Ninth International Conference on Energy Research and Development (ICERD – 9)

November 17-19, 2026 | Kuwait University City, Kuwait

Ninth International Conference on Energy Research and Development (ICERD – 9)

November 17-19, 2026 | Kuwait University City, Kuwait

About the Conference
Co-organized by:

Organized by: Kuwait University (Platinum Sponsor), the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (Platinum Sponsor), and the Ministry of Electricity and Water and Renewable Energy (Gold Sponsor)

The objective of the conference is to optimize the utilization of basic energy resources in the major energy consuming sectors in the arid regions of the Arabian Peninsula.

"Kuwait University will host the 9th International Conference on Energy Research and Development (ICERD-9) in collaboration with local and international partners. It reinforces Kuwait's position as a global energy and continues a series held under the patronage of H.H. The Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, aligned with Kuwait Vision 2035.”

- Osama Alyousif, Chair of the Conference Organizing Committee

The conference related to the latest research and development in the field of energy is divided into four parts: oral presentations and discussions of accepted papers; lectures by distinguished invited speakers in the energy field; a panel discussion with experts and decision-makers to generate research ideas for sustainable energy use; and a showcase of products and innovations from energy companies in Kuwait and the Gulf region.

The topics will include but are not limited to:
- Energy Conversion and Management.
- Energy Conservation.
- Fuels and Alternatives.
- Energy Policy and Planning.
- Combined and Co-generation Energy Systems.
- Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Systems.
- Energy & Environmental Issues.
- Energy and Sustainable Development.
- Renewable Energy Technologies.
- Energy Storage.
- Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer and Fluid Dynamics.
- Thermodynamic Optimization and Exergy Analysis
- Plant and Facilities Mechanical Integrity
- Emerging Energy Technology
Keynotes

Name:
Sarah E. Maston, P.E., BCxP, LEED AP – ASHRAE President-Elect (2025–26)

Biography:
Sarah Maston brings over 25 years of expertise in mechanical and HVAC systems design, commissioning, and energy services. She currently serves as Director of Commissioning & Energy Services at Colliers Project Leaders in Boston. A registered Professional Engineer and LEED Accredited Professional, Maston has led projects across hospitals, laboratories, universities, and commercial spaces.

An active ASHRAE leader, Maston has served as treasurer, vice president, and director-at-large, and chaired key committees including Technology Council and Planning Committee. She is also a lecturer at the University of Wisconsin and a published contributor to industry journals. Maston earned her Mechanical Engineering degree with an Energy Systems concentration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Presentation Title:
Advancing Hydrogen Energy: Innovative Technologies and Sector Development for Sustainable Solutions

Name:
Prof.Dr. Ibrahim Dincer
Professor and Director, Ontario Tech. University, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Biography:
Ibrahim Dincer is a full professor of Mechanical Engineering and director of Clean Energy Research Laboratory at Ontario Tech. University and an adjunct professor at Yildiz Technical University in Istanbul, Turkiye. Renowned for his pioneering works in the area of sustainable energy technologies he has authored/co-authored many books and book chapters, along with many refereed journal and conference papers. Dr. Dincer has chaired many national and international conferences, symposia, workshops and technical meetings. Dr. Dincer has delivered many keynotes and invited lectures. Dr. Dincer is an active member of various international scientific organizations and societies, and serves as editor-in-chief, associate editor, regional editor, and editorial board member on various prestigious international journals. Dr. Dincer currently serves as President for National Hydrogen Association of Turkiye and Chair for Energy Working Group in Turkish Academy of Sciences. Dr. Dincer is a recipient of several research, teaching and service awards, including the Premier's research excellence award in Ontario, Canada. Over the past 25 years Dr. Dincer’s research and activities have been diverse and primarily focussed on sustainable energy solutions, sustainable communities and cities, district energy systems, green buildings, renewable energy technologies, energy storage technologies, hydrogen energy technologies, and waste to energy technologies. His group has developed various novel technologies for commercialization. He is known for his engineering education related talks as a committed educator.

