Resilient Electricity Systems: Lessons Learned From Covid-19
the electricity grid now, which was also vulnerable to demand fluctuations in the climate induced crisis around the world. In 2020, I'm Philip Cornell. I'm a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and also a principal at the Economist group. On. I'll be leading this panel discussion this morning. Indeed, the pandemic came on the heels of major changes already taking place over the past years and the electricity sector Both in terms of traditional utilities, navigating evermore liberalizing energy markets, the rise of distributed energy and off grid producers, much larger integration of variable renewables on greater cross border and inter regional electricity trade. Those changes were tested by
the low demand high renewables impact. Of covert and in many ways accelerated those trends s O. I would like to introduce our panel today. Dr. Mohammed Hello. Elzahabi is executive director of regulatory
affairs at the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy. Dr B. Atrix Matter is executive vice president of transmission at Seaman's energy on Mr Michael Train is president of Emerson and chairman of Emerson. Automation Solutions on Let me Please remind the audience that you can use the conference app.
To submit questions at any time through the discussion s Oh, please, Mohammed. Hello. Let me start with you. Abu Dhabi has really been at the forefront of the transition to advanced energy and grids in the Middle East. How did the, um react to the cross sectoral impacts of the pandemic especially regard to energy? And what were some of the lessons learned across the Arab world from the global pandemic on its impact on the electricity system? Thank you for for allowing me to give to share some of the experiences that we've had, and the adobe comes to dip endemic impact over the past few Months over the past year.
As you know, there was Ah! An impact off the demand off the power supply the demand on the power on our energy needed in Nevada Babe. During the any stages of the pandemic, which was a zoo result off the Look don similar to what happened all around the world. We saw a trend off production off the demand about up to 20%, mainly driven by the lockdown due to the claws off shops, commercial sectors and industrial sector. And that trend. We've not just the also
not only in parts of the Arab boards but also in Europe and the much part of the world. How about, uh, The covert impact from a Barnaby perspective from the regulatory political view as what I do here, and I will not be We wanted. Our target from many years ago is to be resilient regarding whatever the event was, so we wanted to react quickly. So the immediate think that happened, uh in Nevada be wasp to be close to the operators in the sectors being close to the power generators be closed toe. How did you provide us with that? They're so a lot with that their nuclear and here in the lobby, we lost our fact We are way learnt our 1st 1st nuclear reactor during the pantomime. So we wait. We have invested and not small investments during the
pandemic. How even though we saw a huge reduction, uh, similar to the trend, But we thought this was the more of a temporary thing and the Uh, the What we've seen over the past in the during the summer period, even the peak demand and in the summer due to the easing of the lockdown. Supposed ally the previous years when it comes to the demand, So we have reached the peak. I like many other countries. Um, having said that there are There are a lot of lessons dance that we have seen in Abu Dhabi and the key think tow. Avoid any issues when it comes to Addressing the pandemic issues was the close collaboration between the regulator, the operator. All the government entities, including
the For example, and I will not be the Department of Health was very close to us to make sure that Not on the, uh, the safety off people working on the plants, so there was a very close coordination between us. Uh, the private sector was very actively was there were there were I would and I would like to thank them. What they've done is an extraordinary job during the pandemic.
Trying to address the safety off the people and making sure that we have continuities business continuities when it comes to supply off power and water, toe old customers, So I think We did not see any any major issues to income toe supply side. Uh, the demand side actuated, but for us eventually recovered. If you're referring me toe the What's happening in there rest off the Arab world and the rest of the world. Actually, I would say it's mostly similar. We saw with done our own studies, and we've seen a similar reaction worldwide. Ah! And that for us, that would be that did not impact our policies when it comes to the investments off renewables in the future.
So we thought from our perspectives, for example, that renewables are marching the peak demand which is in the summer. That's where we need that a new bill. Renewable energy Most on Gus, where it matches perfectly with our demand profile. So, uh, Our plan for the future has not changed. We believe that the economy recovery will happen quickly, hopefully faster than what everybody's anticipating. But the what investments and there were, uh, renewable energy mix will still remain as forecast previous prior to the pandemic.
