KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Prof. Ghalib Kahwaji:  

“UAE energy transition towards smart energy systems”

Dr. Ghalib holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University (CSU) and M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Mosul, Iraq. Dr. Kahwaji joined RIT-Dubai as a professor of thermo-fluids, air conditioning and renewable energy systems. Prior to joining RIT, he spent five years in industry and engineering consulting as the head of MEP design department and engineering manager at Al-Gurg Consultants- Dubai, and TRANSCO- Abu Dhabi where his work involves large scale water transmission systems, energy systems for high rise and industrial buildings in the UAE. He also led in the design of many green buildings in Dubai.

Prof. Nikos Hatziargyriou:

“AI technical applications in power grids”.

Nikos Hatziargyriou is since 1984 with the Electrical and Computer Engineering School, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Professor in Power Systems since 1995, and Professor Emeritus since 2022. He is also part-time Professor at the University of Vaasa, Finland. He is visiting professor at Tsinghua and Hefei Universities. He has many years of industrial experience as Chairman and CEO of the Hellenic Distribution Network Operator and as Executive Vice-Chair and Deputy CEO of the Public Power Corporation. He has authored more than 350 journal publications and 600 conference proceedings papers. He is included in Thomson Reuters and Web of Science lists of top 1% most cited researchers and in global lists of top 2% Scientists by Stanford University

Dr. Venizelos Efthymiou :

“Functional energy communities are key for a meaningful energy transition”

Dr Venizelos Efthymiou worked for the Electricity Authority of Cyprus from March 1979 up to November 2013 and he left the Company from the post of Executive Manager Networks / Distribution System Operator of Cyprus.

He is a member of the Steering Committee of the ETIP SNET, of ETIP PV and of the DSO committee of EURELECTRIC, of the Steering Committee of the SET Plan. Representative of PHAETHON CoE in the associations DERlab, EERA AISBL, EDDIE and EERA JP4SG as Management Board member.