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VP Technology Development, Capital Nature
Noam is vice president of business development and co-founder of Capital Nature, a renewable energy technologies investment firm. He is also the founder and chairman of the Eilat Eilot renewable energy international conference.
Between 2006 and 2010 Noam co-founded and managed the The Eilat Eilot Renewable Energy Initiative, creating a unique model for solving the energy crisis while generating substantial regional development.
Prior to this position Noam was engaged in business development and consulting in the field of Renewable Energy, pioneering bio-fuel production in Israel and promoting solar energy legislation in the Israeli Parliament. In the 90′ Noam founded and managed Cortext Ltd, an innovative software development company with leading clients in Israel and abroad. Noam holds a masters degree in environmental studies from Tel Aviv University, focusing on renewable energy. He is very familiar with the Israeli and global renewable energy technology market place and is a well-known speaker on those topics.
CEO, Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy
Dorit Davidovich Banet co-founded and managing the Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy Initiative for the last 12 years. The project demonstrates a model for solving the energy crisis by advancing all necessary components while generating substantial regional development. The activities include: Leading the process of construction the largest decentralized power station in Israel, which includes 17 solar power stations of various sizes that provide 70% of the electricity of the largest tourist city in Israel during the day time, building RE Education curriculum, leading the Establishment of R&D & innovation center including pilot projects, branding and advancing suitable regulation. The project has received wide recognition by the government and the public in Israel and globally.
Prior to this position Dorit was the founder and the head of the environment unit at the Eilot Regional Council and Eilat town for eight years. Among her activities were, supervising, advising and policy designer regarding urban planning, sewage, marine ecosystem, hazardous materials in industry, education, public awareness and realization of several unique environmental projects including sewage solutions with constructed wetlands in the kibbutzim in the region, massive recycling infrastructure in the whole region and creating an interface regarding open areas in the Arava and in the Eilat coastal region.
Dorit holds a master’s degree in Geomorphology from Ben-Gurion University, focusing on stratigraphic issues and earthquakes. She holds a BA in Geography from Haifa University
Chairman of the Israeli Electricity Authority (appointed 8/5/2016).
Held several positions at the Antitrust Authority since 2012, his last position being the Chief Economist and deputy Antitrust
Commissioner. In this role he managed a team of 35 economists in the areas of competition, regulation and government, and
represented the Antitrust Authority in main governmental committees regarding import, credit data and banking.
Previously, he served as vice president at Compass Lexecon in San Fransisco, and held several teaching positions at Stanford
University, the Open University and the Hebrew University.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Law and Economy from the Hebrew University, cum laude, is a certified attorney since 2003
and holds a doctorate in Economy from Stanford University, specializing in antitrust, industrial organization and applied microeconomics.
He is married with two children and lives in Herzliya.
Solar Energy Consultant, Advisor to Solcrypto & Co-founder of the ElectriCChain, Lead Affiliate to the SolarCoin Foundation
François graduated with a Masters in Finance (hons) from ICHEC Brussels Management School and is an expert in Solar Energy Business Development, having co-founded Belgium’s N°1 award-winning solar installer SunSwitch SA in 2007 at a time of little focus for Renewables outside of Germany, and acting as its Business Developer and Chief Strategist, and building up the Startup to over 90 employees and over 30MEur Turnover in under 30months and with as little as 45keur pocket capital. François made his first steps at Euronext NV and the Audit Firm and banking institution Lloyds and PwC in Luxemburg and has extensively traveled. François currently works as a solar consultant on projects in developing nations, advising towards several solar energy and blockchain projects. François also advises SolcryptoJV and Affiliates to the SolarCoin Foundation with the Digital Asset. ElectriCChain is a dot.org and global platform to help create momentum for the Clean Energy Transition.