Great. Thank you very much. I mean, it's clear that grid resilience is tied to the resilience of staff and the health of the staff that maintains business continuity along those grids, which are obviously changing quite a bit, including in the region be a tricks. The pandemic really tested electricity systems. That are becoming more complex at the distribution level and also with regard to transmission and long distance electricity delivery, which is sort of the focus of your business from your perspective, what has been the biggest disruption in power transmission Let's say over the past decade. Thank you for that question, because it's really from our perspective, great that we have additional opportunities now in the long distance transmission grids to further innovate, which we did not to be honest, have so much in the past, some off that has already been mentioned.
The resilience off the grid is becoming an issue. We are moving away. Let me put some eyes it describe it like this. We have actually three main elements off disruptive impacts on the great The first one is, of course, the remover in feet. Which is changing the great from a linear transmission. Reliable transmission system in tow, having to manage fluctuating in feet.
And also because most off the renewables installed to generate the big capacities needed or sure which, when we also have a dick happening from the generation part and the demand part On a global basis that has to also be handled by secrets. That's together with the fact that we are also closing. Increasingly, soldier generation on CEO to based fuels Is thieves stabilizing the grit or has toe lead in tow investments in stabilizing secrets to handle this, Uh, influences, essentially taking care to keep the frequency This one big topic on that has been mentioned already great stability is additional Need. Now Toby invested and the good news is it's done and the further good news is we have to technology to do so. And on a worldwide basis, I can confirm the everyone is active in ramping this technology up and including it.
Second topic, which is having an influence. We should not underestimate. Is the technology aspect off digitalization? For the first time in our history in transmission creates, we are able in real time to measure the behavior, the physical behavior off our products in the greats. This has never been possible before in because it was too expensive to do so. Now the technology is there. It's a cheap technology digitalization. It's a plug and play technology. We just have to do it. What we need is the data we have We call it I OT as eyewitness Internet of things.
Each and every product off an element of the transmission system. It can be connected. And we do connected to the cloud, and now we can it Toe our automation technologies. For the creates additional expects, which were needing that simulation. That's prediction. Predictive
behavior off the grits and we urgently need to go further stabilize. And of course, we are now much better able Cool. Uh, connect rates with each other. As you have been saying today at some point to form a super quit.
And these three items are these three elements are new to the extent we see them now and again. As I said, we are on it. And if better news in that context is that our investments being made Toe do that. Ah lot off grid operators and utilities. I don't think that they will invest in when you was and integrate. Europe has been announcing that it will in this 800 billion to boost um The wind power and the great connection until 2050. So we see that
on a worldwide basis, and it is done so, to sum it up three aspect now in the focus again in the focus for great operators specific it and the trans missionary that's great stability. Which, with Syrians, specifically to make sure that we are increasing our the performance off our industry, infrastructure and great automation. Thanks so much be a tricks. It's very clear that transmission in the in the sector transition in the sector is being aided by, uh, by technology and technological advancements, Andre that, Mike, I'd like to come to you last since. I think you have a really interesting perspective on some of the trends that we saw across global regions.
And your company is really sort of at the forefront of integrating a lot of those technologies that Beatrice has talked about. What are some of your observations on how covert tested power generation and grid technology. Different parts of the world and accelerated the adoption of some of those advancements. Thank you is pleasure to join everybody here on the panel and everybody around the world. You know, first and foremost, I'd like to salute everybody in the critical infrastructure and essential services. You know the work,
I think Mohammed reference a little bit work that was accomplished around the world to keep everything up and running. Was terrific, and, you know, energy, electricity. All of these systems really, really performed in very challenging times where we sorted through.
