AKKU SYS Akkumulator- und Batterietechnik Nord GmbH

The global energy landscape is changing rapidly as demand for electricity increases and distributed generation becomes more widespread. In their efforts to modernize and expand an already aging power grid, utilities and grid operators face significant obstacles and challenges in maintaining system stability and resilience. In addition, shortages of skilled labor and materials are slowing infrastructure development. Addressing these issues requires technological innovation, policy reforms, and collaboration across the energy industry. The session will explore how to create a power system that is not only reliable and secure but also flexible enough to accommodate the changing energy landscape.

While variable renewable electricity generation is increasing, its cost-effective integration in the energy system remains a challenge: The electrification of consumption, from households to industries, is stagnating across Europe at around 23 %. The electrification of demand risks putting unnecessary strain on the system if it cannot be made more flexible. To support an increasingly intermittent energy system, peaks in electricity consumption must be avoided and electrified consumers rewarded for shifting demand to another time of the day. The session will present solid business models to support the flexible consumption of renewable electricity in homes, buildings and industries.

The electrification of road transport is advancing. OEMs are offering more e-vehicles models and e-charging infrastructure is expanding, albeit at different rates across Europe. Electric vehicles are clean transport assets as well as distributed energy resources. To ensure their smooth integration into the energy system, it is crucial to enable both smart (V1X) and bidirectional (V2X) charging.This will reduce costs for vehicle owners (private individuals as well as fleet-owners) and benefit network operators, who can use EVs as flexible assets to relieve grid congestions.The session will outline solid business models for V1X and V2X to address the cost-effective system integration of the growing number of EVs on European roads.

Grid planners are confronted with the complex task of transmitting energy from new renewable generation hubs to demand centers, while also addressing the growing need for high-capacity connections for storage plants, electrolyzers, and data centers. These developments present significant challenges not only for grid planners but also for service providers and project developers. This session will explore the technical, regulatory, and logistical hurdles involved in managing these demands and examine innovative solutions to ensure reliable, efficient grid integration and future-proof energy systems.

The European Commission estimates that network operators will need to invest at least 170 billion euros in network digitalization and intelligence by 2030. Disruptive AI and GenAI technologies, digital twins and 5G are permeating society and redesigning our ecosystems at an exponential and unstoppable rate. This session will feature a critical discussion on the future of European innovation and industry, focusing on the implementation of these emerging technologies and their role in shaping the next phase of industrial transformation. Experts from various sectors will explore key topics such as the challenges and opportunities in network investment, the transformative effects of digitalization and AI, and collaborative approaches to addressing implementation challenges.