Khalifa University of Science and Technology, represented by Masdar Institute, the first Institute dedicated to researching advanced energy and sustainable technologies in the region, today announced that it will be hosting over 500 renewable energy researchers and industry experts in Abu Dhabi for the 2017 joint ISES Solar World Congress and IEA SHC International Conference on Solar Heating and Cooling for Buildings and Industry (SWC and SHC 2017).
The Masdar Institute-led conference also marks the first time the ISES SWC will be held together with the International Conference on Solar Heating and Cooling for Buildings and Industry (SHC 2017) conference – joined under the theme of ‘Innovation for the 100% Renewable Energy Transformation’. The Institute’s Research Center for Renewable Energy Mapping and Assessment (ReCREMA) will also present a regional solar forecasting model developed to predict solar resources up to 48 hours in advance, at hourly intervals. These forecasts are essential for monitoring the performance of the solar power plants, and for predicting the amount of electricity they will be able to provide to the electricity grid. Dr. Hosni Ghedira, Director, ReCREMA, is co-chair of the local organizing committee.
The joint event, which is also being hosted for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, will be held from 29 October to 2 November at the Jumeirah Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi. Representatives and experts from science, academia, government, industry, the financial sector, and non-governmental organizations from around the world will share the latest developments and breakthroughs in renewable energy technology. The congress will focus on various topics including solar heating, water-energy nexus, regional renewable energy programs and progress, as well as renewable energy education.
Dr. Steve Griffiths, Interim Executive Vice President for Research, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, and SWC and SHC 2017 International Organizing Committee Co-Chair, said: “Hosting SWC 2017 and SHC 2017 in Abu Dhabi reflects the importance of the region, and particularly the UAE, in global energy markets, and the regional growth potential for renewable energy, particularly solar power. The UAE has been at the forefront of low-cost utility-scale solar energy development in recent years, demonstrating the opportunity for affordable renewable energy in the region and globally. We believe this congress will raise awareness of the region’s R&D and technological advancements in renewable energy, and lay the foundation for further international collaboration with various stakeholders.”
Dr. David Renné, President, International Solar Energy Society, said: “This joint conference will address the key elements required for a worldwide sustainable energy transformation: technological innovation, financial opportunities, policy developments, and community and grassroots actions. With this comprehensive range of topics, I believe the joint conference will help catalyze a dialogue that enables diverse experts to share ideas and formulate actions to further support the transformation of our end use energy supply to renewable energy."
Ken Guthrie, Conference co-Chair and Chair of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Program, said: “This year’s conference in Abu Dhabi in the UAE recognizes the leadership of the joint conference host, Masdar Institute, in the journey from fossil fuels to renewables. With ISES and Masdar Institute, the IEA SHC Program has strong partners and SHC 2017 will once again serve as a platform to build understanding, collaboration and strong cooperation between research and industry. I believe SHC 2017 will definitely inspire the participants and help them learn first-hand about the developments in the Middle East.”
A total of 342 papers have been accepted for presentation at the event, of which 175 will be oral presentations and 167 will be posters. Abstracts were submitted by authors from 67 countries, with over 45% of submissions from European-based applicants, 20% from Asia, 9% Africa, and 8% from the Middle East.
Faculty and research staff from the Khalifa University of Science and Technology have submitted 10 research papers for presentation at the conference and around 100 students are expected to participate in the Young ISES Forum that will be held on the first day of the congress.
Notable solar energy experts are expected to address the four-day congress, which will offer an international platform for world leaders in the science, application and policy formulation of solar energy, energy efficiency and renewable energies. The congress will have plenary and keynote presentations from global renewable energy leaders, forums on cross-cutting themes, workshops and training events; exhibitions; and technical presentations by international researchers, in addition to networking opportunities.
The SWC and SHC 2017 comes to the UAE at a time when the solar energy sector is witnessing rapid and sustained growth. With the launch of the world’s largest 700MW concentrated solar power (CSP) plant, the UAE’s solar power capacity is expected to expand by an annual average of 55% between 2017 and 2026. Over this period, solar energy’s contribution to the country’s total generating capacity is expected to reach 7.9%, according to BMI Research, a leading provider of macroeconomic, industry and financial market analysis. This represents increasing optimism for the industry, as the number was revised upwards from a previous estimate of 5.9%.