Power and Energy Forum IEEE Power Talks opens

6 June 2022

BUSINESS REPORTER

The IEEE Power Talks Conference, jointly organised by Raya Services, Al Nimr Expo and IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES), opened its three-day forum and exhibition at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre on Monday, June 6, 2022. The technical event, which runs until June 8, was inaugurated by Dr Ali bin Amer al Shidhani, Under-Secretary of Communications and IT at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.

IEEE Power Talks centres on increasing technological efficiencies in the Sultanate of Oman’s power and energy sector whilst tackling rising challenges related to production capacity and the unreliability of power systems. It features a two-day technical forum, a one-day workshop and an exhibit area showcasing innovations and technologies by local and global power contractors and product manufacturers from the power and energy industry.

The conference sessions which are centred on fundamental topics such as the country’s energy market outlook, renewables and energy storage solutions, the future of power grids, energy management and efficiency, asset management and optimization alongside case studies and panel discussions, will be presented by industry experts Dr Amer al Hinai, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, SQU; Eng Abdulaziz S al Shidhani, Director General, Renewable Energy and Hydrogen–Ministry of Energy & Minerals; Yaqoob bin Saif al Kiyumi, CEO, Oman Power & Water Procurement Company; Dr Salim al Huthaili, CEO, Solar Wadi; Eng Yahya al Rawahi, CEO, Shams Ad-Dhahirah; Eng Faiza al Harthi, energy sector head, Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit (OVIFU); Dr Ralf Blumenthal, SVP and Head, Grid Software Middle East – Siemens; Dr Fahd Hashiesh, global director, Renewable Energy Center of Excellence – Air Products; Dr Adil al Busaidi, Power Infrastructure Team Leader, Daleel Petroleum; and Nader Abou Dagga, MENAT Digital Services Leader, GE.

Workshops subjects are “Getting Ready for Renewable DER and Microgrids on Electric Power Systems,” “Building a Hydrogen Economy,” and “The Race towards Net-Zero: De-carbonization through Energy Efficiency,” hosted by Siemens.

The event’s Technical Committee, represented by prominent officials from Nama Group, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), OQ, Majan Electricity Company, Tanweer, Muscat Electricity Distribution Company and Al Shawamikh Oil Services, will provide direction that offers a meaningful platform and an opportunity for discourse, exchange of ideas, and building collaboration amid a swiftly evolving energy landscape.

The conference expects to receive about 350 delegates and close to 6,000 visitors represented by engineers, consultants, technology providers and power and energy professionals.

Ahmed Sayed, conference director, IEEE Power Talks and representing Raya Services, remarks, “We are glad to partner with an industry leader like IEEE PES and established trade organizer Al Nimr Expo to produce and deliver this highly technical forum, which is a progressive step towards the sultanate’s initiatives and goals of digital transformation and sustainability across sectors. This is a proper venue to get firsthand insights, plans and developments in the power and energy industry and an opportunity to collaborate to help advance this segment of the power and energy industry.”

Proof of the event’s significance to the industry is the support by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and Oman Society of Engineers. Reputable companies such as Nama Group, Siemens, Solar Wadi, Safe Line and Fortescue Future Industries comprise the sponsor lineup.