirate’s plans to reduce its carbon emissions through sustainable energy initiatives
• It will outline achievements to date and future plans.

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• As the trend towards green hydrogen gathers pace, what role will photovoltaics, electrolysers, and other tehcnologies play in accelerating the market?
• Can systems scale quickly enough to meet demand?
• What R&D is underway to introduce new innovations into this market segment?

Confirmed speakers:

• What is the role of the circular economy in energy?
• What rules & regulations are required - and what role does government play in developing these?
• How will this help the industry, economies and the environment? Who are the key stakeholders?

14.40 | Presentation:

14.50 | Panel:

Presented by:

• Operational since December 2020 on Saudi Aramco’s premises in Qurayyah, its solar thermal plant has been developed as an industrial pilot to show the potential of energy and CO2 savings offered by TVP Solar technology.
• This case study outlines why Saudi Aramco commissioned the pilot, the associated benefits and results to date.

Presented by:

• With tight budgets, it is important that energy companies get maximum ‘bang for the buck’ from their solar plants
• How do they ensure that they attain the best possible performance?
• How do manufacturers of related products, such as modules and panels, ensure they meet those performance aims?

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