Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Background
The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Research Group (REEE) is dedicated to pioneering cutting-edge research in the field of Sustainable and Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Renewable and Alternative Fuels, Energy Monitoring, Control, and Management. The group's expertise extends to advanced modeling and simulation of energy systems, sustainable materials development, the intersection of energy and water resources, and innovative waste-to-energy conversion technologies. Furthermore, the group delves deeply into sustainability, energy planning, and strategies for mitigating climate change. REEE functions as a dynamic hub, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration among academia, industry, and government entities. This collaboration is a key component to address real-world energy challenges. The ultimate goal of REEE is not just to advance academic knowledge, but to apply its research outcomes to address tangible, real-world global energy dilemmas, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.

Goals & Objectives
 To provide advanced research and innovation in:

• Renewable Energy:  Solar Photovoltaic, Concentrated Solar Power, Wind, Bioenergy, and Geothermal 
• Energy Efficiency: Building, Industry and Transportation 
• Renewable and Alternative Fuels: Biogas, Biodiesel, Syngas, and Hydrogen
• Energy Management/ Sustainability / Energy Systems Modeling and Simulation

To provide training, consultancy and community services:

• Provide specialized training in the energy field
• Provide specialized training in renewable and sustainable energy
• Provide specialized energy consultancy services
• Support concerned governmental agencies and organizations

To disseminate knowledge and pursue community outreach:

• Organize professional courses, workshops, and conferences
• Provide relevant publishing and research findings to community.

 
History

The evolution of the "Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency" research line began as an integral part of the "Sustainable Energy Development" research group. This influential group was founded in 2015 within the Research Institute of Science and Engineering (RISE) under the esteemed leadership of Prof. Chaouki Ghenai. Over time, the research line grew in scope and significance and became an independent research stream. Now, it operates under the umbrella of the Renewable Energy and Power Systems Research Center at RISE, with Prof. Ibrahim El-Sharkawy leading the supervision of the group which consists of 12 dedicated professionals. This team comprises a dynamic mix of academic experts, including Professors, Associate Professors, and Assistant Professors, alongside a Post-Doctoral Research Associate, a Laboratory Officer, and a Research Assistant. Each member brings a wealth of expertise in various facets of renewable energy—ranging from Solar Photovoltaic and Concentrated Solar Power to Wind, Hydro Energy, Bioenergy, and Geothermal Energy. Additionally, their proficiency extends to Energy Efficiency and Management, Sustainability, Energy Planning, Climate Change Mitigation, Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems, the Energy-Water Nexus, and Waste-to-Energy Conversion.

The group's prolific academic output includes numerous high-quality journal articles published in prestigious journals, influential conference papers, comprehensive books, and insightful book chapters. The team's commitment to advancing knowledge in the field is further evidenced by their active participation in international conferences, workshops, and seminars, all dedicated to Renewable and Sustainable Energy and Energy Efficiency. Their excellence in research and development has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by numerous top placements in local and international awards and recognitions. Furthermore, the group has played a pivotal role in mentoring a new generation of scholars, supervising numerous post-graduate students engaged in cutting-edge Renewable Energy and Sustainability projects.

Aligning with the group's establishment, the Renewable Energy Research Laboratory (RERL) was initiated under RISE. This lab contains state-of-the-art facilities that boast advanced research equipment and systems, bolstering the group's capacity to conduct groundbreaking research in Sustainable and Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. The RER lab serves as a testament to the group's commitment to practical, innovative solutions in the quest for a more sustainable future.

• Solar Energy systems and technologies: [Solar Photovoltaics (PV), Solar Thermal, and Solar Hybrid Power Systems]
• Energy Efficiency in buildings, transportation, and Industry
• Hydrogen production, storage, and distribution
• Renewable and Alternative Fuels (Biofuels production and optimization)
• Renewable Energy Systems modeling, simulation, and optimization
• Energy monitoring, control, and management
• Sustainability development and practices
• Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems
• Waste to energy conversion.

Guest Editors of Special Issue for "Energies" journal: "Performance and Efficiency Enhancement of Solar Photovoltaics", Dr. Chaouki Ghenai and Dr. Oussama Rejeb. 

Click here to view the details and to apply for manuscript submission.

The group members were active in participating in different conferences and awarded many recognitions such as: 

• Participation in the industry event organized by the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering department – January 17th 2019.
• Participation in the International conference on Energy, Environment and Storage energy (ICEESEN 2020), Turky, 2020.
• Participation in the Advances in Science and Engineering Technology (ASET) International Conferences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2020.
• Participation in International Conference on Modelling Simulation & Intelligent Computing (Mosicom2020), Dubai, UAE, January 2020.
• Participation in the 12th International Renewable Engineering Conference (IREC), April 14th – 15th 2021, Middle East University, Amman, Jordan.
• Participation in "Know House" team representing the University of Sharjah in Solar Decathlon 2018 competition and winning the first place among local universities, [Dr. Ahmed Hachicha].
• Sharjah Innovation Award, Third Place (Project – Solar Pyrolysis Project), 2019.
• Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Project – Solar Pyrolysis Project), 2019.
• Appreciation Award – 12th International Conference on Sustainable Energy & Environmental Protection (SEEP 2019), Sharjah, UAE, Serving as a section chair.  
• Appreciation – Distinguished contribution and dedication recognition for the achievement of first place in the UAE for the University of Sharjah, 2019 UI Green Metric World University Ranking.