The Clusters of Scientific Innovation in the Middle East and North Africa (COSIMENA) Energy Cluster conference highlighted the importance of energy efficiency, particularly in the building sector. The welcoming addresses by Rauia Toama of the Science Office at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Cairo, Dr Roman Luckscheiter, Director of the DAAD Office Cairo, Andreas Hergenröther, CEO of the German-Arab Chamber of Industry & Commerce, and Burkhard Hinz, Director of the KfW office Cairo, reflected the multi-sector focus of the conference and emphasised the pressing environmental and economic need to promote the rational use of energy.

The discussions were organised according to three themes. For the first theme, energy efficiency and building modernisation, Burkhard Hinz explored funding lines for energy efficiency initiatives and Andreas Wanke presented a case study of effective implementation of energy efficiency practices at the Freie Universität Berlin. Next, Dr Wafaa Nadim of the German University in Cairo and Clemens Hott, Sales Director Mashreq at BASF, discussed sustainable buildings in terms of challenges and opportunities for energy efficiency. Then, the founder of the Egyptian Green Building Council, Dr Ayman Mosallam of the University of California, Irvine, discussed governmental policies and the role of civil society organizations in promoting sustainable buildings.

While the thematic presentations focused on broader strategic issues, the afternoon working groups brought together researchers and architects to discuss the latest innovations in sustainable buildings. Wael Moussa of the Technical University of Munich as well as Christoph Banhardt and Prof Thomas Löffler of the Technische Universität Berlin, El Gouna presented their research on energy efficient architecture and on technology that takes into account the Egyptian environment and climate. Dr Adel Beshara, Chairman and Managing Director of Global Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Solutions, and architect Mohammed el Sokkary presented case studies of recently constructed sustainable buildings in Cairo that successfully reduce energy consumption.

The conference closed with a panel discussion with Burkhard Hinz, Prof Michael Eichner of the German University in Cairo, Andreas Hergenröther, and Prof Mohammed Salheen, Director IUSD/IDG, which was moderated by Dr Roman Luckscheiter. The panel reiterated the importance of promoting the efficient use of energy through regulation, financial incentives, and and increased end-user awareness. Through a networking lunch and dinner, attendees had the chance to exchange ideas and form connections, laying the foundation for a bright future for sustainable buildings.

• Energy Efficiency and Building Modernization
  • Burkhard Hinz
  • Andreas Wanke
• Sustainable Buildings – Challenges and Opportunities for Energy Efficiency
  • Assoc Prof Dr Wafaa Nadim
  • Clemens Hott
• Governmental Policies and the Role of the Egypt Green Building Council
  • Prof Ayman Mosallam
• Insulation in Arid Regions – Solution or Problem?
  • Christoph Banhardt
• A Case Study on Buildings Energy Efficient Designs
  • Dr Adel Beshara
• From Night-Cool to PVT-RESyst – Low cost/low tech cooling and heating systems for Egyptian buildings
  • Assoc Prof Thomas Löffler
• Summit Energy Efficient Buildings – BIPV as a measure to reduce electricity costs
  • Arch Mohamed El Sokkary