Digitalization & Smart Grids: AI, IoT & Blockchain in Solar Asset Management

Dana Ibrahim is an Application Engineer at SMA Solar Technology Middle East, Turkey and Africa, supporting the deployment of commercial & industrial (C&I) solar, battery energy storage, and hybrid energy solutions across the region. With a strong academic background in Energy Engineering, NABCEP PV Associate certification, and professional experience spanning Jordan, Germany, and the UAE, she specializes in enabling the successful integration of solar, storage, and hybrid energy technologies through technical expertise and application-driven solutions.

Khaled Alazbe is a sustainability and renewable energy professional with a strong background in engineering, public policy, and clean-tech entrepreneurship. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering and a Master of Public Administration (Public Policy) from the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government. Khaled has contributed to national-level initiatives across the UAE and GCC, including energy and water efficiency policies for government entities, youth capacity-building programs, and cleantech awareness platforms. He has worked with public and private stakeholders on renewable energy, wastewater treatment, green hydrogen, and demand-side management projects. Khaled is the founder of RECAMP.AI, an innovative startup focused on replacing polluting portable generators used in outdoor activities with modular renewable energy solutions. He is also actively engaged in global youth climate and energy networks, advocating for inclusive green growth, youth leadership, and practical climate solutions.

Parag Bhamre is an experienced professional with a demonstrated history (10 years+) of working in the solar industry across Europe, Middle East and Asia. Skilled in business development, strategy and planning. He has undertaken several projects in the solar PV sector and storage domains. Entrepreneurial, analytical and strategic thinker having strong industry experience, he holds a MBA degree from HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management, Germany and a Computer Science engineering degree from Pune Institute of Computer Technology, India.

Shantanu Roy is the Sector Coordinator for Renewables and Energy Conservation at the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), a leading technology and policy think tank based in Bengaluru, India. With over 17 years of experience across renewable energy, thermal power, and oil & gas, he has led multidisciplinary teams and managed complex projects that drive sustainable energy solutions. At CSTEP, he advances initiatives in rooftop solar, Building-Integrated PV (BIPV), Agrivoltaics and other innovative renewable energy applications, working closely with government bodies and industry stakeholders to design strategies aligned with India's clean energy targets.

Talal Shaikh is an Associate Professor in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, with more than fifteen years of experience across research, teaching, academic leadership, and industry engagement. His work focuses on applied AI, robotics, IoT, edge computing, wireless sensing, digital twins, and intelligent automation. He is especially interested in how these technologies can transform solar asset management through predictive maintenance, fault detection, performance forecasting, energy optimisation, and robotic inspection. His research also explores device-free Wi-Fi sensing for localisation, activity recognition, and respiratory monitoring. He works at the intersection of research and real-world deployment, developing practical, scalable solutions for energy, infrastructure, smart buildings, aviation, and autonomous systems.

Payne Cong is a visionary business leader and operations strategist with over a decade of experience spearheading growth, innovation, and ecosystem development across tech, automotive, supply chain, and now cryptocurrency mining sectors. As Head of Business Development at Hash House-the pioneering manufacturer of high-efficiency Scrypt ASIC miners for Dogecoin and Litecoin-he drives strategic partnerships and market expansion, positioning the company as a global leader in sustainable crypto mining solutions. A prominent voice in the Dogecoin mining community, Mr. Cong collaborates with public company executives and industry influencers to foster long-term market adoption.Prior to Hash House, Mr. Cong propelled TikTok LIVE's North American ecosystem as Head of Business Development for Livestream, incubating the industry's premier managed creator program and forging the foundational agency partnerships that transformed livestream commerce. Earlier, at Postmates (Uber), Mr. Cong lead strategy & biz ops and was responsible for building out the growth roadmap for the US market and the overarching data infrastructure to support top executives. Starting in consulting at BCG, Mr. Cong specialized in market analysis, M&A, and growth. Since 2012, he has also founded multiple successful startups across education, sports, and media industries.