The conclusion in advance: For the most part, the energy transition has the tools it needs for implementation. What is lacking, however, are often clear (political and economic) framework conditions for energy suppliers. Without these, (very) large investments in particular have a hard time. On the other hand, the actors with the energy transition in the neighborhood hold a key in their hands that is worth using locally.
The Congress - Climate, Energy, Actors
👉 The 5th Municipal Utilities Congress was excellently organized and thematically broad. This was also reflected in the sponsorship of Swisspower AG, the Swiss Association of Cities, and the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies VSE. As broad as the sponsorship was, the reality of the individual industries was just as different. However, there was agreement that the energy transition needs all hands on deck – and thus a stronger networking of the actors.
🤔 Climate researcher Reto Knutti did not stir up any emotions in his opening presentation by saying that the climate is changing. But he put his finger on a sore point: In the current situation, it is no longer about conveying scientific facts, but about tangible (also economic) models and role models. This requires an open dialogue based on fairness – only in this way will people really support the transformation.
Technology is there, business models are not
🙂. The means for this transformation exist, was another statement by Knutti. But is that true from an economic point of view? Yes, at least according to Tanja Vainio. As Country President Switzerland of Schneider Electric, she also sees the necessary means available and the prerequisites for the implementation of the energy transition as 70 percent fulfilled.
👉 Petra Schöfmann from urban innovation vienna showed where the lever of the energy transition lies in the urban environment: in the neighborhood. Because here, not only do the new lines for district heating networks or digitization have to be renewed, but the key to rapid implementation lies in the networking of actors and energy sources.
Solution lies in the neighborhood
👌 To ensure that this succeeds, enovation offers cities a proven set of methods from participation or user perspective. Listening to the voices from Davos, it is time to finally bring everyone to the table with this well-filled toolbox and start the turnaround.