Playbook of her for how to be resilient, But we had all of these things happening simultaneously globally simultaneously, which which was tremendous love to celebrate the work. The workers and in the process here, you know, we saw that electricity demand generally dip. It may have been different Mohammed's region, but we saw generally a 2% 3% 4% type of drops and electricity. Very pronounced in the first half of 2020. Obviously, there's some
recovery in the second half of 2020. You know the behavior around, Let's say the power generation facilities. We saw a lot of those facilities. Really minimize their manning and those facilities they cut back on their project activity. Obviously, they deferred maintenance. You know, that really went into a mode to kind of make sure they could kind of survive. Period of time to stay really focused, and you know when we're continuing to see now they're starting to come back at this point in time to do some of those more traditional outage, activities toe sustain those facilities and It enhanced them, So we did see a lot of lot of navigation. Let's save of kind of operating out there around the world. I think the digital tools just like in our office, stately
lives came to the forefront in our facilities. Control systems, the software assets. You know, many of those tools were there Beatrice referenced simulation and some of the analysis tools. I think all the sudden with some real work now being called upon remote operational activities. Those tools got discovered. They got Preston action, and I think they performed really well. For everybody around the world, which was which was really fun to see. And it's probably reshapes the management team
thinking and maybe the speed of which we're gonna be embracing these as we go forward. You know some of the tools that we have around control systems and putting control systems online if you will. You know, we had designed to be able to have remote Office. Uh, participations, right, so you could have different offices around the world participate? I don't think any of us ever imagined we'd be having remote factory acceptances from our living rooms with her. Gets in our dogs in the background running around, but we did that It was it was amazing that we were able to press his tools into those places so And I think the final thing is around on the demand side Electricity, the shaping the daily demand part of electricity, You know, that changed Mohammed mentioned. You know, we got a lot of commercial centers that were reduced in activity. Some of those daytime nighttime, you
know, demand peaks were different in many parts of the world. They've softened a little bit. And again, our electricity providers had to adjust to that to be able to manage the kind of those around the clock kind of implication, so lots of different things here. But again, I salute the world. I mean, everybody was able to keep their systems up and running. Our energy providers are able to get energy to these facilities, and I think everybody did a terrific job.
Great. Thanks very much. It seems very much that you know, will be a tricks you mentioned, for example, the role of super grits. Um, and it seems that you know the trends that had been going on when very much to both interim, greater inter regional transmission We've seen originally in Europe also very much. Seen it in your region. Mohamed with The rise of the GCC interconnection and at the same time, you know, there's also a move towards the local distributed energy resource is and many grids. Maybe be a tricks. What? What do you see as kind of the right mix of both this larger inter regional transmission trend and also the more distributed trended? How do they work together? A zoo. We go forward.
That's a very good question. And for sure not the end of with my answer will be found. But I believe that post of course unnecessary on but we cannot give up on transmission great simply because we will further in the have to invest in the electrification. Asian
We assume all of you think that the electricity demand with double until 2050 from today's perspective, So we will off course who have expand the transmission capacities and the resilience off this But we also need to distribute the greats further in the command area and there we have additional opportunities to integrate electrification like us like heating. Um, everything that's being currently done in order to reduce the Sciutto footprint will be having a very important player plays a very important role specifically in the cities. Us off these grits are working together very well. And as um Mike pointed out that the technology is there to make sure that information is shared between the two elements, the transmission and the distribution grip and that we at that point off the interface have enough intelligence to handle the information.
Hopefully be, but we will also need specifically, I think imposed areas. Some storage, um, investments in order to, um um, um, stabilize the whole system, especially in the face. So I believe that both will crow and especially in the distribution area. We will be having more information from the, uh, use. Aside from the From that people using electricity being, um, taken into account in order to handle or managed the overall infrastructure and make sure that from generation toe demand centers Half a seamless with civilian system.
Great. Thanks, And maybe I could pass this also than to Mohammed. I mean in Abu Dhabi. What's the role that you're thinking about, for example, introducing a storage and other good stability? And also, maybe you can speak a little bit about the transmission and trade in the region? I mean, how is Abu Dhabi thinking about using the GCC interconnection, another kind of regional trade? To introduce the kind of good stability that we need. Thank you, friend. I'd like to also
in top off. But beyond the accent, and I completely agree with her The need off the super grades and the mini grits. That does, however, how you designed. That is depends on each regions. Needs. Let's put it this way. And I would, uh be yes, we way are
interconnected. Eat between where we are supplying power to Within the country toe many other cities. Andre also were interconnected with the SEC. I original credit, and I'm sure suffering the same thing in Europe where countries are interconnected, supplying each other. Technique from the technical point of view that the bigger the grade, the stronger it is on, Uh it is very important for security of supply, helping each city or each country helping each other.
Was the demand profile for each country might vary in certain cases. When it comes to the storage. We do have a battery storage in Abu Dhabi. It's a project that we commission a few years ago as a royal He has told about 100 megawatt battery storage, which is which we see the value off today. It is helping us in the story girl. Energy at night to supply energy where we needed the most used it in the morning, summer times, So that is something that we have experienced. We are open toe do more projects in the future, Hopefully Uh, depends on the comics and the values as we see Aziz, the technology boss so that when it comes to the many great something that we we like where we are very open to explore.
