Renewable Energy as an Eonomic Driver II
OVERVIEW
The multi-region project “Renewable Energy as an Economic Driver II” was held in New Orleans from November 19-23, 2024. The delegation included experts in renewable energy from government and the private sector exploring how sustainable energy development can support global political stability, economic opportunities, and prosperity.
PARTICIPANTS
Mr. Arber AVRAMI
CEO, Albgaz SH.A, Tirana
Ms. Mariana Isabel MERLO BLAZQUEZ
Regulatory Advisor, National Directorate for Renewable Energy
Ms. Anabella Florencia RUIZ
Project Coordinator-Organización Latinoamericana de Energía, OLADE
Mr. Stephen DAWSON
Executive Director, Resources and Infrastructure Agreements, Department of Jobs Tourism, Science and Innovation
Mr. Tural MAHARRAMOV
Environmental manager / Head of Environmental department, SOCAR Downstream Management LLC / Heydar Aliyev Oil Refinery
Mr. Vedran LAKIC
B-H Federation Minister of Energy, Mining, and Industry, FB-H Government
Mr. Carlos HERRERA
vice ceo, Hydroelectric Executive of the Lempa River (CEL)
Mr. Kristoffer Jansson
EnergyVaasa Communications and Brand Manager
Ms. Terry Ruizhi WANG
Senior Vice President, Peace Field Limited
Dr. Andrea KONDOROSI
Head of Electricity Department, Ministry of Energy
Ms. Chiara DI MAMBRO
Head of decarbonization policy, ECCO Think Tank
Ms. Syrga ORUNBAEVA
Coordinator, Kyrgyz Association on Safety of Large Dams
Mr. Mohd Fahmi BIN MOHAMAD ISMAIL
Head, Enterprise Strategic Advisory, Group Strategic Relations & Communication, PETRONAS
Mr. Ahmed Ali
Director General, Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy
Mr. Victor BINZARI
Acting CEO, Energocom
Mr. Ion MUNTEAN
Director, National Center for Sustainable Energy
Mr. Bojan DJORDAN
Executive Manager of the Generation Department at the Montenegrin Electrical Enterprise
Mr. Abdelilah ROCHD
Head of Smart Grids Group, Green Energy Park (IRESEN/UM6P)
Mr. Terkuma Ephraim IVANDE
Chief Operating Officer, Prado Power Limited
Ms. Kris CRISMUNDO
Senior Business Reporter, Philippine News Agency
Mr. Michal LALIK
Head of Regulation and Network Development, Eustream
Ms. Katarina TRSTENJAK
Expert Associate – Ph.D. student, Jozef Stefan Institute (JSI), Energy Efficiency Centre
ACTIVITIES
Greg Delaune, co-founder and Managing Director of Deep Blue Institute, discussed his organization’s many projects in research and development of green energy technologies, industrial & economic diversification of biofuels, and environmental protection and restoration.
The group also visited the Beach at UNO, a research park on the University of New Orleans campus that supports academic, governmental, and entrepreneurial endeavors in science and technology innovation. Nina Balan, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Beach, discussed the many projects in renewable energy that are ongoing at the research park, including the Wind Scholars Program, the Louisiana Wind Energy Hub, and the New Energy Center for the U.S., which are working to develop offshore wind and decarbonize the South Louisiana industrial corridor. Nina also highlighted UNO's educational programs, such as the Wind Scholars Program, that provide support and train students for jobs in Louisiana's wind energy sector.
The delegation attended a community meeting of Together New Orleans, a non-partisan coalition of interfaith and nonprofit organizations that addresses the social and economic needs of New Orleans communities. Their Community Lighthouse Project has created a network of 85 congregations and community institutions across New Orleans with commercial-scale solar power and backup battery capacity, to serve as resiliency hubs during power outages and natural disasters.
