Technical Conference Programme
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Technical Conference Programme

The utilities sector is going through an immense transformation and keeping pace with technological advancements is important to ensure profitability, competitiveness and adequate decarbonisation efforts. The Technical Conference of the World Utilities Congress offers utilities industry professionals unprecedented access to the latest industry knowledge and research findings, technical expertise, new project developments, state of the art technologies and industry best practices.

The conference programme is created through the call for papers that is open for abstract submissions to all companies operating within power, water and gas utilities as well as district cooling. All submitted abstracts will go through an unbiased two-stage review and evaluation process by the Technical Committee, composed of the utilities industry experts. Successful authors will be invited to speak at the conference.

The conference covers the entire value chain of power, water and gas utilities as well as district cooling, and includes power generation, transmission and distribution, water management, water sewage and customer engagement.

TECHNICAL CONFERENCE CATEGORIES:

NUCLEAR ENERGY

GAS TO POWER TECHNOLOGIES AND OPERATIONS

RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION TECHNOLOGIES AND OPERATIONS

HYDROGEN AND AMMONIA IN THE POWER AND WATER INDUSTRIES

TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION INNOVATION AND ENERGY STORAGE

SMART METERS, SMART CITIES AND CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT

UNINTERRUPTED POWER SUPPLY (UPS), ONSITE POWER AND CRITICAL BACKUP POWER

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

POWER AND WATER FINANCE, REGULATIONS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE POWER, WATER AND GAS UTILITIES

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND DECARBONISATION IN THE UTILITIES INDUSTRY

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND UTILITIES ASSET MAINTENANCE

WATER SUPPLY, MANAGEMENT AND IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

WATER DESALINATION

WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND RECYCLING

GAS AS UTILITY

DISTRICT COOLING

  • Monday 08 May 2023 Day - 1
  • Tuesday 09 May 2023 Day - 2
  • Wednesday 10 May 2023 Day - 3
11:30 - 13:00
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 8
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Session 1: Innovations in the nuclear industry

CHAIR

Nathan Paterson,  Senior Programme Lead – Supply Chain,  World Nuclear Association, UK

Herve De Tremiolles,  International Development Manager,  EDF DIPNN, France

NUWARD safety approach and licensing objectives for international deployment

Jan Van Der Lee

Director of Nuclear Export Technologies

EDF Nuward, France

Overview of EPRI’s research in engineering and construction of new nuclear power plants

Hasan Charkas

Principal Project Manager, Advanced Nuclear Technology (ANT)

Electric Power Research Institute, USA

Hydrogen production with Small Modular Reactors – a study on system dynamics and suitable technologies

Eero Karola

Research Scientist

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Finland

11:30 - 13:00
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 9
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Session 2: Hydrogen’s emerging influence in the power and water sector

CO-CHAIRS

Antonio Valentin Diaz,  Head of Projects Delivery,  EDF Renewables Middle East, UAE

Khalid Oumejjoud ,  Managing Director,  PSM Thomassen Gulf, UAE

Pathways to a UAE-based green hydrogen economy

Krishiv Gandhi

R&D Engineer

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), UAE

The role of gas-turbines in a net-zero energy system

Cristopher Sagar

Chief Engineer

Atkins, UAE

The current state and future role of hydrogen in power generation

Patrik Farkas

General Manager, Market Development – Middle East & Asia

Wärtsilä, UAE

Export of hydrogen and ammonia

Secil Torun

Vice President - Engineering and Technical Project Management

ENGIE, UAE

14:00 - 15:30
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 8
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Session 3: Gas as an enabler to deliver net-zero

CO-CHAIRS

Milton Dasgupta,  Business Development Manager,  Wärtsilä Energy, UAE

Marco Cioffi,  Service Marketing Manager,  Ansaldo Energia, Italy

An opportunity to decarbonise gas turbine power plants and offer grid scale energy storage to enable renewables

Jeffrey Benoit

Vice President, Clean Energy Solutions

PSM – a Hanwha Company, USA

Hydrogen integration into gas power plants

Jihad Aoun

Regional Sales Manager

MAN Energy Solutions Middle East, UAE

The future of Natural gas in a net zero world

Olakunle Williams

Chief Executive Officer

Tetracore Group

Mechanical treatment of various types of waste for electrical energy generation in biogas plants by the use of hydrocyclones