Global Head of the Energy industry in the Corporate & Investment Banking Division of Intesa Sanpaolo
Since May 2017 Luca Matrone is the Global Head of the Energy industry in the Corporate & Investment Banking Division of Intesa Sanpaolo, with the coverage responsibility for both the Power & Utility and the Oil & Gas sectors. Previously he headed the Energy M&A team in Banca IMI, the investment bank of Intesa Sanpaolo group, leading the main M&A transactions completed by the bank. He joined Banca IMI in 2000. Luca graduated in business administration from Bocconi University in Milan.
Director of Global Utilities & Infrastructure and Sr. PE at Intel Corporation
Marty has been with Intel 24 years, integrating Energy Management and Energy Supply Policy responsibilities within a formal process. He and his staff are responsible for all utility supply issues, ensuring the capacity, price and reliability of Utility Supplies/Infrastructure to Intel facilities worldwide, as well as, supporting energy efficiency programs. Marty is responsible for evaluating/incorporating alternative energy options w/in Intel and establishing sustainable energy positions/strategies for renewable energy policy within Intel’s energy portfolio. He leads the utility site selection component of a corporate team that identifies and recommends potential new locations for Intel Facility/Manufacturing growth worldwide. Marty is Intel’s external energy representative in various private/public, State and Federal energy action groups and task forces. He is a member of various DOE Steering Committees and has sat on several state Governors’ energy committees. Previous to joining Intel, he spent 14 years in the electric utility industry in a variety of functions including: Operations, Rates, Environmental, Energy Supply/Engineering, Power Plant Operation and Key Account Management. In 2015, Marty was honored to be the recipient of the “Green Power Leader of the Year” by the Center for Resource Solutions at the annual US EPA/CSR REM event.
Director of Innovation, NREL
Richard joined NREL in 2011 and draws on his 20 plus years of international experience with small, medium, and large corporations across a broad range of industry sectors. He is recognized as proven driver of organizational performance and is the author of Results Ladder—a model for successful strategic planning and execution. Prior to joining NREL, Richard was the CEO/President of Warralong Group, a management consulting firm focused on organizational performance with a specific emphasis on how to grow successfully. Richard is a graduate of the University of New England (Australia), with a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics, and holds a Graduate Diploma of Business from the Phillip Institute of Technology (Australia).
PhD, physicists, Technical Services & R&D manager at PI Berlin AG
Lars is working in the PV industry since 1996 when he started his first PV module manufacturing start-up. Since then he is a specialist in PV module technology and manufacturing.
From 1999 until 2014 Lars was working for SOLON, one of the German PV pioneers and Germany´s very first stock-listed solar company. For 10 years he was the CTO, and under his leadership SOLON´s brand recognition for high-quality and innovative solar products got established in the market.
After SOLON, in 2014 Lars established a solar technology consulting firm, and 2015-2016 his entire team was working in PV module R&D and engineering for First Solar´s high-efficiency technology unit “Tetrasun”.
After First Solar Lars joined PI Berlin (which he co-founded in 2006) where he is leading the Technical Services department as well as R&D.
Additionally, to his regular positions he was serving on advisory committees for several PV start-ups in Europe and the US. Although being mostly recognized as a PV technology expert he has 20 years of experience in general management from the start-up phase to becoming a large stock-listed enterprise.
Lars studied physics at Technical University Berlin, and he earned his PhD for research on semiconductor materials for LEDs.
Director, Research And Development, Southern Company
Tracy West currently serves as director of research and development for Southern Company, America’s premier energy company. Southern Company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in four states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers in 11 states across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications.
In her role, West oversees a broad spectrum of research programs and projects, including the generation, environmental, power delivery and end-use sectors of Southern Company’s electric utility business and is developing a research program for the newly acquired natural gas subsidiary of the business.
Prior to joining Southern Company’s research and development organization in 2016, West was a general manager in environmental affairs for Southern Company’s Georgia Power subsidiary, overseeing air emission strategies, compliance monitoring and reporting, as well as the Georgia Power environmental laboratory, which provides services for the entire Southern Company system electric generating fleet.
West holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from Samford University. She currently serves on Georgia Tech’s Mechanical Engineering External Advisory Board and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Microgrid Steering Committee.
Coordinator, Power Africa
Andrew M. Herscowitz, a Minister Counselor in the Senior Foreign Service, has been the Coordinator of the U.S. Government’s Power Africa program since 2013. Power Africa now is the world’s largest partnership for development, with 160 public and private partners who have committed $54 billion to double access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Herscowitz served as USAID’s Mission Director in Ecuador from 2011 to 2013, and as Deputy Mission Director in Peru from 2009 to 2011.
After joining USAID in 2001, Herscowitz served as the lawyer for USAID’s Office of Development Credit, which has leveraged hundreds of millions of dollars in private sector funds through its Development Credit Authority loan guarantee program. He also worked with the USAID legal team that designed the original framework for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. He began his career in international development as a consultant with Probe International.
Following graduation from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Herscowitz spent a year as a Georgetown volunteer in Nicaragua. After earning a law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center, he worked for the law firms of Piper & Marbury (now DLA Piper) and Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison in Washington, D.C. While at Piper, he was named pro bono lawyer of the year for running a Boy Scouts of America Law Explorers program for inner-city youth and for successfully helping victims of political persecution obtain asylum in the United States.
In 2005, the Federal Bar Association recognized Herscowitz as one of the five most outstanding lawyers under the age of 35 in the U.S. Government. He has been named as one of the 60 Most Influential Figures in East and West African Power and one of the Top 50 Most Influential Figures in Southern Africa Power.
Climate Impact Investing and Development Finance Professional
Committed to private sector development through support and investment in ventures with high social and environmental impact, such as microfinance and clean energy energy investments. I have gained experience in this field in Europe, Africa, United States and Israel.
Specialties: Experienced in combining the business perspective with the social and environmental objectives. Financial and economic analysis, social impact study/evaluation, research, use of new media, and high communications skills.
Director, Global Public Affairs and Sustainability, Intel Corporation
Todd Brady is the Director of Global Public Affairs and Sustainability for Intel Corporation. In this role he leads state and local government affairs, media and community relations, corporate volunteerism and sustainability at the company’s major manufacturing and office locations around the globe. In addition to overseeing regulatory and community engagement strategies in the US, China, Southeast Asia, Israel, Ireland and Latin America, he directs Intel’s global initiatives to make Intel “smart & green” by leading corporate-wide sustainability programs such as climate, energy and water conservation, green design and the integration of internet of things (IoT) solutions to create smart and green offices, buildings and facilities of the future. During his 20+ years at Intel, Todd has represented the company publicly in numerous forums and led industry-wide initiatives in many national and international committees. He has authored more than 20 papers in scientific journals and conference proceedings on a variety of sustainability topics. In 2009, he was named by Scientific American as one of ten outstanding leaders involved in research, business or policy pursuits that have advanced science and technology. Todd holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Brigham Young University and a MS in Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Energy & Project Finance Practice, Partner
Orit combines her scientific, business and legal background, with an extensive global network of scientists and consultants in the clean tech and environment fields, to help her clients reach their commercial objectives.
Orit is an expert in all legal aspects of renewable energy projects (photovoltaic solar energy, wind, biogas, saving energy etc.), and in the development of global-wide projects, mainly in Africa, and in assessing risks. She is also a highly skilled mediator.
Orit regularly represents leading developers, investors, clean tech funds, entrepreneurs and other clients before the Ministry of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water, the Public Utility Authority, the Israel Land Authority and other authorities.
Uniquely, Orit has unrivalled knowledge and experience of photovoltaic solar energy projects, and is recognized as Israel’s leading expert in this field.
Vice President, Lockheed Martin Energy
Frank Armijo is Vice President, Lockheed Martin Energy, for Lockheed Martin Corporation. In this capacity, he is responsible for leading all program and financial performance, operations, growth strategy and new business capture for the Corporation’s energy portfolio, which includes energy management, advanced energy storage, smart grid, microgrid, bioenergy, nuclear control systems and tidal energy technologies.
