Interview: "The future of energy is decentralised, digital and flexible!"
Mr Windelen, what are the trends and developments you currently see in the energy sector?
The energy sector is undergoing a profound transformation, which is primarily characterised by ongoing electrification. Electricity is becoming the central energy source for more and more applications –whether in mobility, industry or households. This also increases the demands on the energy system: More power, more flexibility and smarter control are needed to efficiently manage the increasing demand for electricity and provide customers with the energy they need when they need it.
Renewable energy generation alone is not enough for a successful energy transition and to ensure a stable, flexible and sustainable energy system. Widespread use of storage technologies and intelligent control systems are crucial to balance supply and demand and avoid grid overloads.
Another trend is the increasing role of prosumers: Households, businesses and industrial companies are not only consumers, but also active players in the energy system. Digitalisation plays a central role here. Smart, networked systems ensure automated control, facilitate the integration of flexible components and enable the efficient use of new tariff models. The obligation to offer flexible electricity tariffs to end customers will further speed-up this development – processes must be increasingly automated and they must be seamlessly integrated into the market.
The trends are clear: The future lies in a decentralised, digital and flexible energy world in which energy storage, prosumers and intelligent control are crucial to the success of the energy transition and the efficient supply of energy in line with demand.
How important is sector coupling for the energy transition in your opinion?
Sector coupling is a central component of the energy transition. Electrification is driving the change, but renewable electricity is ultimately the basis for all energy sectors, including mobility and heating/cooling.
Only by intelligently linking all sectors, the energy transition can be completed and an overall energy system be created that is stable, efficient and cost-effective. The focus must be on the application – the appropriate technologies will then be found and they must be used where they bring the greatest benefit.
What is the role of energy storage systems regarding grid stability and security of supply?
Energy storage systems are essential for grid stability and security of supply in the electricity sector. They balance out the fluctuating generation of renewable energy and provide system services that ensure a stable and reliable energy supply such as control energy, black start capability, frequency control, island solutions, etc.
How can small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) benefit from the developments in the energy sector?
The opportunities and possibilities are immense: for the first time, SMEs in particular can now produce and use a large proportion of the energy they need themselves, making them independent of rising prices, volatility, etc. And ultimately, there is nothing cheaper than electricity from your own roof.
Those who rely on intelligent energy solutions remain competitive, actively take on the future and utilise the opportunities of the new energy worlds – using new business models to their own advantage and generating new revenue or saving costs while reducing the burden on the system.
Which political framework conditions are currently the biggest challenges for the industry? And what do you expect from a new federal government?
The biggest challenges for the energy storage industry lie in excessive bureaucracy, an outdated market design and the lack of a system to enable flexibility in the energy system. Storage systems must be able to realise their full potential – through multi-use approaches, a reformed electricity balancing and more efficient grid connection concepts. There also needs to be more freedom for behind-the-meter systems, such as an adapted grid fee structure and an accelerated smart meter roll-out. For a successful sector coupling, heat and mobility must be more closely interlinked with the electricity sector – with a stable CO₂ price matrix and competitive framework conditions. From the new federal government we expect clear reforms that will drive this transformation forward.
The Volta-X expo is just around the corner and the BVES German Energy Storage Association is involved as a promotional and professional supporter. Why is this event so important for the industry?
Volta-X is an important meeting place for the sector and offers valuable B2B contacts with a high-calibre specialist audience who has a focus on the large industrial/commercial market. It brings suppliers and users together, presents innovative solutions and offers professional support for how to actively shape the energy world of the future. If you want to be one step ahead, you should be there!
What makes the combination of expo and conference at Volta-X so special?
The combination of expo and conference at Volta-X makes the event particularly valuable because it offers participants both practical insights and in-depth specialist knowledge. The latest products and technologies can be experienced first-hand at the exhibition, while the conference provides high-quality information on current trends, challenges and solutions. The synergy of the two creates an ideal platform for networking, knowledge exchange and the development of new co-operations. This gives participants the opportunity to keep up to date with the latest developments in the industry and learn from the best. At the Volta-Xchange conference, top experts from the industry will share their expertise and provide insights into the latest developments. In addition, the companies can present their brand new products, which set an excellent standard. Workshops offer practical solutions and deepen understanding of relevant topics from technology and business.
How important are education and training in preparing skilled workers for the new requirements of the energy sector?
Education and training play a decisive role in preparing well-skilled workers for the changing requirements of the energy sector. The shortage of skilled labour is one of the biggest challenges in the energy sector, but the industry is developing at an above-average rate and offers long-term prospects for qualified specialists. Targeted education and training measures can give specialists the opportunity to grow familiar with the latest technologies and trends. This will not only promote their personal success, but also contributes to the further development of the entire industry and drives the energy transition forward.
What is your personal vision of the future energy industry?
The future of the energy sector is based on a clear goal: strengthen Germany as an industrialised country through a decentralised, digitalised and decarbonised energy system. Energy storage systems form the foundation for the integration of renewable energies and for enabling the flexibility of the entire system. They therefore play a decisive role! Storage systems are the central tool for a decentralised energy system.
We must continue to drive forward the expansion of renewable energies and give users greater freedom, behind the meter, in the customer system – largely without legal restrictions or caps. At the same time, we need a new market design that rewards flexibility and cost efficiency and secures investments in the long term.
Sector coupling must be designed flexibly so that the electricity, heating and mobility sectors are seamlessly connected. Prosumers are at the centre of this: Individual citizens, households and neighbourhoods can join together to form flexible and unbureaucratic energy communities and trade energy freely among themselves.
With these elements, we are creating the basis for a sustainable and more resilient energy system that not only achieves the climate targets, but also remains economically strong.
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