Shaping the future of energy
On August 28, the first German-Czech Energy Forum took place at the HSZG in Görlitz.
Current issues and challenges in European energy policy at the level of the Czech Republic and the Free State of Saxony were the focus of a cross-border German-Czech Energy Forum held on August 28. The event, held on the Görlitz campus of the HSZG, brought together representatives from politics, public administration, local governments, energy economics, and trade associations from the Czech Republic and Saxony.
The goal of the Energy Forum was to support efforts to realign European energy policy. The event was moderated by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Kratzsch, the Rector of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. The goal is to establish this format as a tradition and to foster a constructive dialogue between key representatives from the Czech Republic and Germany, which will also include the Republic of Poland in the future. This initiative is particularly important for the Federal Republic of Germany and all of Europe and is strongly supported by Michael Kretschmer, Minister-President of the Free State of Saxony.
Green Deal – Prospects and Challenges
The Minister-President delivered the opening remarks for the first part of the event, which focused on the so-called Green Deal.
The Green Deal prioritizes increasing the competitiveness and resilience of EU economies on the path to climate neutrality by 2050. Affordable energy prices and security of supply are viewed as a key location factor for the transformation of our economy.
How is the Green Deal perceived in Germany and the Czech Republic? And what opportunities does it offer for economic growth, innovation, and productivity? In their welcoming remarks and keynote speeches , guests such as Věra Kovářová, Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, and Ines Fröhlich, State Secretary at the SMWA, shed light on various perspectives and challenges of this increasingly significant European concept.
The German-Czech Energy Forum at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences provided an excellent opportunity to discuss the current challenges and prospects of European energy policy at the regional level. It is of great importance that local residents make their needs clear. For us Germans and Saxons, looking to our neighbors when it comes to energy supply is refreshing; we can learn how to implement the energy transition with a sense of proportion and an eye on energy prices.
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Secure and affordable energy
In the second part of the Energy Forum, sustainable solutions and practical examples of the Green Deal were outlined in detail. In specialist presentations, Prof. Thomas von Unwerth, CEO of HZwo, and Petr Mervart, Head of the Czech Republic's Hydrogen Strategy Department at the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade, presented the role and benefits of hydrogen for the future of energy.
The Free State of Saxony and the Czech Republic would like to further intensify their cooperation in the development of a hydrogen infrastructure and the use of hydrogen. To this end, a joint declaration of intent was signed by the Saxon State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor and Transport (SMWA) and the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade (SMEKUL) in Dresden in January.
The following specialist presentations were given at the first German-Czech Energy Forum:
Lecture on the topic of hydrogen
- Prof. Thomas von Unwerth, Chairman of the Board of HZwo
- Petr Mervart, Head of the Czech Republic's Hydrogen Strategy Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic
Lecture on the topic of nuclear power
- Adam Peteřík, SUAS Group
- Dr. Sören Kliem, Helmholz-Zentrum Dresden Rossendorf HZDR
Practical example of lithium mining
- Ladislav Stepanek, Chairman of the Management Board GEOMET
- Marko Uhlig, Managing Director Zinnwald Lithium GmbH
Practical example of renewable energies Gigawattfactory
- Dr. Maren Jasper-Winter, Head of Public Affairs LEAG
Practical example of district heating
- Sacha Caron, Authorized signatory Stadtwerke Görlitz
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