Keynote Speakers
Prof. Hossam A. Gabbar
P.Eng, Fellow IET, Distinguished Lecturer-IEEE NPSS,Director of Smart Energy Systems Lab, Ontario Tech University, Canada
Speech Title: Hybrid Energy with Hydrogen Deployment Strategies for the Transition to Zero Carbon Communities
Abstract: In this talk, hybrid energy with hydrogen deployments strategies are analyzed, modeled usign collaborative simulation. The different modeling levels of hybrid energy systems and hydrogen technologies will be presented as interconnected with community infrastructures. Collaborative simulation approaches are used to evaluate the utilization to plan hydrogen deployment in municipalities and community applications. The concept of energy semantic network is utilized to model energy networks and interconnected infrasturctures while defining key performance indicators. The collaborative simulation will enable the definition of different strategies and scenarios and optimize based on performance, risks, and transactive energy. Case studies will be presnted with energy, nuclear, transportation, hydrogen, and water networks as interfaced with infrastructures.
Biography: Dr. Gabbar is a full Professor in the Department of Energy and Nuclear Engineering, the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, at Ontario Tech University (UOIT), where he has established the Energy Safety and Control Lab (ESCL), Smart Energy Systems Lab, and Advanced Plasma Engineering Lab. He is the recipient of the Senior Research Excellence Aware for 2016, UOIT. He is recognized among the top 2% of worldwide scientists with high citation in the area of energy. He is a Fellow IET (FIET) and a Distinguished Lecturer – IEEE NPSS on Nuclear-Renewable Hybrid Energy Systems and Plasma-based Waste-to-Energy. He is leading national and international research in the areas of smart energy grids, energy safety and control systems, and waste-to-energy using advanced plasma technologies. Dr. Gabbar obtained his B.Sc. degree in 1988 with first class of honor from the Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University (Egypt). In 2001, he obtained his Ph.D. degree from Okayama University (Japan). From 2001 till 2004, he joined Tokyo Institute of Technology (Japan), as a research associate. From 2004 till 2008, he joined Okayama University (Japan) as an Associate Professor, in the Division of Industrial Innovation Sciences. From 2007 till 2008, he was a Visiting Professor at the University of Toronto. He also worked as process control, safety, and automation specialist in energy and oil & gas industries. Dr. Gabbar has more than 230 publications, including patents, books / chapters, journal and conference papers.
Prof. Saim Memon
CEO & Industrial Professor of Renewable Energy Engineering, Sanyou London Pvt Ltd, UK;Department for Engineering, School of Engineering and the Built Environment, Birmingham City University, UK
Speech Title: Modern Mass-Produced Vacuum Insulation Technologies for Energy-Efficient and Sustainable Building Retrofits and Temperature-Sensitive Transportation Applications
Abstract: Achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires transforming academic research into scalable products that reduce energy consumption and associated carbon emissions. This keynote introduces modern, mass-produced vacuum insulation technologies aimed at addressing energy efficiency in buildings and temperature-sensitive transportation sectors. The Vacuum Insulated Wallpaper (VIW), an ultra-thin, cost-effective solution, provides high-performance insulation with a thickness of 4 mm and thermal conductivity below 5 mW/m·K, enhancing energy efficiency in hot-arid and cold-arid climates. Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs), made from fiberglass or fumed silica, deliver exceptional thermal performance with conductivity as low as 2.5 mW/m·K at 15 mm thickness and 4.5 mW/m·K at 25 mm thickness, offering superior insulation in extreme climates with less space compared to traditional materials. The decorative integrated VIP (MCM and Metal) offers fire-resistant and weather-proof external insulation, achieving conductivity below 7 mW/m·K at 30 mm thickness, leading to up to 22% energy savings and significant reductions in noise and temperature rise. Beyond buildings, the Vacuum Insulated Bag-or-Box (VIBB) system incorporates flexible VIPs and polyurethane (PU) to maintain internal temperatures without external cooling, crucial for cold chain logistics and the transportation of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and food products. VIBB systems are tailored to specific applications, including the Medical Box, Deep Cold Box, Rolling Cart Cover, and Fresh Bag, each designed to meet diverse temperature control needs. These innovations collectively contribute to global sustainability efforts by improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon footprints, and ensuring safe, efficient transport across various industries.
Biography: Prof. Dr. Saim Memon, CEO and Industrial Professor of Renewable Energy Engineering, unifies academic research and development, industrial manufacturing, and product distribution in the global market. Prof. Saim ranked in the top 0.96% worldwide in the field of Energy and the Top 0.86% overall among all scholars worldwide over the past 5 years (ScholarGPS) as a result of extensive academic and research contributions that includes 120+ research publications, 41 taught modules (with module leadership) in electrical, electronic, mechanical, and renewable energy engineering with over 90% student satisfaction, along with successful supervision of 2+ PhD projects, 12+ MSc/MEng projects, and 23+ BEng (Hons) projects. He has held 50+ invited/keynote speakerships, engaged in research collaborations with 40+ countries worldwide, accumulated 1600+ citations with a 23+ h-index and a 52+ i10-index, served in 5+ editor-in-chief and guest editorships, and fulfilled 40+ journal reviewer roles. Prof. Saim has also demonstrated his academic leadership and made significant contributions to lead research group and MSc/MEng/BEng (Hons) courses directorship and degree apprenticeships with development and validation. Prof Saim built his academic research career in the UK, earned PhD in Mechanical, Electrical & Manufacturing Engineering; PGCert in Teaching Qualification; MSc in Mechatronics; and BEng (Hons) in Electrical Engineering (1st Class Distinction). Prof Saim is also a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of Higher Education Academy, holding Qualified Teacher Status granted by General Teaching Council for Scotland in the UK. Prof. Saim has world-leading multidisciplinary research expertise in Electrical, Mechanical, and Renewable Energy Engineering. His specific research experiences encompass net-zero energy buildings, vacuum insulation, thermal management of electric vehicle batteries, translucent vacuum insulation panels, energy materials for vacuum insulated smart windows, vacuum-based photovoltaic solar thermal collectors, applied semi-transparent photovoltaics and switchable films, renewable energy technologies, thermoelectric devices for energy harvesting and smart grid integration into electric vehicles with fast-charging battery mechanisms.