AI × Energy: Making the Energy System Itself Smarter — From Pilot to Plant
- Date
- 2026.10.07
- Time
- 10:10 - 10:55
- Location
- Congrès Square Grand Green Osaka
Most of the debate about AI and energy is about how much power AI will consume. This session turns the question around: what can AI do for the energy system we already have? Across upstream, refining, power generation, grids, and logistics, AI is beginning to run assets more safely and more efficiently — predictive maintenance, process optimization, autonomous operations. Yet the gap between a successful pilot and full deployment inside an energy major remains wide. They discuss where AI is already delivering value inside energy assets, why deployment stalls, and which mechanisms — corporate venturing, venture-client models, structured pilots — actually move a startup’s technology into a plant. With practical takeaways for deep-tech founders aiming to sell into the global energy industry from Japan.
Tetsuya Mori
Emerald Technology Ventures
New Business Development Director
Mehran Zaker
Emerald Technology Ventures AG
Partner
Tetsuya Mori
Emerald Technology Ventures
New Business Development Director
- Biography
Based in Tokyo, Tetsuya is New Business Development Director at Emerald Technology Ventures, leading its Japan activities: portfolio company market entry, startup sourcing, LP management, and the Tokyo Open Innovation Conference. Previously CEO of Sumitomo Plastics America in Silicon Valley. He has led open innovation from both corporate and VC sides, across the US and European ecosystems.
Mehran Zaker
Emerald Technology Ventures AG
Partner
- Biography
Mehran Zaker is a Partner at Emerald Technology Ventures in our Zurich office focusing on Industrial AI, Automation, Robotics and Mobility. He is involved in all phases of the investment process from origination through, diligence, company building and the exit process.
Prior to joining Emerald, he has held various positions in the automotive and the construction industries. At Valeo France, as software developer and project leader, he led development of cutting-edge technologies for electric cars and autonomous driving solutions. At Hilti AG, as global product manager, he was part of the fastest growing segment within the power tools business unit where he witnessed closely the digital transformation if this highly “un-digitized” industry. He is a firm believer in transformational power of technology and enjoys turning complex technical concepts into business opportunities.
Mehran has an Electronics engineering degree from ENSEA in France and an MBA from INSEAD.