About
Arash Aazami
Arash Aazami is an energy philosopher, entrepreneur, and global advocate for the Internet of Energy. He founded the world’s first energy company that earned more as it sold less and developed the “Path to Zero” business model, awarded by MIT in 2014. His initiatives, including the Internet of Energy, have influenced energy policies internationally and redefined how we think about energy access and equity.
Through his leadership of Unify.energy and the Synergy innovation ecosystem, Arash unites innovators, communities, and institutions to co-create systemic solutions for energy challenges. As an advocate for systemic innovation, Arash fosters collaboration and drives bold, practical changes in the energy sector.
Invited by His Holiness the Dalai Lama for a dialogue on energy and climate, Arash combines technology, ethics, and a deep commitment to humanity in his work. His keynote speeches and writings inspire audiences to take bold action and reimagine the future of energy, guided by his mantra: dream.develop.do.
1. Renewables 2.0 – Energy as a Fundamental Right
In this session, Arash presents energy not merely as a commodity but as a universal right essential to human dignity and progress. He recounts humanity’s centuries-long reliance on renewable resources, with fossil fuels serving as a brief intermezzo. Through Renewables 2.0, he demonstrates how digital technologies now enable us to control when, where, and how energy is utilized, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for equity and sustainability.
Arash emphasizes the urgency of fundamentally redesigning our energy systems to address today’s challenges with innovative thinking. He inspires participants to imagine a future where technology and human values align, creating energy systems that empower all. This session provides actionable insights for executives, policymakers, and anyone striving for a sustainable and equitable world.
Audience: General public, youth, professionals, policymakers, and executives.
Expertise Level: All.
Focus: Energy, equality, and the need for a fundamental system redesign.
2. From Scarcity to Balance: Financing and Redesigning the Energy Economy
Arash makes the case for a new investment rationale for a renewable, place-based energy future, and introduces groundbreaking metrics like Energy Return on Energy Invested (EROEI) and Energy Return on Capital Invested (EROCI) as essential tools for financing the energy transition. These concepts offer a new lens for optimizing resources and balancing energy and financial returns.
Building on his experience with disruptive business models, Arash demonstrates how innovative financing strategies can support the development of systems that serve both people and the planet. This session equips leaders with actionable strategies to align investments with environmental and social goals while fostering sustainable growth in the energy economy.
Audience: Entrepreneurs, policymakers, executives, and investors in the energy sector.
Expertise Level: Intermediate to advanced.
Focus: Financial innovation and systemic transformation for the energy transition.
3. Internet of Energy – Power to the People, Literally
In this session, Arash shares his vision of the Internet of Energy (IoE), a revolutionary concept inspired by his journey as an internet pioneer and tech innovator. He explores how digital technologies like AI and IoT democratize energy access, creating decentralized systems where individuals are both producers and consumers of energy. The analogy with the internet revolution is surprising, and shows the full-redesign-influence of digital technologies on the energy system.
Arash emphasizes the transformative power of digitalization in building resilient and future-proof energy systems. By embracing the mindset of a breakthrough innovator, he encourages participants to reimagine the energy landscape and take active roles in shaping a sustainable future.
Audience: Tech professionals, innovators, students, and business leaders.
Expertise Level: Intermediate to advanced.
Focus: Digitalization, decentralization, and the transformative role of technology in energy systems.
4. Festivals as Pop-Up Cities: Where the Next Society is Shaped
Drawing on his collaborations with festivals and his experience as a professional musician and performer, Arash redefines festivals as platforms for systemic innovation. These temporary cities provide a unique environment to test new energy solutions, economic models, and social structures that might be unfeasible in traditional urban settings.
Arash challenges the view of festivals as merely hedonistic escapes, highlighting their potential to inspire transformative solutions to global challenges like climate change and displacement. Participants will learn how festivals can shape the next society by creating inclusive and sustainable environments that reflect and redefine the future.
Audience: Festival organizers, creative thinkers, policymakers, and sustainability advocates.
Expertise Level: Intermediate to advanced.
Focus: Festivals as testbeds for systemic breakthroughs and future-proof models.
5. Mindsets for the Energy Transition: Seeker, Artist, Hacker
In this session, Arash introduces three mindset archetypes—the Seeker, the Artist, and the Hacker—as essential for leading the energy transition. These perspectives inspire individuals to explore new paradigms, craft creative solutions, and disrupt outdated systems with bold, actionable ideas.
Arash underscores the need for a fundamental redesign of our energy systems, urging participants to challenge yesterday’s thinking to solve today’s problems. This session is a call to action, empowering audiences to align personal purpose with collective impact and build a resilient, equitable energy future.
Audience: Leaders, policymakers, changemakers, and the general public.
Expertise Level: All.
Focus: Personal transformation and systemic change for the energy transition.
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