Abstract
In a published perspective article entitled “COVID19 Pandemic: Closing Carbon Age, but Opening Hydrogen Age” back in May 2020, Prof. Dincer introduced the concept of hydrogen age formally and later extended it further in 2023 by calling it Hydrogen 1.0 as a new age. He has also published multiple articles on how to move forward in developing hydrogen ecosystem through hydrogen hubs, farms, villages, corridors, valleys, etc. and hence hydrogen sectors locally and globally. There are also critical requirements to consider in this regard, as innovation and technology development which are essential for every step of hydrogen ecosystem, including production, storage, transportation, distribution, refueling and utilization. Therefore, hydrogenization and decarbonization will determine how effectively a country can achieve net zero targets by 2050 and sustain economic development and wealth creation. This particular presentation will introduce innovation and technology dimensions and their roles in creating value in hydrogen ecosystem which will help sectoral development in right direction. The presentation will also discuss how to develop economic activities and create a unique hydrogen ecosystem by considering various domains, including education, energy, economy, environment, policy and strategy development, sustainability, etc. A clear focus will then be placed on what specific technologies will play a crucial role in local and global economies and what specific implementation strategies should then be developed.

Presentation Title:
The Evolving Governance of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan and Its Role in Europe’s Clean Energy Future

Name:
Dr. Ing Stephen Sammut

Biography:
Dr Ing Stephen Sammut read for a B.Eng.(Hons) degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Malta, graduating in 2000 and an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School. He also holds a Master of Science in Microelectronics and Nanoelectronics from the University of Malta, a Master of Science in Engineering from the Malta College of Arts Science and Technology (MCAST) as well as a graduate teaching certificate in vocational education. Stephen has also completed a PhD in Microelectronics from the University of Malta where he worked on the development of Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers which are optimised to operate in the pore solution of reinforced concrete structures.

He is warranted as an Electrical Engineer by the state of Malta, and is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Throughout his professional career he has worked in the fields of microelectronics, electrical power distribution, aviation, project management and engineering contracting. Currently Stephen is the Director of the Institute of Engineering and Transport of MCAST. The institute is made up of six departments namely the Mechanical Engineering department, Electrical/Electronics engineering department, the Building and Construction department, the Auto and Foundation department, the Aviation Maintenance centre, and the Maritime training centre. The Institute has around 200 full and part time academics as well as 1,300 full time students and offers around 60 full time courses ranging from MQF Level 1 to MQF Level 7. Lecturing activity is mostly in the fields of Electrical Technology, Chemical Processes, Finite Element Modelling and dissertation supervision both at undergraduate and masters levels. Dr Sammut conducts research in various fields including semiconductor manufacturing processes with STMicroelectronics, and the development of particle detectors with the European Organization for Nuclear Research(CERN). He is also the high level representative of Malta on the European strategic planning group.

Stephen Sammut has also authored various academic papers in peer reviewed journals and conferences.

Abstract
Europe’s transition toward a sustainable, climate-neutral energy system is accelerating, driven by the combined pressures of climate commitments, geopolitical realities, and the rapid evolution of clean-energy technologies. In this context, the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) continues to play a central role in shaping the continent’s long-term energy vision. As director of the Institute of Engineering and Transport at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) as well as representative of Malta on the High-Level Steering Group of the SET Plan governance structure, I will present insights into how the Plan is evolving to guide Europe’s research, innovation and industrial deployment efforts across the full spectrum of the energy system.

The Strategic Energy Technology Plan provides a cohesive framework through which Member States, industry leaders and research communities collaborate to advance priority technologies and system integration strategies. The keynote will outline how the SET Plan’s renewed governance model strengthens coordination, enhances strategic alignment, and reinforces Europe’s collective ability to develop and deploy clean energy solutions at scale. This includes efforts focused on renewable power generation, advanced energy storage systems, hydrogen technologies, nuclear safety, energy efficiency measures, digitalization of the energy system and sustainable industrial transformation.

