SIEW TechTable

Welcome Remarks

Eugene Toh, Assistant Chief Executive, Energy Market Authority

Presentations on Grids

This session explores the technologies shaping the grid of tomorrow and enabling more connected, resilient and intelligent energy systems. Speakers will showcase advancements in grid-enhancing technologies, advanced transmission and distribution systems, grid digitalisation, energy storage integration, and power system flexibility solutions. Key focus areas include modernising electricity networks to support growing renewable energy deployment, improving system flexibility and reliability, and strengthening regional grid interconnectivity to support a secure and sustainable energy future.

14:05 - 14:25 hrs

Presented By:

The Future of Grid Management, Powered by AI

Speaker:

• Kusum Verma, Director of Infrastructure Segments for APAC at Schneider Electric
• Moderator: Tim Rockell, Managing Director, Energy Strat Asia

How the grid enables AI — and how intelligence can help the grid manage the complexity that AI and electrification are creating.

“AI needs the grid. And increasingly, the grid needs intelligence.”

Technology & Digital for Tomorrow's Power Grids

Speaker:

• Akilur Rahman, Market Innovation Lead - South Asia & Chief Technology Officer – India, Hitachi Energy
• Moderator: Tim Rockell, Managing Director, Energy Strat Asia

The rapid energy transition, rise of distributed energy resources, and deep electrification are making power systems and grids increasingly complex. Managing this shift requires advanced control, protection, and prediction capabilities. Core power electronics technologies—such as HVDC, STATCOM, and power conversion systems for solar, EV, BESS, hydrogen, and data centres—are vital to preparing grids for the future. Additionally, digitalisation and AI will introduce greater predictability while strengthening protection and control frameworks. Complementing these advancements, sustainable solutions like SF6-free switchgear will actively reduce the carbon footprint of grid operations and maintenance. This session will present and explore these critical technologies to outline how we can effectively shape the future grid.

Future-Proofing the Grid: from Smart Operations to Intelligent Transformation

Speaker:

• Dr Kathiresan Ramprakash, Programme Director - New Horizons, ERI@N-Energy Centre of Innovation Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N)
• Moderator: Tim Rockell, Managing Director, Energy Strat Asia

The next frontier of grid transformation lies not merely in adopting smarter technologies, but in integrating them into a cohesive, adaptive and resilient energy ecosystem.

Looking ahead, the convergence of energy and digital technologies will create new opportunities to rethink how electricity networks are planned, operated and optimised. Drawing on research and innovation at the Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), the presentation offers a forward-looking perspective on transforming today's smart grid operations into an integrated, future-ready energy system capable of accommodating to evolving energy demands and technological disruptions.

Real-time visibility, interoperability, predictive capabilities and flexibility are becoming fundamental to grid management. The presentation highlights how Emerging technologies and advanced computational capabilities can enable seamless coordination across grid infrastructure, distributed energy resources, energy consumers and electricity markets, unlocking greater operational efficiency, network capacity and system resilience.

Presentations on AI/Data Centres

This session examines how hyperscalers are reshaping energy strategies through technology ecosystems. Speakers will explore AI-driven energy optimisation, renewable procurement at scale, advanced cooling innovations, and nuclear-powered data centres to meet surging compute demands. Key focus areas include cross-sector partnerships for grid stability, and policy frameworks enabling hyperscaler investments in clean energy transition.

Beyond the Sandbox: Turning AI Potential into Real-World Outcomes

Speaker:

• Jim Bullock, Managing Director, Power Utilities & Energy Transition, Asia, Microsoft
• Moderator: Gurbuz Gonul, Director, Country Engagement & Partnerships, International Renewable Energy Agency

The next frontier for AI in utilities is not about finding more use-cases. It is about operationalising them. Explore the data, technology, and organization foundations required to take AI from promising trials and experiments to scalable solutions that drive quantifiable business outcomes.

