Panel: Talent Development: Transitioning Human Capital from Oil & Gas to Renewables

Monday, April 07, 2025

Time
05:00 pm - 06:00 pm
Hall
Dubai World Trade Centre
Room
Conference Area

Do we have enough workforce to meet the solar / renewable ambition? Is the workforce trained enough to meet quality requirements? What kind of support does the sector expect from national and international institutions? How can we manage a proper transitioning of human capital from oil & gas to renewables?

05:00 pm - 06:00 pmPanel: Talent Development: Transitioning Human Capital from Oil & Gas to Renewables

Maria Flouda

Founder and Managing Consultant

Sustainability Switch Consultancy

Neeraj Mense

Principal Consultant

Frost & Sullivan

Lewis Cheeseman

Operations Director

NES Fircroft

Simay Akar-Köhler

IEEE, Senior Member, CEO & Founder

AK Energy Consulting

Speakers
Speaker
Neeraj Mense, Frost & Sullivan

Principal Consultant

UAE

Over 11 years of professional experience in research and consulting, business strategy, technology assessment and benchmarking. Expertise in executing projects across GCC, South Africa, East & West Africa, European Union and India. Particular expertise in: -Localization & investment promotion -Go to market strategy, geographic expansion and partner prospecting -Market sizing, forecasting and opportunity assessment -Business intelligence and planning -Regulatory policy, electricity tariffs, utility business models and due diligence Experience base covering broad range of sectors, including: -Energy efficiency and management across industrial, residential & commercial consumers -Energy & Power Systems - conventional and renewable generation -Distributed Generation and Energy Storage -Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration -Subject Matter Expertise in power utilities, energy systems and energy value chain -In-depth understanding of energy & power system technologies from a supply and end user perspective -Ability to develop and define framework and methodologies for market and business opportunity assessment - especially for products, technologies and services linked to energy production and consumption -Comprehensive communication skills with logical and solution driven approach -Assisted a leading Saudi ministry is developing an investment strategy for localization of machinery & equipment products & value chain components -Delivered on a key technology and market opportunity assessment project for a leading Saudi government organisation in the distributed energy segment -Successfully assisted government entities, global OEMs and family business groups in the GCC on market expansion and technology localization opportunities -Conferred with Frost & Sullivan's 'President's Club' award for outstanding performance in 2021

Speaker
Lewis Cheeseman, NES Fircroft

Operations Director

UAE

Lewis is the Operations Director at NES Fircroft, the largest Engineering & Technical Manpower Solutions business in the world.

Speaker
Maria Flouda, Sustainability Switch Consultancy

Founder and Managing Consultant

UAE

Maria is an unwavering advocate for sustainability, harnessing her 22 years expertise in ESG frameworks to spearhead transformative change within industries like construction, real estate ,energy and the investment and services sectors. With an unwavering commitment to guiding cross-sector corporate clients and SMEs towards achieving net zero and ensuring social sustainability compliance, Maria is a driving force in the journey towards a greener future. As the visionary founder of "Sustainability Switch Consultancy," she has solidified her position as a leading woman solopreneur, empowering organizations to align their sustainability agenda with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Beyond her consultancy work, Maria actively contributes to the non-profit organization "Lean In Equity and Sustainability" as Board Co-Chair and Sustainability Chair, empowering women in the energy transition and advocating for a more inclusive industry. Maria's impressive academic background complements her extensive professional experience, as she holds both a UK Master's and Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and has acquired sustainability expertise from Cambridge University (CISL). Her 22-year international journey in corporate strategy and project operations includes the successful implementation of numerous large-scale projects and government initiatives, solidifying her reputation as a seasoned leader in her field. Recognized as an authority in the realm of sustainability, Maria is highly sought after as a keynote speaker at renowned conferences focusing on sustainability, ESG, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her captivating presence and deep knowledge inspire audiences while providing practical insights into tackling climate change challenges. Maria also conducts executive-level workshops, delving into various climate change subjects, empowering participants to take action and drive meaningful impact. Leveraging her wealth of expertise, she has published numerous articles that serve as beacons of knowledge, inspiring and educating others on the path to a sustainable future. As a thought leader, innovator, and influencer, Maria's contributions to cross sector industry decarbonization are paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future. Her unwavering dedication, combined with her remarkable ability to connect with diverse audiences, makes her an indispensable voice in shaping the energy transition discourse.

