Utility-Scale Solar Power II: Digitalization & AI Transforming the Industry

Tuesday, May 06, 2025

Time
04:30 pm - 06:00 pm
Hall
ICM München
Room
Room 14 B

Digitalization has already revolutionized utility-scale solar, and now AI is emerging as the next game-changer, enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and optimizing performance across a solar power plant's entire lifecycle. From site selection and energy yield prediction to financial modeling during the development, design optimization and automation during construction, and predictive maintenance for O&M, AI and digital tools are transforming how solar power plants are planned, built, and operated. But with solar becoming a critical part of our energy infrastructure, concerns about cyberattacks are growing.


This session will provide:

  • Overview of digital, IOT and AI tools across all phases of a solar plant's lifecycle
  • Insight on the opportunities and limitations of today's digital and AI solutions in the solar industry
  • Discussion on cybersecurity risks and mitigation strategies for solar power systems

04:30 pm - 04:35 pmWelcome & Introduction

Adele Ara

Chief Technology Officer

Lightsource bp

04:35 pm - 04:50 pmOverview Digital and AI Applications in Utility-Scale Solar

Dr. David Moser

Managing Director

Becquerel Institute

04:50 pm - 05:05 pmChallenges of AI in the Life of Developer

Ana Felício

Planning&Execution Office

EDP

05:05 pm - 05:20 pmPredicting Solar Generation at the Asset Level Using AI Machine Learning

05:20 pm - 05:35 pmCybersecurity - How to Keep Solar Energy Infrastructure Safe?

Edmar Pessoa Araujo Neto

Head of Software Development

KACO new energy GmbH - A Siemens Company

05:35 pm - 06:00 pmPanel Discussion: To What Extent Do We Need AI Today or Is There Still a Lot Homework to Be Done First on Other Ends?

Speakers
Speaker
Adele Ara, Lightsource bp

Chief Technology Officer

UK

Having joined in 2014, Adele's career at Lightsource bp includes servicing as our Head of Global Business Operations, leading the business transformation and digitalisation strategy, and prior to that as Director of Asset Management. Under her guidance, we have successfully implemented several digital transformation strategies, steering Lightsource bp through a significant period of change with drive, compassion, and determination. In her current remit, Adele leads LSbp global functions including Safety, Quality, Sustainability, IT & Digital, PMO, TMO, Engineering Centre of Excellence and Innovation, Before joining us, Adele was a Senior Manager at Platina Partners, a private equity fund specialised in renewable energy investments across Europe, where she was responsible for the asset management of a portfolio of wind and solar PV assets. At Platina, Adele was also an Investment Manager with responsibilities over the development and acquisition of solar PV projects in Southern Europe. Prior to this role, Adele served as a corporate and investment bank analyst at Citi. Adele chaired the Lifecycle Quality Workstream at Solar Power Europe from 2020 to 2022 and is a member of the advisory group of the BSc Energy Management at CU London. She holds an MSc in Economics for Arts, Culture and Communications Summa Cum Laude from L. Bocconi University in Milan.

Speaker
Edmar Pessoa Araujo Neto, KACO new energy GmbH - A Siemens Company

Head of Software Development

Germany

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Speaker
Dr. David Moser, Becquerel Institute

Managing Director

Belgium

David Moser (PhD in Physics). He is the Managing Director of Becquerel Institute Italia where among many other activities he is developing generative AI-based proof of concept solutions for the photovoltaic sector. He was responsible for the "Photovoltaic Energy Systems" research group at the Institute for Renewable Energy, EURAC, Bolzano, Italy, from 2012 to 2025. During his tenure, he coordinated EU H2020 projects including Solar Bankability on the economic impact of technical risks in photovoltaic projects, H2020 TRUST-PV on improving reliability and grid compatibility of photovoltaic systems, HEU SUPERNOVA on improving the operation of photovoltaic systems, and HEU SYMBIOSYST on agrivoltaics. He actively participates in IEA PVPS Task 13 "Performance and Reliability of Photovoltaic Modules and Systems." He is Vice President of the Steering Committee of the European Technology and Innovation Platform for Photovoltaics (ETIP-PV). He has discussed the use of generative AI in the photovoltaic sector at various events (Solar Quality Summit 2024 and 2025, Solarplaza asset management conference in 2024).

Speaker
Ana Felício, EDP

Planning&Execution Office

Portugal

Ana Felicio leads the Planning & Project Execution Office for Renewables Generation Asset, overseeing strategic programs that drive innovation and growth. With deep expertise in technology, the renewables sector, and project management in global environments, she plays a key role identifying value opportunities. Her leadership ensures the successful execution of initiatives that advance renewable energy development and sustainability.

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