Latest news with #SupremeCouncilofEnergy
Gulf Today
17-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Agenda for the 7th GOTECH 2025 technology conference unveiled
The organizing committee for the GOTECH 2025 technology conference revealed the official agenda for the seventh edition of the conference during a press conference in Dubai. The event will be held from April 21 to 23, 2025, under the patronage and presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy in Dubai. GOTECH is one of the most prominent conferences in the oil and gas sector, and this year's theme is: 'Towards a Digital and Sustainable Future of Energy.' Global leaders, innovators, and experts will gather to explore the future of energy under one roof. The event is organised in partnership with the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and Dragon Oil, providing a dynamic platform to explore the changing challenges and opportunities within the energy sector. The press conference was attended by representatives of participating organizations and sponsors, as well as experts and specialists in the energy and technology sectors, alongside local and international media. The Honorary President of the Organizing Committee, His Excellency Engineer Ali Rashid Al Jarwan, CEO of Dragon Oil, fully owned by the Government of Dubai, said in his speech: 'The patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of this event emphasizes the importance of supporting digital transformation and innovation in the energy sector, as well as artificial intelligence applications. It also strengthens Dubai's position as a global hub for knowledge and technology in this field. While we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Dragon Oil's establishment, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment for the energy sector. The decisions we make today will shape the future of our sector for generations to come. GOTECH 2025 provides an exceptional platform to exchange ideas and innovation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in both digital transformation and sustainability. It is a unique opportunity to discuss the next generation of technologies that will address new challenges and seize opportunities in the changing energy landscape.' Al Jarwan also expressed deep appreciation for the vision of His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD& CEO of Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) and Dragon Oil Chairman, and his continuous support for sustainable and digital transformation efforts, emphasizing that this vision aligns with the aspirations of the leadership, especially His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in supporting innovation and the development of the energy sector in line with the future ambitions of the UAE. Michelle Boyd, General Manager of Events at the Society of Petroleum Engineers, stated, 'The energy sector is undergoing unprecedented transformations, and it's essential to address both the technical and human aspects. GOTECH 2025 provides a unique opportunity for sector leaders and innovators to discuss the intersection of technology, sustainability, and talent development. This event will provide invaluable insights into how innovation can drive a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.' The agenda includes discussions on topics such as: Panel 1: Harnessing the Power of Digital Transformation Panel 2: Talent and Skills Development in the New Energy Landscape Panel 3: Accelerating the Energy Transition: A Deep Dive into Low-Carbon Technologies Panel 4: Maximizing Recovery from Mature Assets: Innovative Strategies and Technologies Panel 5: Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Energy Sector. The conference will also feature specialized technical sessions, including: Enhancing mature field production using analytics and machine learning; Digital transformation in the oil and gas industry Artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and advanced drilling and production technologies. Cybersecurity: The event will also include workshops, including one focusing on offshore operations excellence through technology, innovation, and sustainability. Additionally, a dedicated university platform will give students opportunities to interact with industry leaders, speakers, and exhibitors, while showcasing their projects and research on energy, innovation, and digital technologies. The accompanying technology exhibition will showcase products and solutions from over 48 exhibitors transforming the energy sector, offering attendees a chance to engage with innovators and explore how digital transformation and sustainability are shaping the future of energy. The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) is a non-profit professional organization with more than 132,000 members in 146 countries, working in oil and gas exploration and production. SPE is a leading source of technical and professional knowledge, providing opportunities for knowledge exchange through events, publications, and interactive programmes. The event will take place next week in Dubai, under the theme 'Empowering the Future of Energy through Digital Transformation, Innovation, and Sustainability.'
