The Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) in conjunction with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the world’s preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, have announced the holding of the ‘Energy Storage Forum,’ a three-day activity-filled event that aims to explore the potential role of grid scale energy in the ongoing efforts to enable effective use of renewable energy resources–a key factor in the Middle East region’s move to achieve a sustainable and decarbonized power sector.

The forum, which will be held from March 28, 2022 to March 30, 2022 at the Sofitel hotel in Dubai, will feature the participation of some of the world’s leading names in power and electricity–all coming together to tackle key challenges that the industry is currently facing, including issues in planning, deployment and energy storage.

According to senior officials of the GCCIA, the ‘Energy Storage Forum’ presents a five-pronged set of points to be addressed. These include the potential of energy storage in energy transformation; the current state of the world’s market in energy storage; the presence of opportunities and challenges in key areas across the Middle East and North African (MENA) region; sharing of lessons and experiences gained in energy storage and the creation of a strategic roadmap for the development and further growth of the energy storage segment. In addition, the forum looks towards providing participants with the opportunities to network with top tech providers, utility leaders and fellow industry leaders.

Eng. Ahmed Al Ebrahim, CEO, GCCIA, said, “The GCCIA understands the extremely significant role played by energy storage, which is a fast changing asset class in the world’s electric power systems. In line with this, we are co-hosting with EPRI the ‘Energy Storage Forum’– a strategic forum where we can discuss the latest global trends and innovations in energy storage and the associated opportunities and challenges.”

The three-day event features an agenda filled with key activities specially prepared for participants from the energy sector. The forum will open with a keynote address to be given by GCCIA CEO Ahmed Ali Al Ebrahim, this will be followed by the first session, which focuses on providing a technology overview on energy storage. Other activities set for the first day include a keynote message on the achievement of a sustainable power sector; a panel discussion on the sustainability in the power sector and a special cocktail networking event at Expo 2020 Dubai. Meanwhile, the second day of the forum will showcase activities like a special keynote covering California’s energy future; an overview of the global energy storage market and presentation on case studies covering the region’s deployment and asset management of energy storage and the European Union’s (EU) application of hydrogen. Lastly, the third day will feature a session on the evolution of power system planning and the emerging energy storage technologies and drivers. The forum will be capped off with a closing ceremony and a hosted lunch for participants.

“As the energy sector continues to decarbonize, it will increasingly rely on variable renewable energy resources to help reach climate targets,” said EPRI CEO Arshad Mansoor. “Energy storage across timeframes from seconds and seasons will be needed to provide grid reliability services including balancing energy when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow. This forum will provide the opportunity to share key industry insights and innovations as the region diversifies its energy mix.”

Some of the world’s top power and energy experts have already confirmed their participation at this highly-interactive forum, including Haresh Kamath, Director of Distributed Energy Resources and Energy Storage, EPRI; Gabe Murtaugh, Storage Sector Manager, California Independent System Operator; Ahmed Albalawi, Head of Renewables and Energy Storage Research, Saudi Electric Company; Gauri Singh, Deputy Director-General, International Renewable Energy Agency; and Frank Wouters, Director EU-GCC, Clean Energy Network, to name a few.

“We are extremely grateful and thankful to experts who will be gracing the ‘Energy Storage Forum.’ The results of the discussions made across the three days of the event will help our stakeholders in their move to support the development of safe, reliable, economic, and environmentally responsible solutions tailored for the region’s needs,” concluded Al Ebrahim.