POWER-GEN Europe and Renewable Energy World Europe Joint Keynote sets the scene for 2014
Market leaders provide the backdrop for Europe’s leading thermal and renewable power generation event and consider the challenges that will lead the debate
Cologne, Germany 3rd June 2014 - Day One of POWER-GEN Europe and Renewable Energy World Europe began with a Joint Opening Keynote session providing an overview of the European power industry as it stands today, the challenges the industry is facing and the opportunities on the horizon. Nigel Blackaby, conference director, opened the session by describing the “unprecedented era of change” that is underway, while acknowledging Cologne as a fitting host for this year’s event as Germany takes a lead on navigating the power transition.
Next to take the stage was Matthias Hartung, CEO at RWE Generation SE & RWE Power AG Germany. Hartung called for political reform, and encouraged Europe to learn from Germany’s issues as it undertakes a drive towards the goals outlined in Energiewende (energy transition). Hartung explained how RWE Generation is undergoing its own significant transition as it looks to adapt its business model in line with the Energiewende. If Europe’s energy market is to succeed, he asserted, three objectives must be met: security of supply, which is crucial for market stability; a new market design to ensure clear planning and investment; and collaboration at a European level to avoid the ‘destruction of the energy market’.
Vesa Riihimaki, President, Power Plants & Executive Vice President, Wärtsilä Corporation, Finland spoke next. He took the opportunity to offer up a new market model for Europe. Called the ‘Flexibility market’, it would offer enhanced energy balancing capabilities for the smooth integration of renewables into the energy market by putting power generation online at pre-planned scheduled intervals – for example, when the sun isn’t shining, or when forecasts say the wind won’t be blowing. Riihimaki sees this model as being a ‘win-win’ for society, consumers, utilities and FSOs, as it encourages the integration of renewables, is profitable for generators, and offers clean and secure despatch.
The final presentation came from Dr Martin Giesen, CEO at Advanced Power, United Kingdom. Giesen called for increased stability and reliability in the European energy market, highlighting that the European energy market had lost over half a trillion dollars of investment due to the renewable energy boom and closure of nuclear power plants. Giesen’s vision for the future sees governments and industry working together to encourage market stability. He also argues that for this to happen, governments must keep their word on subsidies in order to ‘reinstate trust and confidence in the broken market’. Furthermore, as gas power provides a strong complement to renewable power, this must be supported by greener energy generation during the transition.
“This year’s Joint Keynote saw three market leaders from very different walks of life, come together to discuss their analysis of Europe’s energy market, and give their projections for the future,” said Blackaby. “It was great to see such a packed hall and the session certainly stimulated some interesting debate. I am looking forward to seeing the topics explored in more detail during the conference.”
POWER-GEN and Renewable Energy World Europe is taking place at Koelnmesse, Cologne from 3– 5 June 2014, and there is still time to register onsite at the event. Next year’s event is being held in Amsterdam in June 2015.
Media contact:
Amy Redhead
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7242 8867
Email: amy.redhead@aspectuspr.com
Web: www.aspectuspr.com
About PennWell events
POWER-GEN Europe and Renewable Energy World Europe are owned and organised by PennWell Corporation. These events form part of a series staged annually in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and provide exhibitors with an international ‘one-stop-shop’ for penetrating markets and presenting their products and services to a global audience. For delegates and visitors, the events offer a dedicated forum tailored to their specific regional needs, putting them in touch with suppliers of solutions to their particular problems. The conferences address topical issues critical to the development of power generation in the host region. For more information please visit www.powergeneurope.com