Thomas Senfter

Researcher

MCI - The Entrepreneurial School, Austria

14:00 - 15:30
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 9
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Session 4: Essential guide to water desalination

CO-CHAIRS

Ali Abbas Yousif Sani,  Projects Engineer,  Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA), UAE

Yacine Addad,  Associate Professor, Nuclear Engineering,  Khalifa University, UAE

An innovative power cycle for an advanced desalination system integrated with renewable energy sources

Orazio Alberto Terracciano

R&D Design Engineer

Baker Hughes, Italy

New techniques to improve the quality of the feed water in reverse osmosis units

Mohamed Yakan

Technology General Manager

The Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (Echem), Egypt

Fabrication of gelatin membrane incorporated with cellulose nanocrystals for removal of heavy metal ions from Industrial effluent

Prof John Kabuba Tshillenge

Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering Department

Vaal University of Technology, South Africa

15:30 - 17:00
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 8
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Session 5: Next-generation developments in transmission and distribution

CHAIR

Anes Dallagi,  Abu Dhabi Manager Power System & Transmission Engineering,  EDF, UAE

Connecting the world to drive renewable energy efficiency

Nicolas Chamollet

Project Manager

EDF CIST-INGEUM, France

Maintaining and enhancing resiliency through the green energy transition

Ansari Aadil Shahzad

Associate R&D Engineer

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), UAE

AGT's competitive solutions for long-duration energy storage

Leonardo Torbidoni

Manager

Ansaldo Green Tech, Italy

Utilization of energy storage techniques to enable high renewable energy integration in the power grid, meanwhile reducing total system cost

Avanthika Satheesh

Director- Emerging Technologies- Middle East North Africa

CES, India

15:30 - 17:00
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 9
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Session 6: Best practice in asset integrity and maintenance

CHAIR

Rui de Sousa,  Principal Industry Advisor,  SAP, UAE

Leak detection: synergy with SAR analytics and the way forward

Christopher Gaggo

President

Water Vision Technology, UAE

Metroscope, an AI solution for Monitoring & Diagnostics in Power Generation Assets

Clara Boisserand

Chief Business Officer

Metroscope, France

A gradient boosting machine learning-based classification of alarms and events in switching stations complete power plants

Zahi Mohamed Osman Mohamed

Assistant Electrical Engineer

Al Ain Distribution Company, UAE

New asset management strategies safeguarding the energy system in times of global crises

Dr. Gero Bieser

Chief Solution Expert - IBU Utilities

SAP, Germany

10:00 - 11:30
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 8
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Session 7: IoT deployment in utilities

CHAIR

Slawomir Klimowicz,  Industry Executive Value Advisor,  SAP, UAE

AI-enabled asset integrity solutions to enable performance and continuity of service

Giampietro Sana

SVP, Digital Transformation

Injazat, UAE

NetCreate, the future of utility master planning

Andy Taylor

Digital Transformation Director

Atkins, UK

Matt McDonald

Digital Transformation Assocaite

Atkins

Identification of meter faults using machine learning algorithms

Emel Gülcan

Senior Information Systems Specialist

Enerjisa, Turkey

IoT Deployment in Oil and Gas Industry

Manal Hassan

AGM-Control and SCADA

Egyptian Natural Gas Company (GASCO)

10:00 - 11:30
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 9
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Session 8: Next-gen developments in renewable energy applications

CO-CHAIRS

Giriraj Rathore,  Senior Business Development Manager,  Wärtsilä Energy, UAE

Lina Hijazi,  Proposal Manager,  Masdar, UAE

Impact of a virtual synchronous generator function on energy storage systems for off-grid island operations.

Fernando D. Niggli

Strategic Business Development Manager

DEIF A/S, Denmark

Jacob Danielsen

Product Manager Hybrid & Wind

DEIF A/S, Denmark

Net-zero carbon emission - an asset monitoring & optimization solution (AMOS) roadmap

Vineet Kumar

President

50 Hertz Limited, India

An adjustable machine learning gradient boosting-based controller for PV applications

Zahi Mohamed Osman Mohamed

Assistant Electrical Engineer

Al Ain Distribution Company, UAE

The Future of Renewable Energy Storage - Beyond Batteries

Bilal Sheikh

Chief Marketing officer

Enercap power industries LLC

11:30 - 13:30
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 8
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Session 9: The digital power plant of the future

CO-CHAIRS

Saleh Ghalib Sadiq Atatreh,  Senior R&D Engineer,  Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), UAE

Hafez AlSayed,  Managing Director GCC,  BECKHOFF Automation , UAE

An asset performance tool using data analytics for Transco’s power transmission network

Balasubramanian Nainar

Senior Power Performance Engineer

Transco, UAE

‘Gas system of future’ – digital twin project?