Used to deal with our policies are, um, dated quickly every few years to see to cope with the technologies, improvements in the countries and world white. So we usually talk to our suppliers and the partners. We want to hear from them. Uh, yes. So I think that is a trend that is happening worldwide.
Not only here in the way Thanks, Mohammed. And it certainly seems that sort of the business model of storage and many grids. Projects often focus around the ancillary services that they can deliver to the grid. Maybe Mike,
do you have a view on this? I mean, it seems that you know again, there has been sort of big increases and not only sort of storage and many grids but also just more distributed energy and the rise of peer to peer energy trade. That impact resilience and actually just the role of utilities. The changing role of utilities. What's here? What's your view on the changes from from Come from your company's point of you. Yeah. No, thank you. And thanks for those comments, You know the distribution side of this, You know, we're really close to our users where we've got these distributed resource is not, you know, traditionally generating resource Never as Mohammed points. I'm going to storage resource is so we have these Distributed energy resource is in the micro grid. So the advanced distribution management systems
that digitalization of all of this the demand, signaling, I think it is clearly important as we go forward. Clearly there's I think a lot of upgrading going on right now. A lot of investment going on on the digitalization of these systems. Um, we're seeing the interest in that We obviously have resiliency. Challenges you know, here in the United States side of things, California's witnessed a little bit of that, with her had their fires and some of the things going on in the physical world. But also you know, they've They've stepped up with a lot of renewable assets. They need
that. You know that inertia there was resiliency. Those dispatch double resource is to be able to come to when they need them. You know, sort of singing a lot. I think a lot of challenge a lot of focus a lot of interest, a lot of investment.
And in Mohammed reference strategies. I think we're seeing strategies emerged around all of these things. So I think the next 10 years or get very exciting times for everybody. That's It's in our electricity systems. The utilities, you know, they have all expressed how they're going to deal with their portfolio there mix of generating assets, other shifting the mix of generating assets towards More renewable fleet.
And you know, and then challenges around that as they go forward. They've got to make some investments around that you know, and different utilities around the world. They have to go to their users their customers to make sure they get Approvals to make those type of investment. So Philip, I think it's a really dynamic, dynamic area right now, and technology is going to serve a good purpose here, but there's a lot of policy pieces. There's a lot of
kind of the economic signaling pieces. They got to come to play as well. Thanks and maybe we can follow up. I'm starting to get a few questions in from the audience, which is fantastic, and I encourage the audience to use that app and continue to provide some questions. We have one from Robert Yeager of Has discussed the introduction of renewables can create grid instability such as non this non dispatch double frequency and inertia, issues what software and technology tools will be needed in the future.
To address those issues. Maybe Mike we can start with you and then see if the reviews from Beatrice and Mohammed Yeah. I think this is where, you know, you know, power generation facilities. Of course, we've got our control systems and they're connected to their great connects and they're working this, but this whole this advanced distribution.
Management systems I think or where we're going to really see some investments going on. I think be a tricks you know is say similarly, from their perspective on this. You know, really raising the ability Tonto View and manage all of these things. You some of these
terrific digital tools. I think the simulation told her to be really awesome. And how you plan these things, How you simulate them, and you? Test for them how you train your staff for them really Gonna be important to us as we go forward, and then you know that computes around what's going on. And yet the sum of the A. I told the expectations and the planet go on. So
Um, we're going to see. I think we're gonna see tremendous investment this area Philip, and I think it's I think it's really gonna change the nature away. The business is traditionally been run to where we're going here in the future.
Absolutely be a tricks to have something that on transmission. Yeah s so this is really a good question and also more about you also already outlined some off the investments and very good solutions. You integrating in your crates, first instance to stabilize them. Essentially, the technology is there the There is a record. Um, flexible. A C, uh, systems. Which we add into the great in order to handle the, uh, s symmetry between generation and demand thesis. Um, uh, semiconductor based technology, But we can also replace assimilate the takeaway from pathetic masses by using generators.
