Several peripheral regions in the world are striving to leverage their potential to become success stories of regional development through the adoption of sustainable energy practices. The Arava and Eilat region in southern Israel is committed to becoming a global leader by adopting a comprehensive strategy of innovative renewable energy ventures as the core of its regional development plans.

Recent deregulations in the energy market along with new higher tariffs for clean energy are turning the vision of a sustainable energy model for the region into a reality.
Characterized by high levels of radiation, favorable wind conditions, readily available industrial land, strong federal and regional governmental support, the arid Arava region and some other peripheral regions offer an ideal environmental, business economic, and social platform for implementing leading Israeli technologies in the field of renewable energy.
Key objective
The key objective of the conference is to facilitate this process by promoting thought-provoking presentations and discussion between key stakeholders as well as learning from relevant success stories from around the world. The conference will include interactive roundtable sessions focused around major technological and business opportunities in the Arava region. These sustainable energy opportunities will be examined from the perspectives of key stakeholders such as: the private sector, academics, government, public sector, local NGO's and community groups.
The unique location of the Arava in such close proximity to neighboring countries with similar physical characteristics, offers an opportunity to apply such practices in those countries, thereby further promoting existing initiatives of innovative regional cooperation.
General Information
Target audience for the conference:
Technological and academic experts involved in the field of sustainable energy as it pertains to regional development and with ties to regional energy agencies. Experts in the fields of natural resources management, environmental economics and ecology, renewable energy technologies, energy conservation, "green" building and architecture, business people, entrepreneurs, private investors and organizations in the energy sector, local, regional and international decision makers and researchers involved in regional cooperation are also eligible to attend.
Proposed sessions and topics for the conference:
- Innovative energy technologies and their adaptation and/or applicability to peripheral regions
- Architectural design for energy conservation in arid regions
- Regional and international policy making to encourage and support the development of peripheral regions through the promotion of sustainable energy
- Business and investment opportunities for the development of alternative and renewable energy sources
- Development of local industry in research and development in sustainable energy for arid regions
- Opportunities for regional cooperation through the development of sustainable energy for arid regions
- Infrastructure development for sustainable energy for arid regions
- Local stakeholder participation in the development of sustainable energy for arid regions
- Grass roots technologies for sustainable energy suitable to local conditions and small-scale applications
Eilat/Eilot Regional Authorities
The third day of the conference will be devoted to the advances of sustainable energy for the benefit of the development of the Eilat/Eilot regional authorities. This will include the investment in local projects under consideration by the local authorities and regional projects of local significance such as the proposed Red-Dead Conduit. The day will include a fascinating tour of the region including discussions with local decision-makers and communities and opportunities for business development and research.
Pre-conference of ISES (Israeli Solar Energy Section) will be held on June 4, at Tel Aviv University.
