ACEF 2020 Steering Committee

Dr. Yongping Zhai has been working on energy development in Asia and Africa for more than 25 years. He is currently Chief of Energy Sector Group of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in charge of overall energy policy coordination and technical support to ADB energy sector operations. He is also in charge of developing energy sector knowledge work for ADB and interacts with worldwide energy sector partners.

Prior to his current position, Dr. Yongping Zhai was Director of South Asia Energy Division (2010-2015), ADB, covering energy sector operations in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. In this capacity, he led ADB’s support to renewable energy, energy efficiency and power trade in South Asia. He also served as ADB’s Lead Energy Specialist (2008-2010), in charge of energy sector in Southeast Asia including Indonesia, Philippines, and the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). In particular, he was instrumental in leading ADB’s support to the power sector’s successful restructuring process in the Philippines. Moreover, Dr. Zhai has played a key role in promoting power trade and cooperation in GMS.

Dr. Nam is the Principal Energy Economist, Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC), Asian Development Bank where he conceptualizes development of the energy sector strategies and policies and advises in the formulation of the energy sector lending and non-lending pipeline of projects. He is also responsible for the Energy Sector Trust Funds and undertakes analysis and assessment of key energy sector issues particularly in clean energy technologies. Prior to joining SDCC, he was Principal Economist, Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department, where he provided contributions in analytical research and technical advice on multiple disciplines including power sector development and reforms, renewable energy, fossil fuel subsidy, transport, impact evaluation, country diagnostic studies, and issues related to economic analysis on investment projects particularly on energy, infrastructure, and environment sectors.

Prior to joining ADB, he worked in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and the United Nations for Industrial Development (UNIDO).

David engages across a range of energy system technologies to support ADB’s investments in the energy sector. Previously at the UN Economic Commission for Europe, David’s focus was on the role of gas and electricity in sustainable energy systems. At the International Energy Agency (IEA), David was the lead author for Energy Technology Perspectives publication. He also led the IEA’s work on electricity system technologies, such as smart grids.

Over the course of his career, David has worked in the energy and climate fields for over 20 years, with focus areas of technology, policy, and analysis in both private and public sectors. In these roles he developed markets, deployed renewable and energy efficiency technology and has advised various governments at the local and national levels on energy policy. Speaking at numerous events globally, he carries the message of appropriate technology use and deployment.

Peter du Pont is based in Bangkok and has more than 30 years’ experience developing sustainable energy and climate programs in the U.S. and Asia. He has carried out assignments related to the design, implementation, and evaluation of clean energy policy and plans, energy finance, and climate change programs. He has worked in a variety of roles consulting and managing for non-profit and private consultancies and development agencies, with a focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy, finance and market incentives, and climate change. He has a masters degree in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Delaware.

Michelle has over 10 years of events management experience and handles a wide range of events from social to corporate events. Previously, Michelle handled ADB official events from pre-event, onsite, and post-event support to ADB host organizers, including those attended by high-level participants and ADB Management.

Over the years, she coordinated with various business units and external suppliers on administrative and logistical arrangements of ADB official events at ADB headquarters. She also contributes to the continuous enhancement of the online registration, facility booking systems, and other similar programs. With her various experience in events management, she would like to continue in making all events sustainable.

Anna started her career in physics research labs. She has worked on several research teams developing new energy models, as well as designing, building and testing experimental organic solar cells. Wanting to see faster impacts of scientific research on the rest of society, she set up and works as the CEO of an energy efficiency software start-up that focuses on home heating efficiency in the American residential market.

Believing strongly in the potential for Asia to be a leader in Clean Energy she moved back home to Hong Kong, joining ACE Partners in 2019 to conduct market research and develop new products. Anna has a degree in Physics and Environmental Systems, Hamilton College. She is based in Hong Kong, China.

Marc has more than 12 years of experience as a communications specialist in advocacy, development, and human rights communications at the grassroots, national, and regional levels. He has a track record of valuable contributions to the development and implementation of outreach and communications strategies.

His regional communications experience includes working with country, and regional offices to ensure brand management, consistency of messaging, knowledge management, and quality control of communications and knowledge products for organization-wide advocacy and campaigns, and programmatic, research, and project communication, and engagements and work relationships with Asia-Pacific parliamentarians and United Nations regional offices, and with donors such as GIZ, AusAID/DFAT, and JICA.

Patcharin "Erng" Boobpha has been supporting communications and marketing activities for the Asia Clean Energy Forum since 2017. Currently, she provides administrative and operational assistance during the business start-up period for ACE Partners. Erng has a Bachelor's degree in English and Communications, Ubon Ratchathani University. She is also a Young Southeast Asian Leader Initiatives (YSEALI) alumnus (University of Nebraska at Omaha). Erng is based in Bangkok, Thailand.