RAP Sessions

1-Renewable Energies Ahead: Navigating Regulations and Charting Future Paths

Moderator: Prof. Ahmed F. Zobaa, Brunel University of London

invited Speaker:

• • • • Eng. Yousra Assaker, The World Bank

      • Eng. Mohamed Osama, Benban Solar Developers Association

      • Eng. Samir Nacef, AMEA Power

With the global imperative to decarbonize accelerating, "Renewable Energies Ahead: Navigating Regulations and Charting Future Paths" serves as a critical navigational beacon for stakeholders navigating the intricate web of policies, market dynamics, and technological trajectories shaping the renewable energy sector. This session assembles regulatory experts, environmental advocates, energy economists, and futurists to provide a thorough dissection of the regulatory frameworks governing renewables, while projecting viable pathways for scalable adoption and innovation in a post-fossil fuel world. The discussion commences with a granular review of current regulatory landscapes across jurisdictions, from incentives like tax credits and feed-in tariffs that bolster solar and wind projects, to challenges posed by permitting delays, grid interconnection bottlenecks, and international trade agreements affecting supply chains for critical minerals. Attendees will examine landmark policies such as the European Union's Green Deal and the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, assessing their impacts on investment flows, technological diffusion, and emissions reductions. Emphasis will be placed on emerging trends like offshore wind farms, geothermal advancements, and bioenergy innovations, alongside the regulatory adaptations required to integrate them seamlessly into existing systems. Looking ahead, the session charts prospective paths through scenario planning and foresight exercises, considering variables such as geopolitical shifts, technological breakthroughs in hydrogen production and carbon capture, and the role of international accords like the Paris Agreement in harmonizing global efforts. Socio-environmental considerations are woven throughout, addressing issues like land use conflicts in large-scale solar deployments, biodiversity impacts of hydropower, and the just transition for communities dependent on traditional energy sources. Interactive elements, including policy simulations and stakeholder roundtables, will enable participants to co-create recommendations for agile regulations that foster innovation without compromising safety or equity. By bridging the gap between present constraints and future aspirations, "Renewable Energies Ahead" equips leaders with the strategic acumen to advocate for progressive policies, mitigate risks, and capitalize on opportunities in the renewable revolution. This forward-thinking dialogue not only demystifies the regulatory maze but also inspires collective action toward a resilient, equitable, and renewable-powered global energy paradigm.

This RAP session brings together high-level stakeholders for a dynamic discussion on the evolving policy landscape, regulatory challenges, and future pathways for clean energy growth. Panelists include representatives from the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, the World Bank, the Benban Solar Developers Association, and AMEA Power. Together, they will explore key questions around licensing, financing, public-private cooperation, and regional integration. With a fast-paced and interactive format, the session aims to provide practical insights and highlight opportunities for reform and innovation. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how regulatory alignment, institutional support, and strategic collaboration can drive Egypt’s renewable energy ambitions forward. This session is ideal for policymakers, developers, investors, and researchers interested in the intersection of energy policy and project execution. 

2- Powering Through: Tackling Grid Hurdles with Cutting-Edge Tech

Moderator: Dr. Omar Abdelraheem, Aswan University

• • • Eng. Sabah Mashaly, Deputy Minister for Electricity & Renewable Energy, Egypt

