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The Faculty of Engineering - Branch 2 hosts a symposium on “Energy Crisis” as part of SERMED
The Faculty of Engineering – Branch 2 hosted a symposium, as part of SERMED project, that addressed the energy crisis in Lebanon, with the participation of academics, engineers, and industry leaders.
The branch director, Dr. Carine El Kassis, opened the symposium by emphasizing the role of universities in bridging policy, technology, and community engagement to confront Lebanon’s energy challenges.
The first session, “Lebanon’s Energy Transition: From Challenges to Opportunities”, was presented by Dr. Sabine Saad, who outlined the sector’s stark realities, including limited daily electricity supply from EDL and reliance on costly diesel generators. She then showcased real-world microgrids as evidence that decentralized solar power is already reshaping Lebanon’s energy landscape.
Following this, former ASHRAE Lebanon Chapter president Eng. Jacques Ghosn discussed the integration of sustainable energy practices into ASHRAE standards. He stressed the importance of energy efficiency benchmarks and the role of engineers in embedding sustainability into building systems and industrial processes.
The third presentation, delivered by Dr. Alain Akiki, R&D and Innovation Senior Manager at INDEVCO, focused on “Beyond the Bin: Upcycling Plastics.” He demonstrated how upcycling plastics through compatibilizers can save significant amounts of energy and prevent thousands of tons of CO₂ emissions compared to incineration.
Dr. Akiki also highlighted ongoing collaborations with the Lebanese University, showing how academia-industry synergy is driving sustainable innovation.
The final session, “Powering Through the Crisis: Practical Energy Efficiency and Solar in Lebanese Industry”, was presented by Mechanical Engineer Joyce Saade, who shared case studies from residential, commercial, and industrial contexts.
Engineer Saadeh emphasized that practical engineering solutions, backed by data and financial feasibility, are essential for helping Lebanese industries survive the energy crisis.
The symposium concluded with a round table discussion and audience Q&A, allowing participants to exchange perspectives on reform, innovation, and practical implementation.