We call that a synchronized contends that, um, technology. Wasn't option and as Mike outlines that is on top of that always, uh, really opportunity and already existing, um, better great automation solutions, which early discovering a working against Thies potential, um, stresses, integrate. I, um um, yeah, shifting to Lote quickly, according, uh in accordance So from a technology point of view and from already investment point of view, it's all there And I would be really saying I do say we can handle this. Uh, sometimes near blackouts because of this, but so far it didn't help. Because the technology's at their great the technology is there and the investment is there. But as Mike mentioned Mike reference, for example, the California experience sometimes the regulation Struggles to keep up, Muhammed. You're sort of leading the regulatory
body inside the U. S. A. What are the lessons that you've learned from some of those front runners like in California and some of the sort of problem that they faced? How do you apply some of those to your own experience? I mean, Four from when I talk to my colleagues in the regulatory bodies around the world, and this is, I think, even The utility providers are the even manufacturers, something that we hold us have to talkto that what we do here today? Um The when you have whether the three new bills or any technology that any technology that could cause any Technical issues within the grades due to the rise of the specific technology, I think Ah, when it comes to this case than you, But we have to invest, even. I mean, we have some some technical solutions today. But I think I believe we can do better in the future by doing some investments toe in house how we control. The rise off the renewable investments in each country.
So when I look at I mean, here with Abby. We did not reach that stage. But we felt we when, when the nuclear deal when the nuclear power plant started coming on board this year. I mean, we've been studying similar concept over the past past. Let's say, 10 years when we announced the nuclear dear on how
we can cater for new technologies into the grid. And a lot of solutions with a lot of suppliers have been provided, and I believe we're not that far from finding solutions from these technical issues. We already have been addressing it in a wood, Dubbie. Mitt, but maybe depends on the system behavior worldwide each country. Maybe we need to have a technical solution that could be discussed with the technical team.
Clearly it's we're going to need sort of a mix of the technical solutions and also sort of a regulatory approach. Be atrix things. There seem to be changing quite fast. In Germany, You mentioned the changing generation mix, which is causing issues for grid stability on guy.
Think, for example, in Germany as well, You know, since we've seen The energy vendor starting about 10 years ago. Also a very changing role for nuclear. How do you see sort of the regulatory approach in Europe to those massive changes affecting transmission on your business? Um, very similar. It's Mohammed said first before we needed. We need also fast and efficient decision on on this in this area. We are currently supported in our change or transformation into a greener resiliency or too frequent and generation infrastructure. But that is not the end of it. We will also need
most likely isn't in the street given. As you said, the big growth situation we are facing. We will also need some freedom in, um, design or technician, technically a specification areas in order to scale. Ah, the investments are there the technologies are there the neediest there in order to manage. This is an industry together with our customers. We for sure we'll need more standardization toe, improve our productivity and Surf testament fast.
Because there is a from our perspective From my personal perspective. We don't have much time to piece a successful here. You have to have an impact on the overall structure Assed fastest possible to serve this you two goals. Ah, this is important, And that's why I believe the regulatory bodies also urgently needed to help us to find standards on a global scale that allows the industry's who increase the productivity by using them. Right, Mike and speaking about sort of technical standards and changes in the overall structure of the grid. That's something that an incoming Biden administration is going to be considering.
What do you see A sort of changes on the regulatory side that are coming down the pike on that will affect sort of the technical solutions and standards so from from your perspective You know, Philip actually here in the United States and actually around the world. I believe our policy makers or regulatory bodies. They're really engaging with technology companies like ourselves and Beatrice and others to really make sure they I understand what's possible what these technologies can do. I think we need to work together on getting some at scale, get treatments and scale getting some things at scale. Implementations out the world's we can all learn from them. You know, we can understand the technology challenges and how they fit but also the economics of how these things are all play out. I have to salute Mohammed's team
there in Abu Dhabi. I mean, Putting nuclear power until their mix. Big project really important, obviously provides a lot of that inertia. Yes, that they're going to need for their stability there. They've also put a lot of renewable center there mix they've
gotten at scale, one of the few, unfortunately, but we're going in the right direction at scale carbon capture systems in the world. That we've been able to watch the progress around that. So you know, I think a lot of the governments and government bodies are stepping forward Tol puss with some of these, you know, to get those practical.
Implementations done so we can all collectively learn from them at the same time and then move forward with the strategies we've got going on. So I think that's that. That's a very big force here than your future. The Biden administration, of course. Yesterday, rejoined the Paris or express her interested, rejoin the purse accord. You know, I think there's going to be a lot of focus on the technology pieces of this Um, from their point of view, and and so we'll see how it plays out.