Sovereign AI: Powering the Future of Energy and Utilities

Speaker:

• Johnny Nguyen, Energy & Utilities CTO, Cohere Inc
• Moderator: Gurbuz Gonul, Director, Country Engagement & Partnerships, International Renewable Energy Agency

This presentation would focus on how sovereign AI enables energy and utilities companies to deploy AI solutions with full control over their data and infrastructure, addressing critical security and compliance requirements in the sector. Key points would include:

• The Sovereign AI Imperative: Why energy and utilities need AI that operates within their own security boundaries
• Use Cases: Predictive maintenance, grid optimization, demand forecasting, and cybersecurity applications
• Technical Advantages: Air-gapped deployment, on-premises control, and compliance with regulatory requirements
• Cohere's Approach: Enterprise-grade models designed for secure, sovereign environments
• Real-World Impact: How sovereign AI can improve operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance grid resilience
• Future Outlook: The evolution of sovereign AI in critical infrastructure and what's next for the energy sector

Data Centres and Sustainability - Decarbonising Backup Fuels for Power Generation & Data Centres

Speaker:

• Jukka Siukosaari, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Geopolitics, Neste 
• Moderator: Gurbuz Gonul, Director, Country Engagement & Partnerships, International Renewable Energy Agency

In an era where the urgency of climate action has never been more pressing, industries worldwide face the task of reducing their carbon footprint while maintaining operational efficiency and cost effectiveness. While Neste MY Renewable Diesel™ is best known for its use as a road transportation fuel around the world, its versatility has led to its use across diverse sectors, each with its own success story in the energy transition.

One of the newest sectors to improve their sustainability by switching to renewable diesel are data centre providers. Renewable Diesel is a practical step to decarbonise critical infrastructure, and provides an immediately deployable lever for reducing carbon emissions during operations and maintaining critical operations during grid outages. Made from 100% renewable raw materials, it is a readily available drop-in fuel that can significantly reduce emissions without requiring any equipment upgrades or modifications to existing generation systems. Furthermore, Neste's renewable diesel is ideal for backup power as it can be stored for longer periods without impact on product quality, while maintaining reliable start-up and cold-temperature performance. This presentation will highlight examples around the world of how the deployment of Neste renewable diesel in data centre operations has helped partners in achieving their sustainability goals, while at the same time supporting the industry’s efforts to accelerate the use of renewable fuels.

Session 3 – Presentations on Solar and Battery Storage Solutions

This session explores innovations in solar power and battery storage to drive the energy transition. Speakers will discuss scalable hybrid solutions, cost reductions in lithium-ion and emerging solid-state technologies, grid integration challenges, policy incentives for deployment, and battery storage's critical role in supporting solar intermittency. Key focus areas include optimising dispatchable solar for peak demand and long-duration storage to enhance reliability in ASEAN's decarbonisation goals.

Presentation on Solar

Speaker:

• Henry Liang, Technical Head of Southeast Asia, CATL
• Moderator: Gurbuz Gonul, Director, Country Engagement & Partnerships, International Renewable Energy Agency

Unlocking New Urban Solar Markets with Perovskite BIPV for ASEAN's Energy Transition

Speaker:

• Yushi Nakamura, Head of Business Development, Perovskite PV Business Promotion Office, Panasonic Holdings Corporation
• Moderator: Gurbuz Gonul, Director, Country Engagement & Partnerships, International Renewable Energy Agency

Japan's pursuit of decarbonization, energy security, and urban sustainability is creating opportunities for new energy solutions that go beyond conventional solar deployment. Among these, perovskite photovoltaic technology has the potential to unlock previously untapped surfaces for power generation, including lightweight rooftops, building facades, and other urban spaces where traditional silicon solar panels face practical limitations.

This presentation will introduce Panasonic's vision for commercializing perovskite Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), starting in Japan and expanding to global markets. By transforming buildings into energy-generating assets, perovskite BIPV can create entirely new solar markets while supporting the decarbonization of cities and the built environment.

Beyond technology development, Panasonic will share its perspective on building a sustainable business ecosystem that connects technology providers, construction and real estate stakeholders, utilities, and policymakers. The session will explore how collaboration across industries can accelerate market creation and large-scale deployment.

