BOONE, N.C. - Dr. Sohad Abu-Elzait, assistant professor in the Renewable Energy Technology Program at Appalachian State University, delivered a keynote address at the 2nd Annual Global Summit on Renewable and Sustainable Energy (AGSREN2026) held in Paris, France, May 18-20, 2026. The international conference brought together researchers, educators, industry professionals, and policymakers from around the world to discuss emerging technologies and innovations shaping the future of sustainable energy.
In her keynote presentation, “Smart Microgrids for a Resilient and Sustainable Energy Future," Dr. Abu-Elzait outlined how artificial intelligence, advanced controls, renewable energy systems, and energy storage technologies are transforming modern power systems into more resilient, intelligent, and sustainable networks.
In her keynote address, Dr. Abu-Elzait explored how smart microgrids are revolutionizing the operation of electric power systems through the integration of renewable energy resources, battery energy storage, real-time sensing, and AI-driven control and optimization strategies. She discussed how artificial intelligence can improve energy management by forecasting renewable generation, predicting load demand, optimizing battery dispatch, detecting faults, and enabling autonomous decision-making in complex and dynamic energy environments.
“Artificial intelligence is becoming a key enabler of next-generation energy systems,” said Dr. Abu-Elzait. “When combined with renewable energy resources, energy storage, and advanced communications, AI-powered microgrids can make real-time decisions that improve efficiency, reliability, resilience, and sustainability.”
The keynote also highlighted ongoing research and educational initiatives at Appalachian State University involving smart microgrids, renewable energy integration, and intelligent energy management systems. These efforts provide students with hands-on experiences in emerging technologies while supporting research aimed at developing more adaptive, secure, and sustainable energy infrastructures.
The keynote provided an opportunity to showcase innovative research being conducted at Appalachian State University while fostering collaboration with global leaders working to accelerate the transition to a cleaner and more resilient energy future.
Sohad at 2026 Energy Summit
Sohad at 2026 Energy Summit