The presentation will examine how the SET Plan fosters synergies across national and European initiatives, supports cross border collaboration and helps bridge the divide between research outcomes and industrial uptake. It will also consider the structural challenges that continue to shape Europe’s energy innovation landscape, including fragmented investment pathways, supply chain resilience and the need for skilled talent across emerging technology sectors.

By drawing on direct engagement with high level SET Plan processes and strategic discussions, the keynote will identify the priority actions required for Europe to maintain momentum toward a competitive, secure and climate neutral energy future. These insights will also be aligned with the objectives of ICERD-9, reinforcing how international collaboration and shared strategic frameworks can support energy optimization and sustainable development in regions facing high energy demand and climatic pressures.

Presentation Title:
Collaboration Intelligence: Humans and AI Together to Reach Net Zero Across Building Portfolios

Name:
Luke Leung

Biography:
Luke Leung is an ASHRAE and LEED Fellow. A Centennial Fellow of The Pennsylvania State University Architectural Engineering program, he has been deeply involved in ASHRAE’s mission—serving as Commercial Team Leader for the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force, member of the Task Force for Building Decarbonization Executive Committee, and committee member of the Center of Excellence for Building Decarbonization. Luke has also held the roles of ASHRAE Director-at-Large, Distinguished Lecturer, TC 9.12 on Tall Buildings Chair, Environmental Health Committee Chair, and 2025 Decarbonization Conference Chair. Beyond ASHRAE, he is a founding member of the MEP 2040 initiative, serves on the City of Chicago Decarbonization Task Force, advises the National Renewable Energy Laboratory IN² Incubator program, and co-chairs the BOMA Toronto Health Committee.

As Principal of the Sustainability Engineering Studio at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, Luke leads a firm-wide practice focused on high-performance and net-zero buildings. His portfolio includes iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa and four of the world’s top 20 tallest buildings, as well as master-planning initiatives like Xiong’an’s millennium net-zero city in China. Notable building projects include the Pertamina Tower (Net Zero Supertall), General Motors Global Headquarters, Beijing Finance Street, and the Canadian embassies of the US in Ottawa and Beijing. Luke has also contributed editorially to key industry publications, including the CTBUH guide Natural Ventilation in High-Rise Office Buildings and ASHRAE’s Design Guide for Tall, Supertall, Megatall Building Systems.

Abstract
In the race toward net-zero carbon, we often rely on siloed tools—either human expertise or artificial intelligence. But what if the key lies not in choosing one over the other, but in orchestrating both? This is the essence of Collaboration Intelligence (CI): a methodology that leverages the complementary strengths of human insight and AI capability to decarbonize buildings at portfolio scale. This presentation introduces the result of a real project where a five-step CI framework is applied across a major U.S. building portfolio. Step one, Building Data Collection, harnesses AI’s breadth and speed with human discernment to extract and structure data—both quantitative and hidden-in-plain-sight. In step two, Interviewing the Facility Team, human conversations bring forth tacit knowledge no sensor can detect. Step three, Benchmark and Analysis, engages AI to assess each building’s relative performance, identifying inefficiencies and emissions hotspots. In step four, Strategizing Emissions Reduction Measures, AI rapidly models and ranks interventions for maximum carbon impact. Finally, in step five, Developing the Net Zero Roadmap, human-led judgment transforms strategy into a tailored, feasible decarbonization path. CI doesn't just scale decarbonization—it transforms how we perceive buildings not as inert structures, but as evolving entities with unique trajectories toward sustainability. Join us to explore how this synergistic approach unlocked actionable results across one of the country’s largest building portfolios, and why the future of engineering lies in amplifying—not replacing—human intelligence with AI.

