Training Seminars 'Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency as key drivers for Energy Transitions' - Part I - Day 1: Renewables & Solar Energy

Dr. Mustapha Taoumi, Clean Energy Key Expert, EU GCC Clean Energy Technology Network
Dr. Mustapha Taoumi is the Energy Technology Expert of the “EU GCC Clean Energy Technology Network” project, since January 2016.Dr. Taoumi has been leading Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency projects and technology deployment for over 30 years. He has worked with US AID, GIZ (Germany), JICA (Japan) and EU (DGXII) as Project and Programme Manager. He has conducted numerous feasibility and planning studies, building programs and has implemented projects on the ground. He assisted local institutions to develop strategic plans in sustainable energy. He managed numerous seminars and training workshops concerning the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency. Dr. Taoumi was also involved in several initiatives and projects with a regional scope particularly in MENA and Mediterranean regions including the Mediterranean Solar Plan (MSP). As a Regional Programme Officer for North Africa and the Middle East region (MENA) within the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the first global intergovernmental organisation dedicated to all renewables, Dr. Taoumi managed several projects and initiatives across MENA region including Renewables Readiness Assessment (RRA), assessment of local manufacturing potential in the Arab region and recently the Pan Arab Clean Energy initiative (PACE). Dr. Taoumi held several key positions including Secretary General and Interim Executive Director within the National Renewable Energy Centre (CDER) in Morocco - now transformed on a National dedicated Agency (ADEREE) as well as Executive Secretary of the Mediterranean Association of the National Agencies for Energy Conservation (MEDENER- Network). Before joining IRENA in 2010, he was nominated by the Ministry of Energy in Morocco as IRENA’s focal point and member of the IRENA’s Headquarters Selection Committee. Among other positions, Dr. Taoumi is an active member on several organisations, conferences and networks around the world including the MENAREC Conference International Steering Committee.​Dr. Taoumi holds a PhD in Electrochemistry from the Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble (INPG) in France and master's degrees in Electrochemical Engineering and Management Science, he is fluent in English, French, Spanish as well as Arabic.

Dr. Ana Rosa Lagunas, Director, CENER Photovoltaic Solar Energy Department & EU GCC Clean Energy Technology Network Convener
Dr. Lagunas has more than thirty years of working experience in various fields from materials related basic research, through high technology manufacturing in the semiconductors and microelectronic devices world. Last 17 years fully devoted to photovoltaic solar energy, specifically photovoltaic plants design and testing (cells, modules, installations) and PV cells process and materials development. After basic research time in CSIC and CIEMAT, she moved to USA for working in microelectronic technology development and production (Bell Laboratories/AT&T Microelectronics) holding later different positions from Process Engineering, Senior Technologist, Product Engineering Technical Manager and Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff, after the terminology of Bell Laboratories, in Microelectronics company (AT&T Microelectronics, Lucent Technologies-Bell Labs Innovations and Agere Systems) in Spain. From the technical side she has led multilateral projects around the world, USA, Europe, Asia, for the development and start in production of microelectronic CMOS devices, specifically leading the technology transfer between laboratories and fabrication lines with the end view on the customer. From the management side, she has wide experience on the business implications of the technological developments and capacity of team building. Since 2002 has been responsible for the definition and start-up of the photovoltaic Solar Energy Department of CENER, that she directs and where the activity is a combination of R&D projects, testing activities and technical consultancy on Photovoltaics, with partners and customers all throughout the world. Author of basic and applied research publications, speaker in technological forums and chairman of oral sessions, she also participates, among others, in committees for the development of PV Standards within the international community, in the Scientific Committee of the European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (EUPVSEC) and is member of the Executive Committee of the IEA PVPS.

Enrique González, Photovoltaic Solar Energy Strategy & Business Development Manager
Industrial Engineer by the University of Navarre (Spain). Enrique started his professional career at the Spanish automotive industry, where he held different positions during 7 years. In 2007 Enrique joined CENER, starting his career in the international renewable energy sector. He is devoted to the development of business strategies, cooperating both with public and private sector in order to boost renewable energies in the Middle East Region and also in some Latin-American and Caribbean countries. Enrique is also skilled in technology, regulation and financing of renewable energy projects, which gives him an overall and practical knowledge of the renewables sector. Moreover Enrique is responsible for the promotion, negotiation and sales of PV, Energy Storage and Smart Grids high added value services.