VGB POWERTECH 10 (2020) - International Journal for Generation and Storage of Electricity and Heat

VGB PowerTech 10 l 2020
Editorial
100 years VGB: Welcome address
Dear Ladies, dear Gentlemen,
I am very pleased about the
invitation to the 100 th anniversary
of VGB PowerTech.
I very much welcome the
fact that VGB PowerTech
will not miss the opportunity
to celebrate this anniversary
despite the Corona Pandemic
– on a small scale on the
Energy-Campus Deilbachtal
and with the online guests
live on screen. I am glad and
relieved that strict hygiene
measures – as they are also
observed on site – make it
possible to be together and that digital technology also allows
us to meet virtually.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to you in and from
Essen, one of the most important energy metropolises in
Europe.
Essen is the “Powerhouse of Europe”. Here in the center
of the Metropole Ruhr, renowned international energy
companies have their headquarters. They make Essen a
decision-making center for the energy industry. The Essen-based
companies have leading market positions in energy
generation, distribution, supply and energy management.
Essen-based companies are among the key players:
RWE AG, E.ON SE, or Evonik AG – they are nationally and
internationally active independent power producers.
The Essen-based companies have extensive know-how in
research and development in both renewable and conventional
energy technologies. However, small and mediumsized
companies are also part of Essen´s energy industry.
As a whole, these partly highly specialized production and
service companies cover the most important areas of the
value chain.
With Messe Essen, Essen offers a central event location as a
platform for the energy industry with international appeal.
The leading trade fair “E-world energy & water” is of outstanding
importance in this respect. Current research and
development results, future market developments of energy
sources and the presentation of new technologies can be
experienced there. The global players of the international
energy industry will present themselves here.
The entrepreneurial and technical know-how of the energy
industry is concentrated in Essen. The concentrated energy
of the international groups, the medium-sized companies,
the educational and research institutions as well as the international
trade fair and congress events is an outstanding
trademark of the electricity metropolis Essen.
The most important energy industry network in the state
of North Rhine-Westphalia operates under the umbrella of
the EnergyAgentur.NRW. It coordinates the cooperation of
over 3,000 players in 18 working groups and competence
networks.
An outstanding Essen network partner of the energy industry
is – you guessed it – the jubilarian: VGB PowerTech e.V.
What makes the international association of power plant
operators so special? First and foremost the 100-year tradition.
To be successful for more than a century, to set standards,
to always be at the cutting edge of technology and
even more: to shape the future - this is not a foregone conclusion,
behind it there is a lot of power, ambition and the
unconditional will to be at the pulse of time, to keep up with
the times. 100 years of bundled knowledge are gathered in
VGB, which is reflected in its current core competence. Today,
430 VGB members from 33 countries benefit from this.
Because answers have to be found to how to deal with the
three major trends in the energy sector: decentralisation,
digitalisation and decarbonisation.
VGB provides an impressive answer to these questions in
its mission statement published in 2019 – this is another
reason why it is so special. With a sense of proportion and
the knowledge of technical feasibility, its mission statement
not only describes the main aspects of modern energy supply
– sustainability, environmental friendliness, safety and
economic efficiency – it also shows how to implement them
realistically in eight strategic fields of action.
All good things come in threes: I would like to address three
fields of action:
First, as Lord Mayor, I have a duty to ensure security of supply
for our citizens. On the other hand, VGB knows how an
energy mix leads to supply stability. This is fundamental for
the economic situation and future of a municipality and for
its private households.
Second, the citizens expect an affordable energy supply. To
secure electricity prices, VGB can advise its members on the
efficiency of their electricity generation and storage facilities.
Electricity must be affordable for everyone and must
create value for the companies.
Third, as the Green Capital of Europe the expansion of renewable
energies is not only good for us, a climate-neutral
and modern energy infrastructure also means quality of
life and strengthens environmental protection. Thanks to
its Europe-wide network, VGB advises its members on the
development of the energy systems of the future - the generation
of energy by wind, water, solar energy and biomass.
This is valuable knowledge for the energy industry for the
near future – “made in Essen”!
At the “Energy Campus Deilbachtal”, the VGB PowerTech
e.V., the KWS Power Tech Training Center and the Simulator
Centre bring together important players in the energy
supply sector, providing the energy industry with innovative
know-how and far-reaching impulses. I admit that I am
also proud of my home town.
It is something special to represent the energy metropolis Essen
and I am glad that VGB has its headquarters in Essen and
that it links and holds together the European energy industry.
I congratulate VGB PowerTech e.V. on its 100 th anniversary!
Thomas Kufen
Lord Mayor of the City of Essen, Germany
Welcome address on the occasion of VGB OnLine – 100 years VGB,
9 September 2020. The spoken word applies,
available on VGB´s YouTube channel: www.vgb.org/youtube
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