Our experts were present at E-world Energy & Water 2024 in Essen, Germany, the world's leading event for experts in energy issues. Here are the insights our Energy & Utilities team retained to navigate the future of energy.
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E-world Energy & Water: anticipating the energy challenges of the next 50 years
As the Energy sector converged in Essen for E-world Energy & Water, the event marked an important moment for industry leaders, innovators and stakeholders. After a two-year hiatus, this first-ever gathering served as a platform to explore the latest trends and innovations in Energy.
The show was a testament to the resilience and collaborative spirit of the global energy community, offering a comprehensive overview of the current state of the energy landscape and future trajectories through over 50 conferences.
A convergence of ideas and innovations at E-World Energy & Water
The heart of the show was set in four specialized forums - Change, Future, Hydrogen Solutions and New Energy Systems - each providing essential information on developments in the energy sector.
Forum Change: digitalization and local energy supply
The Change Forum explored the digitalization of energy networks, with a particular focus on IT security, which is crucial to protecting an increasingly digital energy infrastructure.
In addition, he examined the future of local energy supply, arguing for innovative solutions to ensure efficient, resilient and sustainable energy distribution.
One of the highlights of the forum was the I/O Energy Tech Forum (ETF), marking its second participation in E-world Energy & Water. CIOs, CTOs and developers from a wide range of companies and startups gathered to exchange views and delve into the "technical implementation of the energy transition".
Future Forum: the future of the European energy market and sustainable development
The Future Forum offered a forward-looking perspective on the European energy market, highlighting the essential role of smart meters in the digital and green transition. At the heart of the discussions was the transformative potential associated with smart meters, essential for reaching and engaging consumers while facilitating utility operations.
Near-generalized in France, gaining momentum in Switzerland, only 1% complete in Germany, the deployment of smart metering systems is essential to harness data and optimize grid balance.
Hydrogen solutions: successfully scaling up
The Hydrogen Solutions forum emphasized the vital role of hydrogen in decarbonization, presenting it as an essential complement to electrification.
Discussions covered the strategic, scientific and technical facets of hydrogen use and storage, highlighting the need for an integrated approach to building the energy infrastructures required to deploy hydrogen solutions.
Hydrogen's growing importance calls for new business models to stabilize its market, fostering secure conditions that stimulate the willingness to invest.
Over and above the technological dimension, the introduction of financial incentives is today a matter of life and death for the launch of the investments needed to develop this energy vector.
New energy systems legislation and its implications for the energy transition
This forum highlighted the essential role of new European legislation in the energy transition. Particular emphasis was placed on the implications of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which comes into force in January 2023, and which we presented in our summary of the Produrable 2023 trade fair.
The CSRD has considerably broadened the scope of non-financial reporting under the taxonomy regulation, increasing the number of companies required to disclose detailed ESG information in their annual reports from around 500 to 15,000.
This change underlines the growing importance of renewable energies in corporate sustainability strategies. This information becomes crucial for financiers and investors offering better credit terms for greater compliance with the taxonomy.
The discussion also aimed to explore how renewable energies and Green Power Purchase Agreements (GPPAs) align with these value chains, meeting the criteria of the EU taxonomy and promoting long-term business success.
Finally, the forum addressed the rapidly changing energy market, particularly in the light of recent European regulations on gas production. Questions of gas supply quality, origin, methane intensity and CO2 emissions are becoming increasingly relevant. Focusing on traceability in gas markets, the conference brought together key stakeholders to discuss transparency in the energy traceability chain.
What are the implications for industry and consumers?
Has E-world Energy & Water 2024 forgotten the end-user?
E-world Energy & Water 2024 was not only a gathering of leaders in the Energy sector, but also a celebration of reconnection in a post-Covid world. Customers and partners were once again able to share pleasant face-to-face moments.
However, amid the enthusiasm for technological advances and the promising future of energy, the forums lacked one notable perspective: the end-user's point of view.
As the industry moves forward, this event is a reminder of the importance of putting the consumer at the center of the energy dialogue. Whether addressing the challenges faced by consumers (B2C) or businesses (B2B), the ultimate goal of innovation and transition in the energy sector should be to benefit the end-user, mitigating the effects of price volatility and improving the overall energy experience.
How does iQo support players in the Energy & Utilities sector?
Our consultancy iQo is emerging as a relevant intermediary, bridging the gap between consumers and companies. Thanks to our in-depth knowledge and strategic sense, we are able to transform complex energy innovations into tangible benefits for end-users.
By facilitating meaningful dialogue and fostering strategic partnerships, we are committed to steering the energy transition in a direction that not only champions technology and progress, but also puts the needs of consumers first. The aim is to ensure a sustainable, efficient and inclusive future for all stakeholders.
Franck CÉSAR
iQo Associate
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Thomas BORDENAVE
Senior Manager, iQo
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