They are reaching out to two industry they are reaching out to thinkers to academics say they are doing the outreach right now. To really try to incorporate all of these ideas. Philip is they were forward so and they're talking to their counterparts in Australia and Europe in Japan in different parts of the world as well. So I do see it is a team effort here globally for all of us that are participating to move this forward. Clearly it Z going to be a global and effort be a tricks. You mentioned
the same, you know, But we do. Talk about some places that are more advanced on that are thinking about advanced technologies and new sort of methods of good integration. But at the same time, you know there's also I think in a lot of emerging markets in the developing world. Also huge changes that are impacting energy access on day that also includes the move from traditional utilities to a much greater role, for example for off grid Renewable energy solar providers. For example, as we move into posts, covert recovery, what are some priorities for delivering energy access and the reliability of energy access? In some of these emerging markets. Maybe Muhammed if you have
some thoughts on this person that I'd love to hear from Beatrice of mine. I mean, If you're talking about the emerging markets, Sierra I think e think I believe that energy without power or water should be accessible by everybody. Regardless of the market applications wherever they are, so that's an essential need of any human being with us for human being or whether or whether with that fourth sport industries.
Make said that to me having Interconnectivity. Uh, great access to all customers wherever they are, even between countries even cross the continent's think that should be the aim for the future. Dish studies should be looked up on studied from economic and technical point of view. Where All the emerging markets can should have access to energy. That will only cause economy growth worldwide was the easier access that you have for energy, the better that it will be for the world economy.
And having this. Having said that, I think this is a target that the country's should look out in the future to make sure that energy is except accessible wherever they are. Thank you and Beatrice transmission development and expansion is happening rapidly in the developing world right now what? What is its role in delivering greater access? It's the backbone off the energy is more met, rightfully said, and thank you for saying this. I'm fully agreeing on what you said. It's a basic human right to have access to energy and we have to make sure together that this is a chief that we achieved this and in the developing market this you're saying that's not the case. We will not always be able to start with the pig. Watch innovation, facility and transmission line in order to spring the surprise or two cities. In a lot of cases, it's more centralized
in nature. So now that other things that are helping smaller entities to gain access to energy, and I think it is important to both, In essence, what we need what would help us from a supply a point of view. Certainly an energy road maps in this country's, which we happy to develop all of us. I think together with this country's First of all, have a plane on then. Off course, find the means to realize this oath is certainly happening in some areas, but it could be more Right? Well, I would say one, you know energies, obviously the backbone of our economies right And there's always such a delicate economic balance. It takes place for you know the cost of, you know, creating energy producing assets, distribution, transmission distribution assets, reaching reaching all of the places you want to reach.
And so, you know, I think that's why I think the developed world has his role around testing these things that scales who everybody understands how we can use the technologies and getting that cost ballots so that a lot of these countries the developing countries can You know, make confident investments. You know, they know that if they make the investments, they're going to get the resiliency they want. They're going to get the access and reach they want. Um, you know, uh, people are different spectrums in terms of their ability right now, maybe to bring on renewable assets, you know, from a cost standpoint or or integration standpoint. So we just gotta work. I like the road map point that Beatrice makes. I think we need to work with everybody Get that road map established with the right choices. Right economics, you know, and then support each other as we move forward down down the road. You know, we are seeing a lot of these
advanced distribution management projects, you know, in Europe in Australia in Asia in the United States. I'm hopeful that we get a little bit of experience over the next couple of years with these systems so that by the time you know, let's say a developing country is ready to make those investments We've we've got that proven for them so they can again make those confident choices those right choices for for their situations and to make the economics work and whatever they're whatever there Standing is so I am hopeful Philip. I think I think there's a way to get there again. That's kind of this collaborative effort around
the world to make it happen. Great and providing those kind of examples and for for for advanced distribution and for digitization on the grid for for then follow on countries to adopt and they were going to do that confidently. They're going to have to have trust, for example, in the cyber security of the network, which is obviously an increasing concern. 2020 was particularly active year for cyber security threats. I loved you from each of you. What are
some of the biggest priorities for cyber security at resilience on the great at the moment, maybe be a tricks? You thought thank you for giving me the chance to stop I would know about. It is clear a topic clearly and the specifically as we said, when we want to use data in order to further optimize our infrastructure and become smarter in terms of prediction off what is going to happen before it happens. We will have to also, um, further invest in in the morning to quit in parallel to digitalization. We too have off course already solutions, which, uh, also joined effort with our customers and other industry partners for cybersecurity chatter. We have a cyber security. Chata estimates energy, which we are using in our infrastructure.