Speaker
Simay Akar-Köhler, AK Energy Consulting

IEEE, Senior Member, CEO & Founder

Turkey

Simay Akar is an entrepreneur with reputable corporate industrial background and experience in the energy industry. She specialized in photovoltaic manufacturing, battery storage for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies and the clean energy market development. ​Akar is currently the Chief Commercial Officer & Co-Founder at Innoses. Her past roles include Sales & Marketing Director of EkoRE - Eko Renewable Energy and Marketing & Business Development Director of GoodWe Turkey, Head of Overseas Marketing at Talesun Solar Akar has worked in China and Turkey and mostly focused on international commercial activities and has been employed by CSUN Eurasia, Schneider Electric, Arcelik (BEKO), and Lucida Solar. In addition to her professional acclimates, she is an IEEE Senior member, acknowledged volunteer since 2007. Simay is a graduate of Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey and she participated Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies Program at Stanford University. ​ Simay is Certified Soft Skills Trainer since 2008. Additionally, She is METU Alumni Association Energy Commission Member, Turkish Women in Renewables North America Liaison & Sailing Team Member, KYSKD(Female Sailors Sports Club Association) member. She is Licensed Sailor Athlete at the Turkish Sailing Federation and also Swimmer. She participates open seas swimming races, marathons, and sailing cups across the world. ​ IEEE has important role in her life. She is also IEEE VOLT Graduate, IEEE Educational Activities TISP Champion, She has been serving several volunteer membership and leadership positions in different areas including mainly global committees of IEEE Humanitarian Technology Activities ( IEEE SIGHT -Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Technology and HAC), IEEE Power& Energy Society (Women in Power, Young Professionals, Solar and Wind Committee), IEEE Women in Engineering, IEEE Young Professionals, IEEE Social Implications of Technology Society (SSIT), IEEE Student Activities, IEEE Entrepreneurship Committee and other positions on Regional Boards of IEEE Region 8 (Europe Middle East and Africa) &10 (Asia Pacific). ​

Further Content
Speaker
Dr. Puzant Baliozian, VDMA - Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association

Lead Consultant of Sector Group Photovoltaic Equipment

Germany

Dr. Puzant Baliozian is the VDMA PV Equipment Group's project manager since September of this year. He is involved in techno-economic studies for manufacturing capacity of PV along the value chain and represents the interests of European PV equipment manufacturers internationally. The PV Sector Group at VDMA also publishes the yearly international technology roadmap for photovoltaics (ITRPV) showing highly relevant technology projections and trends. Dr. Baliozian studied physics at the American University of Beirut (BSc., 2014) and has a specialization in renewable energy (MSc. 2016) from the university of Freiburg. From 2016 until recently, he worked at Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Freiburg in the field of photovoltaic production technologies where he also did his PhD. He is best known for developing the passivated edge technology for separated industrial solar cell concepts, to boost cell and module efficiencies.

Speaker
Dr. Nabih Cherradi, Desert Technologies

Chief Technology Officer

Saudi Arabia

Dr. Nabih Cherradi is Desert Technologies' Chief Technology Officer. Has spent over 34 years building on a long track record of equipment's/production lines as well as business development in the semiconductor and photovoltaic industries. Prior to joining Desert Technologies, Nabih is also the CEO of EmpowerSun, a Swiss based photovoltaic energy consultancy, which he founded in 2009. In the meantime, he also co-founded ISWT a French solar developer company. From 2007-2009, as a Vice President/CTO, he accompanied Yingli Green Energy in its fast expansion with responsibility for the technology and manufacturing. He also participated in its IPO in New York (NYSE). As operations & process director at Applied Materials from 1997 to 2007 Nabih was responsible for installing turn-key semiconductor and photovoltaic production lines throughout the world, installing multiple GWs of production capacity across a ten year period. As a scientist, he focused on advance materials for different applications working with different industries (Semiconductor, Photovoltaic and Hard tools) He holds a PhD on materials sciences from the University Henri Poincaré, Nancy as well as an MBA, from the Business School of Nancy, (France).

Speaker
Dr. Mauro Pravettoni, Technology Innovation Institute

Senior Director Renewable Energy - Systems

UAE

Dr Mauro Pravettoni is Sr Director at the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Research Center of TII, a national research institute in Abu Dhabi. He got his PhD at the Imperial College. He is member for UAE of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC TC82), where in the past he also represented Switzerland and Singapore. He is member of the British Society for the Philosophy of Science, Technical Assessor for NATA, the Australian National Agency of Testing Authorities and Referee for EMPIR, the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research. From 2017 to 2023 he was Director of PV Modules at SERIS, Singapore's national research institute for solar energy. Since 2018 he is member of the International Scientific Committee of SNEC, in Shanghai, one of the world largest solar exhibitions. He wrote a number of peer-reviewed papers, books, and conference proceedings, with over 1000 citations. In 2008 he co-developed the world record efficiency luminescent solar concentrator.

Session
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Wednesday, April 09, 2025, 01:45 pm - 03:15 pm

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Hydrogen technology and supply have been gaining strategic importance globally. In a context of climate change, supply chain crisis and war, the yet young technology has been put on top of the agenda of all the big economic zones. Europe's first move has been answered by actions of China and lead to reaction by the USA. The session discusses what policy makers should do and effectively do, how industry adapts and adopts, and how this translates into industrial action.

Session
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