The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council launched its Expo 2020 business roundtable series at the U.S. Pavilion on Monday October 4th with a thought-provoking discussion about the future of energy and powering a cleaner and more sustainable planet. Distinguished panelists from ExxonMobil, GE, Westinghouse, and Khalifa University unpacked groundbreaking developments in renewables, carbon capture and storage, and nuclear power in conversation with Business Council President Danny Sebright. This panel coincided with Expo 2020’s “Climate and Biodiversity” theme week. A video recording of this session can be found here.
Expo 2020 U.S. Pavilion Commissioner General Bob Clark provided scene-setting remarks to inaugurate this important series of 10 Business Council panels at the U.S. Pavilion designed to showcase U.S. innovation to a global audience. U.S. Regional Senior Commercial Officer for the U.A.E, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait Thomas Bruns then provided remarks on how the U.S. mission supports U.S. companies pursuing business in the region.
Dr. Abdurrahman Khalidi, Chief Technology Officer for EMEA at GE, discussed GE’s focus on renewable energy and decarbonization, particularly of the gas power sector. Dr. Khalidi spoke of GE’s development of some of the world’s largest and most innovative offshore wind turbines, standing 220 meters tall. Dr. Khalidi also highlighted some of the other cutting-edge technologies that GE has developed in recent years, noting that among other things, GE will invest in hydrogen, which is a short path to decarbonization.
Christian Lenoble, U.A.E. Country Manager for ExxonMobil, stressed ExxonMobil’s commitment to reducing emissions while advancing decarbonizing solutions, remarking that ExxonMobil is the leading company in the world in terms of carbon capture, having captured 120 million tons to date. Christian also discussed some of the innovative new fuel technologies that Exxon is developing, with more than 20 projects planned around the world to apply low carbon technologies.
Jung Kim, U.A.E. Branch Manager for Westinghouse Electric Company, highlighted the company’s role in fostering a zero emissions future, noting that once all four units of the U.A.E.’s Barakah nuclear power plants are operational, they will produce 25% of the U.A.E.’s energy needs. Moreover, Jung discussed Westinghouse’s micro reactors, which he emphasized will be a game changer in deploying nuclear technology to remote areas.
Finally, Dr. Nicolas Calvet, who serves as Assistant Professor at Khalifa University of Science and Technology and is the Founder and Chair of the Masdar Institute Solar Platform discussed the U.A.E.’s utilization of solar power in its energy mix. Dr. Calvet also underscored different approaches to powering a cleaner future by providing a comprehensive review of new technologies at the intersection of energy, water, and food production, as well as more effective waste management in a single ecosystem operating at the local level.
The Business Council’s next Expo business roundtable discussion will occur at the U.S. Pavilion on Tuesday October 19th. The Business Council will host a conversation on international partnerships in space exploration. Distinguished panelists from Boeing, Jacobs, Lockheed Martin, and StarLab Oasis will highlight the latest breakthroughs in space technology and the importance of cross-border exchange in advancing innovation. This event coincides with Expo 2020 Dubai’s “Space” theme week.
For more information about the U.S.- U.A.E. Business Council’s upcoming programming and Expo-related activities, please contact Ms. Mary Zuccarello at mzuccarello@usuaebusiness.org.
