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Advanced Power and Energy Center Team Explores Joint Laboratory Setup, Industrial R&D Projects, and Talent Development Pathways 

A delegation from Khalifa University’s Advanced Power and Energy Center (APEC) visited the production and R&D facilities of Guangzhou Baiyun Electric Equipment (BYE Group) in China to advance academic and industrial collaboration and align on the strategic direction and operational framework of the BYE–APEC Joint Innovation Laboratory.

The visit focused on initiating joint research projects aligned with the UAE’s energy transition priorities and addressing cooperation with local enterprises across the Arab region. The engagement also covered academic exchange at BYE’s R&D Center through faculty visits, as well as internship and joint training programs at BYE’s operational bases. 

BYE President and Co-Founder Mingcong Hu and Hu Dezhao, Chairman, met with Khalifa University faculty including Prof. Ahmed Al Durra, Associate Provost for Research; Prof. Mohamed El Moursi, Director, APEC; and Prof. Khalifa Al Hosani, APEC’s Theme Lead for Industry Engagement, Commercialization, and Professional Development.

The delegation toured BYE’s advanced manufacturing facilities and R&D center, gaining insights into the company’s capabilities in power systems equipment and electrification technologies. Discussions centered on defining the structure and resource allocation for the joint laboratory, including its location, equipment configuration, and funding framework.

Talks also focused on priority research areas for collaboration such as renewable energy integration technologies, energy storage systems, advanced power electronics and solid-state transformer applications, hybrid AC/DC transmission networks, transportation electrification, and green hydrogen applications. 

Other areas discussed included seamless data center integration, AI-driven power systems, and smart home and smart building technologies, with development and testing based on Khalifa University’s smart home platform. 

The joint laboratory aims to integrate research and industrial deployment, with APEC serving as a potential technology R&D hub for BYE, providing access to its specialized laboratories, while BYE will engage researchers to develop joint industrial-academic projects aligned with regional grid modernization requirements. Khalifa University researchers will also gain access to BYE’s facilities to accelerate prototype validation and industrial testing.

Prof. Mohamed El Moursi said: “Our visit to BYE Group marks an important step in demonstrating Khalifa University’s broader role in bridging research excellence with industrial application, particularly in power systems, electrification, and sustainable energy technologies critical to the UAE and the region’s economic and infrastructure development. This visit has strengthened our commitment to developing technologies and talent that support the UAE’s evolving power and energy landscape. The time spent with all of the BYE team helped us gain a deeper understanding of BYE’s impressive companies, vision, and the remarkable capabilities at their production factories.”

Alisha Roy
Science Writer