[The Vector] World Future Energy Summit January 17-20th, 2011

The exciting World Future Energy Summit (WFES) opens January 17^th and continues through January 20^th in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.  WFES is one of the few international events that brings together policy makers, government leaders, private industry, the financing sector and the public sector. The summit will include a Business Forum, specific days devoted to specific clean tech industries and innovation, and economic/analyst/government forums.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi, the summit is hosted by Masdar, a firm devoted to energy sustainability. More than 600 exhibitors, 33 international delegations and 25,000 visitors are expected. We recently wrote about Masdar and its graduate-level institute devoted to sustainability solutions.

“Financing has always been a pivotal step, and a challenging one, for renewable energy project innovators especially given recent economic conditions. This year we have assembled a stable of leading financiers, investors, advisors and market firms to provide delegates a well-rounded view…,” said Frederic Theux, head of Reed Exhibitions.

The Finance Forum will open with a talk by Fatih Birol, chief economist of the International Energy Agency (IEA). Financial and energy analysts from Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Deutsch Bank US, Siemens Venture Capital, Masdar Capital, National Energy Board of Canada and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization will speak on a special financing panel. Leaders from such companies as Alstom, Suntech Power, Vestas, Total, BP Alternative Energy, BASF Germany and Schneider Electric will speak on the business panel.

The United Nations Secretary General will speak at the opening general ceremony, with heads of state expected to speak at the ceremony from Sweden, Luxembourg, Germany, Pakistan, Iceland, Portugal and more.

President Obama supported the summit in a written statement, and Secretary of State Clinton visited recently, prior to the opening.  “By opening new markets and promoting trade,” said Obama, “we are creating new sales channels for U.S. products and services. The business relationships developed at this trade show will help increase economic growth and create jobs in the United States.”

A Business Forum will feature the head of GreenOrder USA speaking about how business can scale and deliver complex energy solutions for tomorrow. GreenOrder USA assists leading world companies, such as GE, Duke Energy and DuPont. Turman Semans, principal at GreenOrder, said, “There are great opportunities…to forge new kinds of business models and new types of public-private collaboration. Innovation like this requires deep change for most governments and companies, rewiring the way they connect internally as well as how they relate externally.

The Vector will follow up on the summit.