Energy – an economic miracle

18 May 2012. During the Forum in St.Gallen, representatives from academia, politics and trade and industry will discuss the latest changes on the energy market. The specialist conference will be organised by the Chair of the Management of Renewable Energies at the Institute for Economy and the Environment.

One year after the 2nd St.Gallen Forum for the Management of Renewable Energies, which took place on 11 March 2011 – at the same time as the reactor accident in Fukushima – the general conditions on the energy market have undergone great changes. In workshops and discussions during the Forum, guests will develop approaches to solutions for current challenges faced by energy supply companies.

Public panel discussion
At the beginning of the congress, the general public will be invited to a panel discussion on the premises of the Olma trade fairs, Hall 9.2 on Thursday, 24 May 2012 at 4.30 p.m. The topic of the panel discussion will be “With new energy to the second St.Gallen economic miracle?” With an introductory address about the textile industry, the panel will look into the question as to how the region will be able to benefit from the spirit of optimism in the energy sector. Thomas Scheitlin (Mayor, St.Gallen), Marco Huwiler (member of the Executive Board, St.Gallen Municipal Works), Christoph Solenthaler (CEO, Solenthaler Recycling) and Prof. Dr. Rolf Wüstenhagen (IWÖ-HSG) will constitute the panel, which will be chaired by Elisabeth Weyermann (Text & Auftritt GmbH). The panel discussion will be funded by the HSG and the Geothermics Congress of the St.Gallen Municipal Works.

During the specialist congress on 25 May 2012, the Chair of the Management of Renewable Energies will present the results of the 2nd Swiss Customer Barometer for Renewable Energies. Joachim Masur (CEO Zurich Switzerland) will present the Zurich Climate Prize for Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Bruno Giussani will moderate a panel discussion on “Renewable Energy Leaders: from early-stage to global players” with Jerry Stokes (Suntech), Jim Barry (Vestas) and Crispin Leick (Innogy Venture Capital), followed by a presentation of the smart grid by Jochen Kreusel (ABB).

Innovations on the energy market
Urs Leuthard will chair a panel discussion about business models in the grid of the future with Pierre-Alain Graf (CEO Swissgrid), Municipal Councillor Fredy Brunner, Suzanne Thoma (BKW) and Urs Schaeppi (Swisscom). In workshops, speakers and participants will discuss the integration of renewable energies into the energy system and the question as to how social acceptance of wind energy can be enhanced through civic participation models.

Picture: Photocase / Schachspieler