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In cooperation with the Austrian Development Agency and SEKEM Energy Sustainable Solutions, Heliopolis University hosted the international conference “PV Applications in Egypt: Strategies to Meet the Challenges of the Future.” International experts and researchers have participated in the conference to share interesting experiences and developments about Photovoltaic (PV) projects and in Egypt. Especially the variety of different types of PV applications and their specialties were in the focus of the discussions.
The conference started with a welcoming speech by Helmy Abouleish, SEKEM CEO and Heliopolis University Chair of the Board of Trustees. He emphasized the fact that as Egypt is facing current and future challenges related to energy, such conferences are very important to guide us towards a better future. Moreover, Mr. Abouleish pointed out that Renewable Energies play a key role in the Sekem Vision of 2057 and his willingness proceeding with the ongoing shift from fossil fuels towards renewables within Sekem institutions, starting at agriculture fields but also as part of all education facilities and in the supply of the processing industries.
“As fuel and electricity prices are dramatically rising up, there is no other way than PV applications not only for lighting houses but also in both water and agriculture sectors.” Rasha Elkholy.
With the help of Prof. Hani Sewilam (RWTH Aachen University) as a facilitator, the conference started with a session by Dr. Rasha Elkholy (Heliopolis University Vice President and Dean of Engineering). She showcased the projects and training programs that were implemented within Heliopolis University campus in the field of PV applications and systems.
“We want to pave a way for a resilient PV sector in Egypt through a holistic, demand adapted system approach.” Birgit Birnstingl
Birgit Birnstingl and Michael Puttinger from Sekem Energy GmbH also presented their vision for sustainable photovoltaic solutions in Egypt based on their experiences e.g. in Wahat. Their current efforts include technology adaptation (review of installed systems), R&D, knowledge transfer, and training.
The conference included several sessions that tackled different aspects of the same challenging issue. Researchers and experts from both the public and private sectors around the world shared their experiences in Egypt related to PV applications. Education and vocational training was one of the main aspects discussed in the first session of the conference. On that occasion, training completion certificates were handed to the participants of the TOT Photovoltaic Technicians training course that was organized by Sekem Energy and realized by BFI Burgenland. With an interesting presentation about a building integrated PV application closed the first session. Following a coffee break sponsored by PVP- Innovative high performance Glass modules, made in Austria a second session started about framework for PV applications in Egypt and varieties of possible finance schemes for foreign and local investors. The conference was realized as part of a holistic PV Project funded by the Austrian Development Agency, ADA.