Ninad Jagtap

Sr Management Consultant for Utilities

IBM Consulting, India

Biren Gandhi

Executive Partner & Global Industry CoE Leader-Energy & Resources

IBM Consulting, Germany

Leveraging smart grid data to support local authorities in their ecological transition

Francois Cordel

Data Science Manager

ENEDIS an EDF group entity, France

Maher Aboujaoude

Data Expert Consultant at Innovative Analytics

ENEDIS an EDF group entity, France

Emissions optimization for energy assets via sustainability-related digital solutions

Alexander Ferrari

MENATI Regional Engineering Director – Gas Technology Services

Baker Hughes, Italy

11:30 - 13:30
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 9
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Session 10: Successful health and safety strategies for the utilties market

CO-CHAIRS

Nada Abubakr,  Managing Director,  Isle Utilities Middle East, UAE

Ian Rodgers,  Product Manager Assessment Services – Digital Services,  Xylem Inc., UAE

Human performance leadership - enhancing managers and team performance

Edward Smith

Managing Director

Inspirational Development Group Middle East, UAE

Process safety management transformation in the power & utility sector (UAE)

Ahmad Alhonjol

Principal

dss+, UAE

Explosion effects and physical security protection

Dr. Mohamad Zineddin

Security Expert

Nawah Energy, UAE

14:00 - 15:30
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 8
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Session 11: Part 1: Decarbonisation of utilities (case studies)

CO-CHAIRS

Grant McKay,  Climate Technologies Sales Manager - NET Power,  Baker Hughes

Mohamed Taha Sayed,  Automation Leader,  Enppi, Egypt

The use of microgrids to provide high availability and low carbon power and cooling to data centres

Phil Reid

Head of Energy Transition

RED Engineering Design, United Kingdom

Insights on practices to deliver emission reductions within Abu Dhabi electricity sector

Dr. Ahmed Taha

Specialist - Electrical Network Performance

Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), UAE

Important design and operation factors effecting the feasibility of post combustion carbon dioxide capture from point sources of emissions to atmosphere.

Ahmed Aboudheir

President

Aboudheir Consulting, Canada

Route maps for the decarbonisation of industry to reach net zero

Julie Gilmour

Decarbonisation Consultant

Atkins, UK

14:00 - 15:30
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 9
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Session 12: The future of district cooling

CO-CHAIRS

Antonio Di Cecca,  Chief Operating Officer,  Tabreed , UAE

The role of retro-commissioning in delivering optimal design efficiencies

Dan Mizesko

President

Dalkia/U.S. Chiller Services, USA

Swiss CO2 technology providing affordable, reliable and green energy district heating and cooling services

Tobias Koch

CEO

DUNE-Invest DMCC, UAE (presenting on behalf of ExerGo)

Big data analysis and intelligent reporting in district cooling plants

Suheil Samara

Senior Manager (Automation and Digital)

SNC-Lavalin, UAE

Impact of using VFD on district cooling plants

10:00 - 11:30
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 8
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Session 13: Smart utility solutions for smart cities

CO-CHAIRS

Nader Al Zoubi,  Power & Grid - T&D Vice President ,  Schneider Electric , UAE

Nada Abubakr,  Managing Director,  Isle Utilities Middle East, UAE

Using data science to optimise meter asset management: a case study in 2 large utilities

Ian Rodgers

Client Solutions Architect

Xylem, UAE

A framework for estimating EV load and managing peak demand through controlled charging behaviour on electricity distribution networks

Dr. Rakesh Bohra

Lead, Energy Transition

Infosys Limited (India)

Surya Srinivas Chavali

Senior Industry Principal – Energy & Utilities

Infosys, India

Leveraging smart grid data to reduce non technical losses

Véronique Verrier

Data Scientist

ENEDIS an EDF group Entity, France

The Future of Renewable Energy Storage- Beyond Batteries

Bilal Sheikh

Chief Marketing officer

Enercap power industries LLC

10:00 - 11:30
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 9
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Session 14: Power and water outlook (finance, regulations & project management)