Previously, Mr. Armijo was Vice President, Strategy and Business Development for the Civil line of business of Lockheed Martin Corporation’s Information Systems and Global Solutions business area. In that role, he was responsible for all aspects of new business capture, business growth strategy and customer relationship management for the line of business.
He previously served as Vice President, Energy Solutions, for Lockheed Martin Corporation’s Information Systems and Global Solutions business area. In that role, he was responsible for all aspects of the business area’s energy portfolio, which included federal energy programs, energy efficiency, energy management, utility solutions and smart grids.
Throughout his more than 25 year career, Mr. Armijo led several critical initiatives for Lockheed Martin Corporation, including his role as President and General Manager of the Mission Support Alliance, a Lockheed Martin joint venture, and his position as Director of Advanced Technology Solutions for Lockheed Martin’s Information Technology team.
Mr. Armijo graduated from Eastern Washington University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems. He also graduated from Columbia Basin College with an Applied Science Degree in Computer Science. During his career, Mr. Armijo has completed executive courses at MIT Sloan School of Management and Stanford University.
Mr. Armijo has served on the Washington Technology Center Board of Directors and was elected to two terms on the Washington Technology Industry Association. He served and led the Columbia Basin College Board of Trustees, was a founding board member of the Reading Foundation and co-founded the Hispanic Academic Achievers Program.
Principal Consultant – Energy, Frost & Sullivan
Jonathan is an experienced consultant with Frost & Sullivan’s Energy & Environment team. With involvement in well over 50 projects his experience stretches across the energy sector, however Jonathan places a primary focus on power and utilities related themes.
Aside from consulting Jonathan acts as a Director of Research for the Energy & Environment team who develops thought leadership on conventional thermal energy, renewables, battery energy storage and smart energy/grid.
Before joining Frost & Sullivan, Jonathan’s previous experience includes time at a political consultancy in London and for the NSW State Government in Australia. He has a Bachelor of Science in Politics & Law and in Economics from the University of Southampton, UK National and Master from the University of Sydney.
EU Joint Research Center (JRC)
Born on 1950, in Tel-Aviv, Israel
Academic Education
B.Sc in physics and mathematics from Tel-Aviv University, M.Sc. and Ph.D studies in Physics at Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel.
Minerva Fellowship at the Max-Planck-Institüt für Kernphisik, Heidelberg, Germany.
Postdoctoral position at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California.
Professional Experience
4 years at the Weizmann Institute in theoretical and experimental nuclear physics.
The scientific adviser to family-owned companies promoting innovative projects in the infrastructure and food industries.
20 years at the Propulsion Physics Laboratory, Soreq Nuclear Research Center, Israel. Expertise: Plasma physics, fluid dynamics and propulsion, pulsed electromagnetic devices. Lead numerous, national and international, scientific projects. Served as the first Israeli coordinator in the EU RDT programs.
7 Years as the Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Energy. Responsible for long-term national policy and technology development in energy, water, earth and marine sciences. Conduct academic and industrial R&D programs in Israel and on international level.
Former board member of Governors of the US-Israel Bi-national Science Foundation (BSF). Israeli representative to the EU-JRC board of governors – The European Union Joint Research Center.
2 years Sabbatical leave at the Institute of Energy, Transportation and Climate, EU-JRC, in Italy.
Main activities: Safety of off-shore oil and gas operations. Unconventional-hydrocarbon production prospects, their environmental and social impact, and, smart energy grid.
Has over 100 publications and holds 5 patents.
Present position
Professor Emeritus, an external consultant to the EU-JRC and as a consultant to technological entrepreneurship that consider to have a major impact on policy making.
Since 1985, Giovanni De Santi has been employed at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, where he developed his professional expertise by managing projects and groups of experts in the fields of energy, transport, mechanical/nuclear engineering, environmental science, and management.