Presentation Title:
A Roadmap for Balanced Energy Transition in the GCC Region

Name:
Salem F. M. Alhajraf, MBA-PhD

Biography:
Salem Alhajraf is a visiting research scholar at the Center for Energy Studies and the Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and a research scientist at the Energy and Building Research Center at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). He serves as a visiting fellow at several world-leading think tanks, including the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University and the London School of Economics.

Alhajraf has more than 30 years of experience in the energy and environment studies domain, with an emphasis on GCC energy strategies, renewable energy, clean energy transition, and energy strategy studies. Between 2009 and 2021, he held several leading and managerial positions, including Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy and Minister of Public Housing of the State of Kuwait, Deputy Director General of the Kuwait Foundation for Advancement (KFAS), Executive Director of the Energy and Building Research Center, and Manager of the Innovative Renewable Energy Research Program at KISR. He was the founder and project manager of many pioneering renewable energy initiatives in Kuwait.

Alhajraf has many leading scientific and policy roles in national clean energy transition and strategy planning including the development of a Kuwait Energy Security Strategy, Kuwait Hydrogen Energy white paper. Alhajraf received his BSc, MSc and PhD degrees in mechanical engineering between 1993 and 2001 and MBA degree in 2007, from Kuwait University and Cranfield University in the UK.

His recent research interest focuses on the impact of clean energy transition on hydrocarbon-based economies and the three key pillars of energy transition including renewable energy, energy storage and carbon capture. He is a member of the International Association for Energy Economics, The Association of Energy Engineers and the Kuwait Society of Engineers.

Call for Abstracts
Papers are being sought for the Ninth International Conference on Energy Research and Development (ICERD – 9). The objective of the conference is to optimize the utilization of basic energy resources in the major energy consuming sectors in the arid regions of the Arabian Peninsula.

The scope of the conference is related to the latest research and development in the field of energy.

A call for abstracts (300 words in length) opens in July 2025. Abstracts are due October 31, 2025. If accepted, papers are due February 27, 2026. Authors of accepted papers are responsible for travel and registration. Hotel accommodation for three nights from the 15-18 of November of 2026 will be provided for authors presenting papers from outside Kuwait.

The conference schedule is as follows:
- Final Paper Acceptance: June 29, 2026
- PowerPoint Deadline September 30, 2026
Registration
Register Now

The early registration fee is KD 140 (US $ 450) and includes a reception, lunches, dinners, coffee breaks, banquet, tours, and the conference proceedings.
- Early registration ends October 16, 2026.
- The late registration fee is KD 180 (US $ 600). Late registration begins October 17, 2026.
- The student registration fee is KD 30 (US $ 100).
BECOME A Member
Conference Venue

ICERD-9 will be conducted at the newly built Sabah Al-Salem University City Kuwait University Conference Center, one of the largest educational campuses in the world.

The Conference Centre building is located in the North side of the Main Campus with a total plot area of 11,334 square meters. The Conference Centre is a collection of multiple auditorium and lecture spaces that are designed to serve the needs of the large conferences. It has a 1,200-seat auditorium, two 600-seat auditoriums, a flexible and divisible multipurpose hall and smaller breakout conference rooms for smaller groups. The building feature is a sculptural curved stairs connecting the three oval volumes.
Conference Committees

Scientific Committee

Walid Chakroun, Chair

Nesreene Ghaddar

Bjarne Olesen

M. H. Hosni

Dr. Ammar Bahman

Anuj Gupta

Organizing Committee

Osama Alyousif, Chair

Walid Chakroun

Bader Alshuraiaan

Shikha Ebrahim

Nawaf Aljuwayhel

Ammar Bahman

Fatouh Al-Ragom

Omar Alali

Ninth International Conference on Energy Research and Development (ICERD – 9)

November 17-19, 2026 | Kuwait University City, Kuwait

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Ninth International Conference on Energy Research and Development (ICERD – 9)

November 17-19, 2026 | Kuwait University City, Kuwait

Scientific Committee

Organizing Committee