But I do also think we are also focusing on the right thing. Their data and data control and protection is certainly something which we don't want to have anyone to interfere that has to be protected. And this therefore certainly Mama perspective for the time being in on premise. Infrastructural element in our creates any other datas, which we can use in order to simulate I've artificial intelligence of whatsoever can be better protected and Alice dangerous in case off being a text to interfere with the performance off to quit. Is this, uh as a fucking, um, um, a zit first step. Certainly the right thing to do. Um, What we also will see is, uh,
two is investing off course in technologies, which I'm not as exposed from a physical point of view to distract and that's that's computing. And I do agree for see that there will be a really a dramatic change in our automation technologies Integrate. We will have more intelligence in the product and feticide itself using its computing and also, if you wish, more decision, power and control power, thereby be risking the big control centers on their potential access to the cloud.
So much more automation and edge computing at site. Yes, that this small expect. If the future it's revolutionary so far with that.
Absolutely on DMA Hamad, For example, you Beatrice mentioned the importance of having a cybersecurity charter at the same time, so having guidelines that air that are that are provided both, you know, buy companies and also by governments of the U. S. A. Is one of the most connected countries in the world and and so is its energy system. How are you thinking about cyber security? I mean, when you talk about the energy sector Aziz Mike said earlier. It's the backbone of any economy. So you need to protect him. You need to invest your assets. And the way you do it is you need to Closely monitor unregulated, provide the right regulations and sent us make sure that each operator each company What's enough efforts to make sure to protect its assets from cyber security? Cyber attacks on what we do is always that we work with our partners.
Here locally and internationally, too. Make sure that we are in top off. Um On top of things basically went comes to technology of dates. So we are investing and we're encouraging or paraders, invest and making sure that they're up today. Encourage our suppliers with comes to equipment suppliers to make sure that the technologies that are installed in our Power plants that are as updated as possible. This is a something that you need to monitor all the time and keep a close eye zone and put the right regulations and policies.
To push the companies to invest more and hopefully protect your assets in the future. Thanks very much tonight and I understand we have a speaker. Our keynote speaker from Egypt is on the line. But Mike, please, I would love to hear at the end from you on this question of cybersecurity. Beatrice mentioned the grid edge, which is really where your company is very active. How are you considering some of
the security issues? The control system point of you. Yeah, You know, it's a person or most, you know, cybersecurity is almost becoming a miss number. It's It's cyber resilience and right. We're gonna I think we we found that the actors were trying to do their best to disrupt. I think our companies have learned a lot in these last few years.
I think they're learning to manage episodes keep them minimal from an impact standpoint. You know what we're trying to do is, you know ah, lot of our computing star control systems that things were in her assets. The things that are real time they're running high speed.
You know, there can't have late and see you gotta you gotta stay focused on the process. The edge. Compute piece of that will be those those important connections for, you know, getting the data we all want to have to To assess things and understand things, but the same time the cyber strategist have to be effectively built into. I think all of the products and all of the systems Mohammed, I'm sure witness that ask those questions. I think generally are utilities. They're spending more money now
and building their technical competence or building their expertise. You know they're getting the staff to the point where they could be much more effective in that. I would say that I think cyber hygiene. You know, there's kind of a cultural piece of this Philip that we see in our customers organizations I think of building that whole customer culture around. Cybermen is another really critical aspect or starting see progress there, Mohammed, you referenced keeping our systems up today. We are seeing behavioral change in that area.
Long time people had their systems and they're running and going great. And then all of a sudden now people want to stay current. Because the cyber is really driving the behavior. I think as we go forward, so, Philip, this is kind of some of the things that we're witnessing right now in the cyber war.
Thanks, Mike. So much. Um, we're going to wrap up this panel now, eh? So that we can move on quickly to our keynote speaker who's come from the Republic of Egypt s O. Mr. Mohammed. Hello, Al Zoabi. Doctor Beatrice Matter on Michael Train. It's been such a pleasure to have you here on our panel and for your participation. To the global energy summit. We've really enjoyed having you so thanks
so much. Now I'm going to pass it over to Ahmed, my Hannah's the first undersecretary of research and international cooperation. The Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Thanks very much.
