Room: 5-314
Speaker Name:
Dr Amr Elbanhawy | LinkedIn
Affiliation:
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering | PI, Energy Technology and Climate Change Laboratory | Ain Shams University | Cairo | Egypt
Fulbright Visiting Scholar | Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Abstract:
The accelerated energy transition will necessitate the deployment of a multitude of resources and technologies. This talk explores two complementary strategies that underpin at-scale energy transition efforts with examples from Egypt. In the first part, we assess the potential of agricultural residues as feedstock for biochemical conversion into high-value biofuels such as biomethane and methanol. Detailed resource assessments quantify the available biomass from crop residues, while integrating techno-economic evaluations to determine recovery feasibility. We introduce machine learning techniques to carry out a universal estimation framework capable of predicting the biomethane and methanol yields from the chemical components of feedstocks with high accuracy, resulting in a significant reduction of laboratory benchmarking. Furthermore, we present GIS-assisted methods that facilitate the spatial allocation of least-cost infrastructure. By overlaying biomass supply data with techno-economic criteria, these methods enable opportunistic siting of conversion facilities, ensuring reduced capital and operating expenditures while maximizing feedstock utilization.
In the second part of the talk, we address the life extension of utility-scale wind farms, particularly those with limited operational data. As wind assets age, uncertainties in performance and failure risks increase, threatening long-term economic viability. Here, we introduce a novel application of multi-granularity failure rate estimation. We capture both component-level and system-level degradation patterns, providing a valuable risk profile that informs maintenance and operational strategies. By integrating these advanced analytical techniques, operators can identify critical risk factors, schedule targeted interventions, and extend wind farm life, thereby securing continued power generation and optimizing asset performance.
Bio:
Amr Elbanhawy is Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Ain Shams University (ASU), and the director of the Energy Technology and Climate Change Laboratory. He held degrees from Cairo University, the University of Manchester, and is currently a Visiting Fulbright Scholar at the Stochastic Analysis and Nonlinear Dynamics Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research bridges the intersections of decarbonisation, computational science, and technology planning/policy. He has publications that span the critical areas of renewable energy integration, energy storage, decarbonization of agriculture, and biomass-based clean fuels. Professionally, Dr Elbanhawy is a Chartered Member of Council of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and had served roles in Bechtel Power, the UK’s Welding Institute, and lately a senior Technology Advisor for Egypt’s Orascom Construction.