Joint Plenary Panel Discussion
Wednesday 10 June 2015
Room: Elicium 2, Elicium, Second Floor
14:00 - 15:30
Session is open to all registered delegates
European Energy Transition – Embracing the Opportunity of Change
This year’s panel topic develops the overall joint theme of POWER-GEN Europe and
Renewable Energy World Europe and looks at how power industry professionals can
grasp the opportunities emerging out of the fundamental transition occurring in the
power sector across Europe.
An expert panel representing a broad spectrum of interest within the industry will be
asked to share their vision as to how the market is likely to develop and bring some
clarity to a sometimes opaque future for different types of power generation. The
debate will look at the changing roles of centralized power and the growth of localized
generation and the opportunities that will arise from this.
Panelists will be invited to speculate on how apparent policy conflicts between
Brussels and EU member states are likely to be resolved, which technologies are most
likely to prevail and how market players can best position themselves to lead and
succeed in Europe’s energy future.
Moderator:
Stephen Sackur, International Journalist and TV Presenter, UK
Stephen Sackur returns once again to moderate our Plenary Panel
discussion having led the debate at our last two POWER-GEN Europe
Plenary sessions. A popular performer, Stephen demonstrates a firm
grasp of the key issues and a willingness to press our panelists for straight answers.
Stephen Sackur is identified around the world as the presenter of HARDtalk, the
flagship current affairs interview programme aired on BBC World and the BBC News
Channel. Known for his uncompromising style, his interview subjects have included
Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Hugo Chavez, Gore Vidal and Shimon
Peres.
Panelists:
Stephan Singer
Director Global Energy Policy - Global Climate and Energy Initiative
WWF International
Belgium
Stephan leads WWF’s international work on promotion of 100% Renewables by 2050
since 2008. Before that he has been leading the WWF European Climate and Energy
Policy Unit in Brussels since 1999. Previously he worked for WWF Germany and for
GTZ/German ministry of economic co-operation in Hyderabad, India in co-operation with
the World Bank on rural poverty alleviation. He is Honorary Chairperson of the Board of
the Renewables Grid Initiative (RGI). Stephan is also peer reviewer of the annual World
Energy Outlook publications by the IEA and was a peer reviewer of the IPCC WG III
(mitigation and economics).
Koen Noyens
Advisor, Environment & Sustainable Development Policy Unit
Eurelectric
Belgium
Koen Noyens is Advisor in the Environment & Sustainable Development Policy Unit of
EURELECTRIC, the association which represents the European electricity industry. In his
role, Koen is responsible for all aspects of EU and international climate policies. Within
the organization he was previously active as energy policy advisor with a particular focus
on renewables and business innovation. Prior to joining EURELECTRIC, Koen worked as a
Business Consultant for Accenture Belgium in Brussels. He holds a master’s degree in
business engineering from the University of Leuven.
Mark Garnett
Vice President European Region
Doosan Power Systems
UK
Mark Garnett joined Doosan Power Systems as Director Wind Power Group in January
2011 to examine the business opportunities for Doosan’s potential entry into the
European Offshore Wind business. In January 2012 Mark was promoted into his current
role of Vice President European Region with sales & marketing responsibility for Europe,
South Africa, North America and Canada. Mark has spent the majority of his career
before joining Doosan working for international utilities and independent power
developers. His previous experience includes multiple project development of over 2,500
MW of power station capacity. More recently he was a critical part of the establishment
of a start-up independent Power Company and its growth to be number 2 in country.
Damian Wagner
Coordinator Smart Cities
Fraunhofer IAO
Germany
Damian Wagner is Coordinator of the Smart Cities Initiative and the European SCCProject “Triangulum” at the Fraunhofer Institute IAO in Stuttgart, Germany. He gained
hands- on experience in the field of sustainable energy solutions and financing working
in the innovation management of badenova, a leading German utility, the International
Emissions Trading Association (IETA), the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP)
and as a freelance consultant. The focus of his research at the ESB Business School in
Reutlingen and at the University of Exeter was on carbon finance and renewable energy
finance mechanisms. This research was put straight into practise in the South of
Germany, where his family develops and operates innovative small hydropower plants.
Martin Giesen
Chief Executive Officer
Advanced Power
United Kingdom
Martin Giesen is currently the Chairman of the Board of Advanced Power. He joined
Advanced Power AG (Switzerland) in 2001 as Founding Shareholder and COO, became
CEO in May 2007 and Chairman in April 2013. Prior to Advanced Power Dr. Giesen
provided development and consulting services with respect to power generation and gas
procurement.