Thank you. Thank you, Sam. Ah! Just the thing goes delegates, ladies and gentlemen, and first of all, I would like to convey the greetings and best wishes off Dr Mohammed Checker Maccabee. Egyptian Minister of electricity and the renewable energy He would like to attend this important meeting, but unfortunately due to sudden circumstances, he couldn't join you and this meeting. And on my own behalf of the government of Egypt, and indeed on my behalf, I would like to express my deep gratitude to all of you. Ladies and gentlemen, while our meeting today comes at a critical moment, with the entire World War lit, is struggling to address the challenge caused by co v 19 pandemic.
Asian action could be taken to ensure sustainable energy is n integral part of the global covered 19 response. Furthermore, the crisis underscore the need for reliable, sustainable and affordable energy access several barriers. Can block needed an investment in energy sector. This include lack of transparency, low level of involvement, involvement or private sector. Fragmented, legal and regulatory framework. Significant subsidy
unclear. Institutional A protector and some countries and the lack of regulatory incentives. Mikan ists. It is what I recognize that promoting a sound legal and regulatory framework is a must to increase the chance off energy and thrust infrastructure projects to receive investments. Ladies and gentlemen, let me briefly shared with you What is has done to address that matter and to carry it, enabling environment for energy transition in Egypt. You're in the last few years old tourist sector in Egypt has grown rapidly to meet the growing increased demand and to overcome their is the challenges security and the reliability of electricity supply has bean on the top priorities off the government government agenda.
Since 2014 Till now the total capacity is at the added to the great reaching more than Well. Winnie eight gigawatts after but after about deficit in 2014. And Shorty, approximately from 14 15% to 20% off the maximum Lord.
Currently we are focusing on the improvement and upgrading the transmission and distribution networks. Including extra high voltage substations control centers as well as smarty grades with investment reaches about $4 billion Our strategy is relying on transition and too smart egrets, which will contribute significantly to improve electricity efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, as well as reduce the investment required for infrastructure for electrical networks. Ladies and gentlemen, Egypt is rich in renewable energy resources, especially wind and solar. That qualified is to be one of the measures renewable energy producers. It is about sits up. 7650 kilometers squared you have been located
for implementing renewable energy projects was expected potential off. 90 gigawatt from when from renewable energy. Utilized this potential and integrated, sustainable energy strategy for 2035. Was approved in which the share over their renewable energy is the energy mix. Will reach 42% by two any certified Now we will achieve one year ahead off the schedule our first target by reaching 20% from the expected maximum big load. Achieved our ambitious vision in utilizing certainly over resources.
A lot off procedures have been taken to encourage private sector but salvation and the energy sector projects as a result. City to build international and the local investors were involved. To implement being banned Solar park projects, the largest one in the mini region, located in one place in a swan with total capacity 1465 megawatt. The brush it one of the best the project price worldwide by the only bank.
It is worse to mention that the latest price we got under the B O scheme are $2 sent kilowatt hour for solar energy and $3 sent for me. Ladies and gentlemen. There are many opportunities for investors and directed sector to participate in the original plan for the implementation of traditional projects, renewable energy projects, especially wind and solar. And the development of transmission and distribution knickers recently. We are working in different technologies that will help
Us in our energy transition way we with we with as waste to energy immobility, getting high division smart egrets, water, this termination using renewable energy and energy storage. Ladies and gentlemen. The severe unlikely event like Cove in 19, Mayo care and the near future, tow any country hence dispense abilities and need to be realized. And the steps need to be taken from Whatley. Which would really feel a progressive members. Until today, many utilities and operators have bean operating the sectors.
Incorporating that conventional mechanism and styles of management. As a pandemics situation has exposed the served weakness. It is high time policymakers, experts and all stakeholders recognizing the integration off model.
Technologist behavior and it is. Yes. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank thank you very much. It's very clear. I mean that Egypt as you underscored A Z making great strides in integrating reliable energy access with the kind of technological uh, solutions that we've been hearing about on this panel is we've heard the technology is there Investment is there And while the pandemic was a test, it's clear that it's offered new roads to eventually get to net zero electricity system. So thank you. Everyone for joining is outstanding discussion on building a more resilient system. And
now I'd like to hand it over to the trainer in. Are you a studio to introduce our next panel? It is Aetna. Bill. Thank you so much. I'm gonna great panel. You did just there really keeping bringing us some great information when it comes to the lessons learned, particularly about the electricity systems that
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