In 2007, he was nominated as Director of the Institute for Energy of the JRC based both in Petten (The Netherlands) and Ispra (Italy). The Institute represents the reference centre of the European Commission for research in the energy field. It provides technical and scientific support for the conception, development and monitoring of community policies related to the production, security, safety and sustainability of energy. In particular the Institute focuses on nuclear reactor safety, renewable (solar) energy, hydrogen and fuel cells, energy system modelling and energy security.
In January 2011, the Institute for Energy was transformed into the Institute for Energy and Transport and its portfolio consequently expanded to include sustainable transport. As Director of the Institute, Dr. De Santi is responsible for the coordination and management of key energy and transport activities within the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission and in the frame of international co-operation between Europe and key stakeholders – both in the research and industrial sectors – from third countries. He is member of steering committees and governing boards of numerous European initiatives, such as the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan, the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Joint Technology Initiatives, European Technology Platforms (solar energy, biofuels, etc.), the U.S.- Europe Energy Council, as well as chairman of international Task Forces UNECE-TF for the standardisation of heavy duty transport emissions.
Giovanni De Santi is author of many peer reviewed publications in high level scientific journals and chairman of many international conferences.
Since 1st of July 2016, Giovanni De Santi became Director of the Direction I in charge of Competences and is based in Ispra.
Global strategic leader in the IoT smart energy domain
Elad Shaviv is the founder and CEO of NakiTech Ltd. Elad has wide experience as business executive in both large and small ICT companies. Elad is also the co-founder and CEO of the Israeli Smart Energy Association (ISEA), a national platform that brings together local and global Smart Energy players and stakeholders to share knowledge, drive initiatives, and build partnerships.
Before founding NakiTech, Elad held various business leadership roles at Cisco’s EMEA Headquarters for over 7 years, as the Head of Video Solutions Business for Europe, the Head of Cisco’s Security Business Practice for the European & Emerging Markets, and others.
Elad has over 20 years of executive experience in the IT, telecoms and communications industries and holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering and an MSc in Business Management.
Chairman of Israel Electric Corporation (IEC).
Served 32 years in the IDF, and retired as Commander of the Israeli Ground Forces. He also served as Chairman of the Israel Ports Company.
Ron-Tal holds an Executive MBA degree from Bar-Ilan University and a law degree (LLB) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
CEO Smart Energy Network
www.smartenergynetwork.org
Ragnvald Naero is today CEO of Smart Energy Network. In addition he works as an individual business consultant and is Senior Account Director at Gambit Hill+Knowlton and associated partner at Thema Consulting Group. From 2010 till July 2016 Ragnvald Naero was Director Business Development of Statkraft. Before that he worked as Executive Vice President Communication and Corporate Responsibility in the same company for 9 years. Statkraft is the largest Generator of Renewable Energy in Europe.
Electricity Regulatory Authority
Director General & Founder, Green Energy Association of Israel (GEA-IL)
Former Secretary, Global Solar Council (GSC)
Eitan Parnass is the founder & Director General of the Green Energy Association of Israel (formerly REEEAI), the main Renewables & Energy Efficiency advocacy organization in Israel.
Parnass is also a public pro-sustainability activist involved in numerous initiatives to promote sustainable economy in Israel and worldwide, including the formation of the Global Solar Council, launched at Paris COP21, where he served as Board Member & Secretary (2015-2017). Parnass has also served as Board Member to various NGOs including the Israel Sustainable Energy Society (ISES), Vice President of GIREC (Israel-Germany Renewable Energy Committee), member to the National Green Growth Round Table and is a notable speaker at the academy, industry, local & international conferences and seminars.
Eitan Parnass was born in Jerusalem (1971), he holds Honours law degree from the University of Warwick UK and LL.m law degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Deputy Executive Director for Business Development & BIRD Energy, BIRD Foundation
Located in Israel, Ms. Nakar-Vincent is responsible for initiating business matchmaking activities between Israeli and American companies, and strategic growth initiatives as well as promoting and managing the BIRD Energy program.