Zawya
08-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Second day of Middle East Energy spotlights transformative impact of AI and advanced battery pack technology
Artificial intelligence plays a critical role in utility operations, customer engagement, and grid management – and can save lives, says VP of Industry Strategy and Innovation at Oracle Dubai, UAE – Energy leaders discussed the transformative impact artificial intelligence, long-term planning, and advanced battery pack technology is having on the national, regional, and international energy sectors during a busy second day of Middle East Energy, supported by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. Running from April 7-9 at Dubai World Trade Centre, this year's event marks the 49th edition of the region's leading energy summit. With more than 150 energy leaders and experts exploring transformative sector innovations and global energy market dynamics, the second day featured a keynote speech from Engineer Faisal Rashid, Senior Director – Demand Side Management at Dubai's Supreme Council of Energy. Speaking during the two-day Middle East Energy Leadership Summit, Eng Rashid outlined the Emirate's pathway to achieving net zero by 2050, detailing key insights into sectors such as manufacturing, transport, waste, power, and water generation. He explained Dubai now has 54,000 buildings compliant with the 2014 Green Building Code, more than 15,000 buildings and villas retrofitted with energy efficient measures, and the number of electric vehicles has grown from just 500 in 2015 to 72,000 presently. 'We know the whole world is moving towards sustainability and we don't want to wake up in 10-20 years and not have started any strategy or activations,' said Eng Rashid, who added the UAE is aiming for a 30 per cent reduction in electricity, water, and fuel consumption by 2030 and a 50 per cent reduction by 2050. 'It's a matter of urgency. It's also why we update our strategy every five years. Earlier in the day on the same stage, Mike Ballard, Vice-President of Industry Strategy and Innovation, Oracle Energy & Water, discussed the increasing integration of AI in utility operations, emphasising its role in customer engagement and grid management. Citing its application in construction safety using image analysis, as well as field work with drone technology and predictive network constraints to prevent service interruptions, Ballard said AI's ability to forecast and respond quickly to unexpected issues – such as incursion of trees – makes it both essential and potentially lifesaving. 'One of the great tools of AI is its ability to predict when accidents are going to happen and to be able to prevent them,' he said. 'When you have a tree hitting a line – which is a huge cause of wildfires around the world – the AI allows for responses in a second or two before the spark that leads to the fire even happens. This is an example of using AI to analyse, predict, engage customers, automate the orchestration of the energy grid, and then continuously improve. 'It's something Oracle has been doing in the consumer engagement space for years through our own power program. We ask why our customers are using their washing machine or fish feeder or cooling their house at that particular time of day. Because we know if we can personalise those insights, we can drive behaviour that allows them to reduce their energy costs and in turn shift their energy demands.' At the colocated Battery Show, conference attendees heard from Kenneth Hoffman, CFA, CIM, Founder and CEO at Traubenbach Associates, who highlighted a significant shift in the battery industry, moving from revolutionary concepts to practical evolutions. Hoffman stressed the importance of addressing consumer demands such as rapid recharge capabilities, showcasing advancements such as BYD Company's ultra-fast charging and the commercialisation of solid-state batteries. 'The future of battery packs lies in changing the pack technology, not just the cell chemistry,' he said. 'We're seeing a fundamental shift where innovative designs, such as CATL's CTP technology, allow for significant reductions in size and cost. This is crucial because it directly translates to more energy packed into the same space, benefiting both stationary storage and electric vehicles. Instead of constantly chasing new, expensive chemistries, optimising how we arrange and cool existing cells offers a more immediate, scalable path to improving performance and affordability,' Hoffman also discussed the strategic importance of regional material processing and cell manufacturing in the Middle East and Africa – advocating for investing in new extraction and processing technologies to lower lithium costs and enhance regional production capabilities. Yet he also cautioned against focusing solely on battery recycling due to current overcapacity, instead encouraging investment in new technology and cost-effective manufacturing. Mark Ring, Group Director, Energy Events at Informa Markets, which organises Middle East Energy, said this year's event is shaping up to change the sector. 'As we enter the halfway mark, we are already seeing some industry partnerships and discussions happening across private and public partnerships that have the potential to shape what the energy landscape will look like in the near future, especially when it comes to integration of technology and artificial intelligence. 'Tomorrow we welcome the Africa Business Leaders Forum, which is taking place under the theme of 'Embracing Transformation in the Power Sector'. Visitors can expect to see some high-level discussions around mobilising capital, empowering local communities, and developing innovative financial mechanisms set to drive the continent's energy landscape forward.' To find out more about Middle East Energy, visit: and to find out more about The Battery Show, visit: And For more information on an invite-only Hosted Buyer Programme, visit: About: Middle East Energy (MEE), set to be held under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, enjoys a 49-year legacy as a leading global energy industry event. By catering to the entire product spectrum of the power industry, from critical and backup power to energy storage and management, year after year, the event attracts a more diverse audience of professionals seeking to source products from multiple sectors, drive cost-effectiveness and efficiency, and move projects forward. MEE has been an essential part of the Middle East's economic expansion, connecting business and introducing new products to the region to build infrastructure, real estate, and commerce. MEE is now helping governments, organisations and SMEs diversify the generation and supply of energy and build a sustainable future. You can read more at
