Smart Cities

February 14, 2020, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

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Campus Center Atrium, NJIT Main Campus

Dr. Shihab Kuran is an investor, serial entrepreneur, and a seasoned executive in the global semiconductor, power, and cleantech sectors. He founded and ran several private companies and served as an executive and board member at six public companies.

In the semiconductor space, he developed a business that became the sole supplier to Intel as they launched their coveted Centrino platform. In the cleantech space, he founded and ran Petra Solar(now Systems), where he led the development of smart solar on poles throughout the PSE&G service area. Prior to founding Power Edison, he served as the President of Strategic Development at NRG, one of the largest independent power producers in the United States, where he launched and ran the company’s energy storage and water-energy nexuses businesses.

Dr. Kuran was named by Greentech Media as one of the “100 People You Must Know in Smart Grid in 2012.” In 2011, he was named by NJBIZ as one of “The 100 Most Powerful People in New Jersey Business,” and his company, Petra Solar, was awarded the American Technology Award in both Smart Grid and Clean Tech. In 2010, E&Y recognized him as the New Jersey Green Tech Entrepreneur of the Year, and Fortnightly Magazine named him as a “Top Guru” in the solar industry. His efforts are fueled by a vision for a peaceful world with universal access to clean and sustainable sources of food, energy, and water. Dr. Kuran holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the City University of New York and an Executive Management degree from Harvard Business School.

Smart Cities are an all-encompassing expression that represents an optimal situation for operating cities while maximizing the benefit to their citizens. A successful Smart Cities approach would also incorporate forward-looking management strategies, such as clean energy. The talk, led by Dr. Shihab Kuran, founder of Power Edison, addressed how these concepts are implemented throughout the globe with a focus on New Jersey. Dr. Kuran also presented case studies of cities, including Newark, New Jersey, that made major strides toward Smart Cities. Also covered the approaches for New Jersey to achieve 100% clean energy by 2050, while creating an export economy in New Jersey-based on innovations in Smart Cities. We dedicate a special effort to energy storage, which is considered the “holy grail” of the power sector. We also addressed the energy, water, and food nexus, which cannot be tackled using traditional approaches, and that innovative solution is required. Furthermore, Dr. Kuran ended the talk by discussing the expected role of academia and the skill sets needed for university graduates.

View Complete Galary here.

NJIT welcomed attendees from all area colleges, universities, and professions. This public forum qualified attendees for Professional Development Hours.

Sponsors:

Albert Dorman Honors College
John A. Reif, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Otto H. York Dept of Chem and Material Engineering,
Dept of Chemistry and Env Science, Sigma Xi NJIT Chapter, and NJIT ASCE Chapter.