CO-CHAIRS

Davide Felugo,  UAE Branch Manager,  Ansaldo Energia , UAE

Buket Guner,  Investment Manager,  EDF, UAE

Multi-criteria performance indices for electricity distribution utilities’ programs

Mohamed A. AlEmam

Manager, Business Development

EDF, Saudi Arabia

Key enablers of hybrid power plants in the GCC

Omar Hatoum

Financial and Market Analyst - Energy Business

Wärtsilä , UAE

Benefits of the role of a system integrator in the delivery of utility-scale projects

Mark Mooney

Engineering Consultant (Resident Engineer/Project Manager)

ESB International (ESBI), Bahrain

Impact of price reform and transition policies on utility sector emissions and cost of service in Saudi Arabia

David Omom

Senior Economist, Strategy & Markets Analysis

Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia

11:30 - 13:00
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 8
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Session 15: Best practices for solar power generation

CHAIR

Harry Apostoleris,  Postoctoral Researcher in Energy Systems Analysis,  Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), UAE

Cost reduction in renewable energy: optimal strategies to achieve it

Mothana Bahjeat Qteishat

Senior Managing Director, MEA & APAC

Jinko Power

Battery storage: key enabler for large-scale integration of renewable energies

Dr. Matthias Vetter

Head of Department, Electrical Energy Storage

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, Germany

PV Hosting capacity of an LV Feeder: an empirical approach to finding accurate value

Nada Abubakr

Managing Director

Isle Utilities Middle East, United Arab Emirates

11:30 - 13:00
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 9
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Session 16: Industry perspectives on wastewater treatment and recycling.

CHAIR

Dr. Titia De Mis,  Sustainability Manager,  Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADSSC), UAE

Novel wastewater treatment and recycling methods in the UAE

Muthana Shirzad

CEO

Protium Technologies, UK

Conservation and Reuse of Processed water as Wash Water and in Irrigation

Dr. Mohamed Saad Mahmoud

Sr. Lab Scientist

Aramco, Saudi Arabia

Environmental impact assessments focused on the uses of treated wastewater

Dr. Fatima Hasan Abdulla Alhamedi

Senior Research Specialist

Abu Dhabi Quality & Conformity Council, UAE

Future-proofing wastewater treatment - a UK perspective

Lu’ay Khdeir

Regional Water Market Director - Middle East

Atkins

14:00 - 15:30
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 8
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Session 17: Part 2: Decarbonisation of utilities (case studies)

CO-CHAIRS

Majdi Hakem Al-Harbi ,  Power Generation Superintendent ,  Marafiq Power & Water Utility Company, Saudi Arabia

Anouska Khan,  Energy Sustainability Consultant,  Insight Plum, UAE

Decarbonising plants with hydrogen-ready power generation package, integrating high fuel-flex gas turbines

Serena Gabriele

Sr. Business Manager

Hydrogen, Baker Hughes

Towards Sustainable Wastewater

Dr. Titia de Mes

Sustainability Manager

Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADSSC)

Improving the customer journey with flexible services

Ludovic Lamberti

Strategic Partnership Manager

Schneider Electric, UAE

Mayank Sharma

X-to-Grid & DC Influence and Standards Manager

Schneider Electric, UAE

How advanced overhead line conductors are helping combat climate change

Djamel Zerari

Regional Manager

CTC Global, UAE

14:00 - 15:30
ROOM :  CAPITAL SUITE 9
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Session 18: Robust water conservation and management strategies

CO-CHAIRS

Sultan Khaled Alkendi,  Application Marketing Manager,  Borouge Pte. Ltd., UAE

Dr. Titia De Mis,  Sustainability Manager,  Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADSSC), UAE

Asset management and optimisation: pressure transient monitoring

Ian Rodgers

Client Solutions Architect

Xylem, UAE

Optimal location for installing energy recovery system in TRANSCO water transmission system to recover energy

SPEAKER
Senior Representative
LG Sonic, Netherlands

Aamna Al Mazrouei

Sustainable Critical Infrastructure Student

Khalifa University, UAE

Sustainable Sludge Management

Alejandro Jimenez

Head of Business Development and Sales

CAMBI

Robotic leak detection and condition assessment of water pipelines

Moinak Banerjee

Cofounder and Head of Products

Solinas Integrity, India

  • Monday 08 May 2023 Day - 1
  • Tuesday 09 May 2023 Day - 2
  • Wednesday 10 May 2023 Day - 3