Closing ceremony

The first INSPIRE energy summit ended on Friday 29 September. The VERBUND Energy Conference brought together top decision-makers from business, politics and academia who want to actively help shape the transition to clean energy together. Different formats provided ample opportunity for exchanges and discussion. In the end, everyone agreed: it is time to act.

INSPIRE energy summit day 3

Holaluz CEO Carlota Pi reported that it is possible to shape a world that is 100% powered by renewables. Thanks to the Rooftop Revolution, everyone can be part of the solution: “We are transitioning from an economy that produces centralised, polluting and non-green, towards an economy that produces, consumes, stores and manages electricity fully decentralised and decarbonised.”

Image: Copyright Holaluz

Dan Matthies (Reaction) and VERBUND CFO Peter Kollmann addressed the challenges of climate change in their presentations. Matthies reported: “The major climate crisis in the US will triple by 2050.” But he also said: “There is an entire world out there tackling climate change; if we come together and inspire each other we can save millions of lives together.” Peter Kollmann stated: “The three key factors for the energy transition to be implemented are capital, competences and coordination.” However, he looks to the future with optimism and exemplified this using an Oscar Wilde quote: “Everything is going to be fine in the end. If it’s not fine, it’s not the end.”

In conversation on stage: CFO Peter Kollmann with the presenter.
Marc Altrichter presents himself on stage with a smile.

Business angel and impact investor Michael Altrichter talked about start-ups driving the digital revolution in his keynote speech.

He stated: “I am convinced that AI will shape our society, and I believe that it must. Because the coming challenges can’t be solved by an individual or a nation-state; to do that we need shared knowledge, and I believe that’s artificial intelligence.”

Several promising start-ups also made an appearance. They presented their innovative ideas as part of the VERBUND X Energy and Infrastructure Accelerator. Afterwards, all the attendees were able to vote for their favourite.

But the start-ups’ work is not over yet. Over the next few months, they will continue to work on their solution and use prototypes to flesh it out. This will create added value for the future.

Group photo: In the centre, Michael Strugl flanked by VERBUNDx employees and some start-ups.
The panel discussion on the topic of innovation with various start-ups.

Christopher Burgahn (Fronyx GmbH), Franz Zöchbauer (VERBUND AG), Michaela Länger (Siemens Energy Austria GmbH), and Michael Altrichter got together for the “Innovation is not a solo trip” roundtable. Some key facts: 

  • There is a lack of appetite for risk – we need a culture of failure.
  • Focus: e-Mobility – collaboration and cooperation are key.
  • There are lots of ideas and technologies. Now we need to decide where the journey will take us.
  • Innovation requires resilience. Collaborations and partnerships are crucial for development.  

During the last discussion panel, Roland Matous (Energie Zukunft Lower Austria), Viktoria Gass (PwC) and Werner Eder (SKE Holding GmbH) discussed how to achieve security of supply and grid expansion in the future. Some insights included :

  • Power grids: Transformation creates challenges 
  • Necessary: Grid expansion, digitalisation and promotion of PV and wind power
  • The power grid of the future will also transmit bytes
  • Goal: to adapt regulatory framework to make grid and network costs financially viable.
  • Without digitalisation, there is no transition to clean energy: it takes courage and proactive action.
The panel discussion will revolve around the topic of volatility - security of supply and grid costs.
In conversation: Barbara Schmidt and Alfons Haber with the presenter.

In the final roundtable, Barbara Schmidt (Oesterreichs Energie) and Alfons Haber (E-Control) discussed the topic of grid security: expansion, necessity, reality and opportunities.

  • Trust must be restored in the energy transition. Need: youth involvement 
  • 1 gigawatt peak PV was integrated into the grid last year. Innovation is key.
  • A new framework is needed to give the electricity industry a new “constitution”.

In the end, discussion participants agreed: “We can do this and we will move this forward. We are a country of doers.”

Parting words by Michael Strugl

“INSPIRE is enthusiasm and INSPIRE will return in two years, I hope you will join us.”

That was the INSPIRE summit 2023

We are looking back at an exciting and extremely interesting event. But the second round is already scheduled for 2025. Stay tuned.

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