    • Prof. Ahmed F. Zobaa, Brunel University of London, UK

    • Prof. Osama Mohamed,  Florida International University Miami, Florida, USA

    • Eng. Mohamed Osama, Benban Solar Developers Association

    • Eng. Ahmed Amin, AMEA Power

As the backbone of modern civilization, electrical grids face unprecedented strains from fluctuating renewable inputs, aging infrastructure, and rising demand driven by electrification trends in transportation and industry. "Powering Through: Tackling Grid Hurdles with Cutting-Edge Tech" offers an in-depth exploration into the multifaceted challenges plaguing contemporary power systems and the innovative technological interventions poised to surmount them. This session brings together grid operators, engineers, policymakers, and tech innovators to unpack the complexities of grid modernization, emphasizing resilience, efficiency, and adaptability in an increasingly volatile energy environment. Central to the discourse is a comprehensive analysis of key hurdles, including intermittency from solar and wind sources, cybersecurity threats to smart grid components, and the physical degradation of transmission lines exacerbated by extreme weather events. Participants will delve into state-of-the-art solutions such as advanced sensor networks enabled by the Internet of Things (IoT) for real-time monitoring, predictive analytics powered by machine learning to anticipate outages, and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems that minimize energy losses over long distances. Case studies will showcase successful implementations, like the deployment of digital twins—virtual replicas of physical grids—for simulation and optimization, and the use of energy storage systems (ESS) such as flow batteries and compressed air energy storage to balance supply and demand. The session extends its scope to the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs), including rooftop solar, electric vehicles as mobile storage units, and demand-response programs that incentivize consumer participation in grid stability. Ethical and economic dimensions will be scrutinized, from the cost-benefit analyses of retrofitting legacy infrastructure to the imperative of inclusive policies that prevent energy poverty amid technological transitions. Through panel discussions and breakout workshops, attendees will collaborate on forward-looking strategies, such as smart grid infrastructure, digital twins, AI-driven optimization, advanced storage, and real-time monitoring systems that boost reliability and resilience. By showcasing practical solutions and forward-looking concepts, this session highlights how innovation can strengthen our grids and ensure they remain robust, adaptive, and ready to power the future.

This RAP session brings together high-level stakeholders where panelists include representatives from government (NREA), Academia (Florida International University Miami, Florida, USA, Brunel University of London, UK, AAST, Egypt), private sector (Benban Solar Developers Association, and AMEA Power).

3- Innovation Ignition: Startups and R&D Revolutionizing Energy

Moderator: Dr. Mohamed Taha, Cairo University

Invited Speakers:

o   Dr. Ashraf Lotfi, Deep Science Ventures, UK

o   Dr. Yasser Nour, Lotus Microsystems, Denmark

o   Dr. Amr El-Awamry, Sanabel, Egypt

In an era defined by escalating climate challenges and the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions, "Innovation Ignition: Startups and R&D Revolutionizing Energy" emerges as a pivotal session at the forefront of transformative discourse. This dynamic forum convenes visionary entrepreneurs, cutting-edge researchers, and industry pioneers to explore how startups and research and development (R&D) initiatives are catalyzing a paradigm shift in the global energy landscape. Delving deep into the mechanics of innovation, participants will dissect the lifecycle of groundbreaking technologies—from ideation and prototyping to commercialization and scalable deployment—highlighting real-world case studies of disruptive ventures that are redefining energy production, storage, and consumption. At the heart of the session lies an examination of emerging technologies such as advanced battery chemistries, artificial intelligence-driven optimization algorithms, and novel materials for solar photovoltaics and wind turbines. Speakers will illuminate the symbiotic relationship between agile startups and robust R&D frameworks, illustrating how venture capital infusions, government grants, and academic collaborations accelerate the transition from laboratory breakthroughs to market-ready applications. For instance, discussions will cover the rise of perovskite solar cells, which promise higher efficiency and lower costs than traditional silicon-based panels, and the integration of blockchain for decentralized energy trading platforms that empower prosumers in microgrids. Beyond technological advancements, the session addresses the socioeconomic implications of this revolution, including job creation in green tech sectors, equitable access to clean energy in underserved regions, and the ethical considerations of intellectual property in collaborative R&D ecosystems. Attendees will engage in interactive debates on overcoming barriers like regulatory hurdles, supply chain vulnerabilities, and talent shortages, while forecasting future trends such as the convergence of quantum computing with energy modeling for unprecedented predictive accuracy. By fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue, "Innovation Ignition" not only ignites inspiration but also equips stakeholders with actionable strategies to propel the energy sector toward a resilient, low-carbon future, ensuring that innovation serves as the spark for global sustainability.

This RAP session brings together high-level stakeholders where panelists include representatives from Academia, experts with venture capitals, and leaders of start-up technologies.