Drawing on Japan's experience as an early market for perovskite PV, Panasonic will discuss the potential for future adoption across ASEAN, where rapid urbanization, growing electricity demand, and ambitious sustainability goals present significant opportunities for next-generation solar solutions. The presentation will highlight how perovskite BIPV can complement existing renewable energy technologies and contribute to a more resilient, distributed, and sustainable energy future.

16:10 – 16:25 hrs

From 80% to 100%, Batteries for Demand Side: 24/7 Clean Power for Data Centres

• Dan Tennakoon, Founder & CEO, RE24
• Moderator: Gurbuz Gonul, Director, Country Engagement & Partnerships, International Renewable Energy Agency

This session looks at battery storage from the demand side. In grids where connection capacity is tight and renewables are scaling, a battery storage's value is not only to store excess solar. It is to let large energy users do more with the grid they already have. Speakers will show how large energy users like data centres use behind the meter batteries and flexible demand to shave peak import. This lets a site serve more peak load, without increasing its grid connection or waiting for reinforcement. The same flexibility lowers cost and carbon. It cuts import when power is most expensive and the grid is at its dirtiest, and charges when power is cheaper and cleaner. Over time, this demand flexibility is also the foundation for 24/7, hourly matched clean power. Key focus areas include peak demand optimisation to unlock capacity on a constrained grid, cost and carbon intensity reduction and move toward 24/7 hourly matched clear power through intelligent dispatch.

Moderator for Q&A for Solar and Battery Storage Solutions

Gurbuz Gonul, Director, Country Engagement & Partnerships IRENA

Session 4 – Presentations on SMRs & Advanced Nuclear

This session dives into small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced nuclear technologies as scalable solutions for decarbonisation. Speakers will cover factory-built modular designs, next-gen coolants, fuel recycling to minimise waste, and enhanced safety features for rapid deployment. Key focus areas include grid flexibility for renewables integration, cost reductions through serial production, regulatory pathways, and commercial pathways that enhance overall energy security and resilience for industrial off-takers.

U.S. SMRs and Advanced Nuclear Technologies

• Ted Jones, Senior Director for National Security and International Programmes, Nuclear Energy Institute
• Moderator: Dr Jennifer Gordon, Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council

This discussion will explore the latest developments across the U.S. small modular reactor and advanced nuclear technology landscape, including the range of designs under development and how continued innovation is expanding the options available to meet different energy needs and deployment conditions. The conversation will consider how these technologies are evolving, the capabilities they can offer, and progress toward commercialization and deployment. It will also place these innovations within the broader U.S. nuclear industry ecosystem, highlighting the experience, supply chain, and long-term industry partnerships that can support countries as they evaluate and ultimately deploy nuclear energy.

16:40 – 16:55 hrs

Presented by:

From Renaissance to Revolution: how SMRs are powering global data center growth

• Miriam D’Onofrio, Senior Director, International Market Development and Policy, X-energy
• Moderator: Dr Jennifer Gordon, Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council

All over the world, the AI revolution is changing the landscape for electricity demand in an already constrained global energy market. At the same time, the civil nuclear sector is experiencing a renaissance, as small modular reactor (SMR) technologies are rapidly evolving and starting to launch first-of-a-kind commercial projects. The partnership between clean, reliable nuclear generation and energy-intensive data center customers seems obvious, but how are companies in both sectors actually coming together to structure and execute projects? Amazon’s partnership with X-energy to deploy at least five gigawatts of new nuclear generation in the United States offers a model for the world. Join for a closer look at this relationship and how it could serve as an example for the Asia-Pacific.

Presentations on SMRs & Advanced Nuclear

• James Walker, Chief Executive Officer, NANO Nuclear Energy
• Moderator: Dr Jennifer Gordon, Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council

This discussion will explore the latest developments across the U.S. small modular reactor and advanced nuclear technology landscape, including the range of designs under development and how continued innovation is expanding the options available to meet different energy needs and deployment conditions. The conversation will consider how these technologies are evolving, the capabilities they can offer, and progress toward commercialization and deployment. It will also place these innovations within the broader U.S. nuclear industry ecosystem, highlighting the experience, supply chain, and long-term industry partnerships that can support countr`ies as they evaluate and ultimately deploy nuclear energy.