Author: Prof Lance Fung, R10 Director 2023-2024
On 3rd March 2023, the Forum on Energy Interconnection in Asia Pacific was organized by IEEE Asia-Pacific Region (R10), sponsored by the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO), and held at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Vietnam. The Forum is timely and serves as an example of practical steps to address the issue of climate change.
Forum on Energy Interconnection in the Asia Pacific, organized by IEEE R10 and sponsored by the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO) was held on 3rd March 2023, at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology in Vietnam.
The forum brought together distinguished speakers and experts to discuss practical steps to address the issue of climate change. The Chief Technology Officer of GEIDCO, Professor Liang Xuming, opened the meeting, followed by Professor Lance Fung, IEEE R10 Director, who welcomed the guests and delegates.
During the forum, Professor Rahman presented an overview of his focus on climate change and the six steps he proposed to combat it. These steps included energy efficiency, renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, electric vehicles, smart grids, and education and awareness. He emphasized that no single solution would work, and a multi-pronged approach was necessary, of which Global Energy Interconnection (GEI) was one.
The forum also featured addresses from prominent individuals such as Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary, of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Mr. Nguyen Tai Anh, Vice President of Vietnam Electricity (EVN), Prof. Nguyen Danh Thao, Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, and Prof. Liu Zehong, Executive Vice Chairman, GEIDCO.
The Research finding, “Opportunities and Outlook on Power Interconnection in the Asia-Pacific Region” was released by GEIDCO and the presentation is available from https://www.geidco.org.cn/html/qqnyhlw/zt20230303/亚太电力互联互通机遇与展望.pdf
The meeting continued with technical presentations from distinguished speakers and experts. These presentations were chaired by Mr. Xu Ming, Deputy Director General of the Cooperation Bureau of GEIDCO. The eminent speakers and experts who addressed the forum included Mr. Matthew Wittenstein, Chief of Energy Connectivity Section, Energy Division, UNESCAP, Prof. Chai Gaofeng, Deputy General Manager, State Grid Energy Research Institute Co., Ltd, Mr. K.S. Bandyopadhyay, Former Executive Director of National Thermal Power, Prof. Guo Qi, Deputy Director General of Electric Power Research Institute, China Southern Power Grid and Mr. Duan Daxi, Deputy Chief Engineer, China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Co., Ltd.
Mr. Deepak Mathur, IEEE R10 Director (2021-2022), delivered closing remarks summarizing the key points discussed during the forum. He expressed his gratitude to all the distinguished speakers, experts, and participants who contributed to the forum’s success.
In addition, Professor Rahman and leaders of IEEE held a meeting with officers of GEIDCO after the forum to discuss opportunities for future cooperation. This meeting aimed to identify potential collaborations between interested IEEE organizational units and individuals and GEIDCO to work together towards a better tomorrow.
The forum has set the tone for future cooperation between IEEE and GEIDCO, focusing on key issues such as climate change and sustainable energy. It is encouraging to see that the forum has provided a platform for stakeholders to come together and explore practical steps to address these critical issues.
