According to the public relations of Qom University of Technology, the twelfth conference on renewable energies and distributed generation in Iran was held at the International Conferences Center of Qom Municipality with the presence of prominent scientific and industrial figures. This conference was hosted by Qom University of Technology and in collaboration with Dr. Rezaei Nour, President of Qom University of Technology, Dr. Seyyed Hashem Awrayi, full professor of the Power Department at Sharif University of Technology and President of the Union of Scientific Energy Associations of Iran, Engineer Shojai, Deputy for Research and Innovation at the Energy Resources Development Organization, and Dr. Sarami, Head of Renewable Energy Industry at the Energy Resources Development Organization, along with special guests including Dr. Saqian Nejad, the esteemed Mayor of Qom, and Dr. Amir Abdollah, Deputy for Research and Technology at Mapna Group.
Dr. Rezaei Nour, in his speech, welcomed the guests and explained the background of the 11 previous sessions of this conference, stating, "We have endeavored to host this scientific event in its twelfth session. This conference covers various fields, including new energies, renewable energies, artificial intelligence technologies, as well as technical, environmental studies, and clean energies, along with intelligent grids and microgrids."
He emphasized the necessity of focusing on the expansion of renewable energies considering environmental limitations and added, "Considering the trend of energy expansion, it is essential to move towards clean energies, and in this regard, both government and private sectors must have a share in renewable energy." He also appreciated Engineer Shojai for the support of the organization by presenting a certificate of appreciation and a statue from the university.
Dr. Hassan Zadeh, the scientific secretary of the conference, also said during the ceremony: "The twelfth conference on renewable energies is held with the aim of promoting clean and sustainable energy, and this event is an opportunity for the exchange of ideas and scientific collaborations among universities and industries. The number of papers received this year has grown significantly, from 170 papers in previous sessions to 208 papers in this session."
Furthermore, Dr. Awrayi, full professor at Sharif University of Technology, pointed out the onset of the energy crisis in the world, stating that if serious actions are not taken, the world will be close to the sixth extinction. He clarified that fossil fuels are the main cause of climate change and, to save the planet, we must quickly transition to renewable energy in place of fossil fuels. Regarding energy transition, he mentioned that currently, four crucial issues are being addressed: increasing energy penetration, utilizing technology to enhance energy consumption, renewable energies, and decarbonization.
Dr. Awrayi also noted that per capita energy consumption is not an accurate indicator, and we should use the "energy intensity" metric, which reflects gross domestic product (GDP) more precisely. He added that while Iran has performed well in energy production, it still faces challenges in consumption management.
Dr. Heydarian, the executive secretary of the conference, concluded by referencing the conference's history, stating, "The first session of this conference was held in 2009 at Birjand University, and now in the twelfth session, Qom University of Technology is hosting this event. This year, we received 208 papers, about 80 percent of which were in English, and after a thorough review, 104 papers were accepted."
This conference, attended by approximately 150 participants from universities, educational institutions, research centers, and various industries, provided a valuable opportunity for discussions and examination of the challenges and solutions related to renewable energies in Iran.
In conclusion, on behalf of Dr. Ghorbani, Deputy of the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Support for Science, Research and Technology, Dr. Rezaei Nour was recognized as an active university in the scientific jihad initiative.
