Energy Transition Conference – 16 OCTOBER 2024

Check the content of this event

Registration is needed

Content of weTHINK. Energy Transition online conference, 16 OCT 2024

Aims to

  • Establish working groups to facilitate the implementation of renewable energy projects across the region.
  • Offer networking opportunities to all interested actors to connect at the regional scale and organize partnerships to implement renewable energy projects and support the energy transition process. 
  • Identify key financing opportunities to support the implementation of renewable energy projects in the CEEC region.

Topics covered

  • Sustainable energy transition trajectories.
  • Solar, hydro, wind and biomass – challenges and opportunities.
  • Central actors for energy transition – coordination and support.  
  • Examples of good practices from across the region – technology and policy know-how. 
  • Financing energy transition – private, public and EU funds.

Sponsored by

Event Structure

  • 10:00 – 10:02 Introduction and welcome (Ingo Mayr-Knoch, weTHINK.)
  • 10:02 – 10:25 Keynote: EU Strategy towards a CO2 free European energy sector – Pierre Schellekens, Director for Energy Policy: Strategy and Coordination (EC DG ENER – European Commission)
  • 10:25 – 10:30 Discussion with EC DG ENER  speaker
  • 10:30 – 12:10 State of the art industry presentations:
    • 10:30 – 10:55 Renewable Energy Supply for Energy-Intensive Industries (Martin Dolzer, Kelag/Interenergo) 
    • 10:55 – 11:20 Decarbonization of district heating and industrial heat production (Bojan Pejic, Siemens Energy)
    • 11:20 – 11:45 Small Modular Reactors, a Hype or Reality? (Uwe Stoll, Framatome) 
    • 11:45 – 12:10 Clean Electricity from Waste Heat: Act Now and Remain Flexible for the Future (Markus Lintl, Orcan Energy) 
  • 12:10 – 12:55 Panel discussion on strategic, legal, political, administrative, and economic challenges and solutions to improve energy transition.
      • Martin Dolzer (Kelag/Interenergo) 
      • Bojan Pejic (Siemens Energy)
      • Uwe Stoll (Framatome)
      • Markus Lintl (Orcan Energy)
      • Luca Sarandrea (Cementir Holding)
      • Marko Jukić (Jajce Alloy Wheels Ltd.)
      • Robert David (Interprint GmbH)
      • Dritan Dervishaj (Antea Cement)
  • 12:55 – 13:00 Wrap up and follow-up steps.

Abstracts

Pierre Schellekens (Director for Energy Policy: Strategy and Coordination at EC DG ENER – European Commission) – EU Strategy towards a CO2 free European energy sector

The European Commission, and the EU in general, are at the turn of the mandates. Ever since the President-elect Ursula von der Leyen laid out her political guidelines for the next five years, it is evident that the EU will adapt its focus from relaunching economy after the COVID-19 pandemic to spurring competitiveness and support European business. The Clean Industrial Deal announced in July in Strasbourg will constitute a strategy that delivers on this new priority while making sure that the clean energy transition is pursued. The strong legislative framework adopted in the last years under the European Green Deal requires fast implementation and work on the ground. The European Commission, and Directorate-General for energy in particular, will steer the process and contribute to this important work.

Martin Dolzer (Head of Group Energy Trading – Kelag/Interenergo) – Renewable Energy Supply for Energy-Intensive Industries
 
As renewable energy becomes increasingly important in global energy markets, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) have emerged as essential tools for supporting the development of renewable energy projects. With the reduction of government subsidies, PPAs provide companies with a market-driven approach to achieving sustainability objectives, securing long-term price stability, and mitigating energy market risks. These agreements offer a reliable method for businesses to participate in the transition to clean energy. A Power Purchase Agreement is a contract between an off-taker and a power producer to purchase electricity at an agreed price for a specified period. Intermediaries such as Kelag and Interenergo d.o.o. facilitate these agreements by connecting energy producers with corporate buyers, while also providing risk management and contractual support to ensure effective energy procurement. This keynote will provide a detailed overview of various PPA business models, including onsite, offsite, and virtual models, and their growing significance for companies aiming to meet sustainability targets. It will also examine the role of PPAs in helping energy-intensive industries and utilities stabilize energy costs and expand their renewable energy portfolios in the context of the broader energy transition.
 

Bojan Pejic (Business Development Manager at Siemens Energy Austria GmbH) Decarbonization of district heating and industrial heat production

Heat accounts for approximately half of the world’s energy consumption and contributes to 40 percent of global CO2 emissions. Decarbonizing heat is an essential component in the global effort to achieve net-zero emissions. This can be achieved in different ways. One possibility is to switch to a low-carbon fuel and to make the fuel usage more efficient. Alternatively, heat production can also be electrified by using power from renewable energy.

Uwe Stoll (Technical Chief Advisor for Nuclear Facilities at Framatome GmbH) – Small Modular Reactors, a Hype or Reality?

Today, everyone is talking about Small Modular Reactors (SMR) as one of the solutions in the fight against climate change. SMR is to deliver safely and reliably CO2-free electricity without any possibility of severe accident. There are more than 100 design proposals ranging from small classical pressure and boiling water reactors to innovative molten salt reactors. Selected SMR designs are presented, and their market maturity is evaluated. It compares SMR’s to large nuclear power plants and gives an outlook on the possible market launch.

Markus Lintl (Head of Industry and New Business at Orcan Energy) Clean Electricity from Waste Heat: Act Now and Remain Flexible for the Future

Utilizing waste heat for electricity generation enhances efficiency and reduces CO2 emissions. A modular approach offers immediate cost savings on electricity while ensuring maximum adaptability. Whether production shifts, heat demand fluctuates, or regulations evolve, this approach allows for seamless adjustments. The no-regret-move in uncertain times.

Who do we bring together?

  • We bring together all key strategy actors (ministries, public officials, municipalities, industry associations, energy producers, renewable energy solution providers, regulators) in Europe with an initial focus on Southeastern Europe and Eastern Europe.

How do we bring them together?

  • Through closed groups on the online crowd knowledge platform – weTHINK.eu.
  • Through quarterly online working group meetings and two bi-annual online conferences.

Why do we bring them together?

  • To regularly exchange, technical operational, and strategic know-how and best practices on energy transition.
  • To conduct training for service companies and municipalities on renewable energy solutions and implementation strategies.
  • To develop strategy recommendations and position papers to improve the legal, political and economic environment for the successful energy transition in Europe.
  • To develop projects on renewable energies and to implement them.

Date

16 Oct 2024
Expired!

Time

10:00 - 13:00

Local Time

  • Timezone: Europe/Berlin
  • Date: 16 Oct 2024
  • Time: 10:00 - 13:00

Next Event