Serving in key positions both in Israel and the United States, Ms. Nakar-Vincent has extensive experience in building strategic alliances between Israeli and American companies, with strong knowledge and experience in U.S.-Israel policy and business relations.
From 2003 till September 2010, Ms. Nakar-Vincent served as East Coast and Midwest Representative of the BIRD Foundation in United States.
From 1997 to 2002, Ms. Nakar-Vincent was the Economic Consul to the Southeastern and Midwestern United States. In this position, Ms. Nakar strived to promote trade, as well as economic, technological and investment cooperation between Israel and the United States.
Prior to her appointment in the United States, Ms. Nakar-Vincent was the Director of the North American Department at the Foreign Trade Administration at the Ministry of Industry and Trade in Jerusalem. During this period, Ms. Nakar –Vincent directed the activity of Israel’s trade representatives in the United States and Canada, and coordinated the negotiations between Israel and Canada that led to the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Israel and Canada in July 1996.
From 1992 to 1994, Ms. Nakar-Vincent was a trader and an analyst in the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
Ms. Nakar-Vincent holds an MBA and a BA in Economics and Management, both from Tel Aviv University.
President of Mints Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions to Global Challenges and TA University Honorary Fellow.
Boris Mints holds a PhD in Engineering Sciences and a Reader in Advanced Mathematics. Since 2001, Mr. Mints has pursued various business projects. Boris Mints is a committed supporter of cultural and social projects, he is a founder of the Museum of Russian impressionism. Mr. Mints is Chairman of the Board of Patrons of the CER (the Conference of European Rabbis), Russian Jewish Congress Presiding Board Bureau Member, Member of the Executive Committee of the World Jewish Congress.
CEO, Capital Nature
Chairman, IATI Cleantech Committee
Avi is the CEO of Capital Nature, a green energy & smart transportation investment firm that is focused on technology oriented seed and early stage ventures. Capital nature has invested in more than 17 technologies since its inception, and Avi serves in the board of many of them.
Joining Capital Nature in 2012, Avi brought extensive experience managing and funding programs in the public sector, and vast experience in leadership of entrepreneurship and startup projects.
Previously, Avi was the Founder and Director of the Regional Development Center at the Ministry of Economy and delegate to the OECD LEED Executive Committee. Avi served as Legal Advisor to the Chief Scientist and director at the Governmental Start-Up Fund and the Israeli Industry Center for R&D.
Avi holds a LL.M. from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and EMPA from Syracuse University, NY.
Deputy CEO, SolarPower Europe
Coordinator, RE-Source Platform
Co-Chairman, Global Solar Council
Bruce Douglas has been working in renewable energy for 20 years. He is currently the Deputy CEO of SolarPower Europe, a member-led association based in Brussels representing over 200 organisations active along the whole solar value chain.
He is also the coordinator of the RE-Source Platform – the European alliance for corporate sourcing of renewable energy – and the Co-Chairman of the Global Solar Council (GSC), the representative body for the entire global solar PV sector at an international level, representing over 2000 solar companies around the world.
Previously he was Chief Operating Officer at WindEurope for 10 years, founding Secretary General of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and Managing Director of FLiDAR, an offshore wind company.
Special Envoy on Energy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel
Ron has served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1990. During his first period at the ministry he was personal assistance to the Director General and dealt mainly with the Oslo process and the economic peace with the Palestinians. In 1997 he started a long and interesting period of 15 years dealing with all aspect of the United Nations, as counselor for economic and social affairs at the Permanent Mission of Israel in New York, director of the UN Department at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, as Deputy Ambassador of Israel to the UN in Geneva and director of Specialized agencies at HQ. Later on he became the director for the OECD membership of Israel, Permanent Representative of Israel to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dahbi, and now as the Special Energy Envoy for the State of Israel in the MFA.