The third European Future Energy Forum (EFEF), an annual conference and exhibition that gathers international business and government leaders, will focus on the challenge to identify key game-changing technologies and practical techniques for implementation.
The EFEF 2011 will additionally seek to refocus attention on the need to address climate change and the importance of delivering new energy sources, and the more efficient development and management of existing ones.
Organized in association with Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted renewable energy company, and supported by the State of Geneva, EFEF 2011 will be held from 10-12 October at Palexpo in Geneva. The theme for this year’s conference is: ‘Making Innovation Happen for a Sustainable World’.
The EFEF fosters regional dialogue and continues conversations that were initiated this past January at the fourth annual World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi; it will bring together decision makers from governments and industries, investors, solution providers and academics to discuss the key issues shaping the future of European renewable energy industry, and provide a unique forum for doing business in this vitally important field.
The opening ceremony will be attended by Micheline Calmy-Rey, President of the Swiss Confederation, Pierre-François Unger, State Councilor for Economy and Health, Vice-President of the State Council of Geneva, and Fabricio Hernández Pampaloni, State Secretary for Energy, Spain.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, will deliver a keynote address at the official opening of the Forum. Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, will moderate the opening plenary session.
Daniel Calderon, Head of Origination and Investment Management, Masdar Power, will participate as a panelist in a session titled ‘Discover the Cutting Edge (Ideas Storm)’ where he will talk about Torresol Energy Investments S.A.’s Gemasolar project - the world’s first utility-scale baseload concentrating solar tower power plant. Enrique Sendagorta Gomendio, President, Torresol Energy Investments, Masdar’s joint venture with SENER, will be another panelist in the session. Daniel will also participate in a session titled ‘Solar Market Development’.
Ahmed Baghoum, Director, Masdar City Zone, will participate in a plenary session titled ‘Visionaries: Those that have and are shaping the future energy landscape’. Professor Steven Griffiths, Executive Director, Office of Institute Initiatives, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, will be a panelist in a discussion titled ‘The landscape of renewable energies: Future Energy Mix – a recipe for success’ and the closing plenary.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said: “Masdar looks forward to the European Future Energy Forum in Geneva, where we hope to continue building bridges with nations and companies to address our future energy challenges. The event will also offer us the right platform to showcase our progress as a renewable energy enterprise that has multifaceted operations in advancing clean technology and renewable energy solutions.”
The EFEF 2011 will have a special emphasis on business from utility, energy, renewable energy, infrastructure companies and future energy consultancies to explore potentials and discuss the crucial ingredients to find future renewable energy solutions.
The conference will host a wide range of interactive sessions including plenary sessions with top decision makers and thought leaders, interactive sessions bringing together politicians, industry leaders and experts, financial specialists and NGOs, as well as workshops and knowledge transfer sessions.
An international ‘Cleantech’ Exhibition will showcase companies with `Cutting Edge` ideas and technology to present products and services. Visitors will also have an opportunity to attend free knowledge transfer sessions related to ‘Energy Efficiency’.
Masdar will showcase two of its partnerships with clean technology leaders at EFEF 2011: the Torresol Energy joint venture which commissioned the 19.9MW Gemasolar concentrated solar power (CSP) plant in Spain in May 2011, and the partnership with DONG and E.ON on the London Array Project – in respect of which work is progressing on the 630MW Phase-1 of it in the Thames Estuary. Masdar Credit Suisse Cleantech Fund I will showcase its strategic investments in renewable energy companies in France-based Europlasma and Germany-based Soltecture.
