This year's series of events was kicked off by Prof. Dr. Ingo Stadler from the Technical University of Cologne, Markus Mann from MANN Naturenergie, Univ. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Zdrallek from the University of Wuppertal and Kim Viola Kanitz from Greenpeace Energy. After exciting presentations, the participants divided into small groups, where they could exchange ideas with the speakers and exciting discussions arose.

The focus of the Energy Transition Forum this time was:

• Energy storage in sector coupling
• Load management in the wood industry through second-life batteries and bidirectional charging management of delivery vehicles.
• Thermal management planning as a solution approach for urban transformation planning
• Energy-efficient operation of PtG plants using the example of the plants of Greenpeace Energy eG

To achieve climate neutrality, fossil fuels must be replaced by electricity from renewable energies. This requires sector coupling, i.e. the networking of the sectors of the energy industry. Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Zdrallek looked at one sector in particular: "The decarbonization of the heating sector is probably the biggest issue in the context of Energy Transition 2.0."

However, decarbonization also plays a major role in the mobility sector, especially in connection with energy storage systems. Prof. Dr. Ingo Stadler stressed in this regard: "If not now, when? If we approach the big crisis (climate) with anything like the same courage with which we approached the small crisis (Covid), we can do it! We need to stop just talking about transformation and start acting. The technological solutions are ready, now we finally need a regulatory framework that adequately addresses the implementation of energy storage solutions and sector coupling."

There are various ways to realize sector coupling. Power-to-X technologies can be used to transfer electricity to other sectors, thus generating and exploiting synergy effects. Kim Viola Kanitz stated: "Energy-efficient operation of electrolysers ensures that green power, which is still in short supply today, is used effectively, thereby leveraging both systemic and economic potential for renewables."

In addition to sector coupling, system integration also plays an important role in climate neutrality. Power generation and power consumption must become more flexible.

Markus Mann estimated it like this: "For intergenerational justice in climate and resource issues, the bouquet of renewable energies is needed. Every consumer should optimize decentrally and across sectors so that scarce resources are used in an economically optimal way. Load management and optimal integration of renewable electricity and heat into all production and distribution activities are economical for us as well as calculable in the long run, because sun and wind do not write a bill!"

There will be more exciting energy transition forums in the future. The next event will take place on 21.09.2021 will take place. Be there when it comes to the topic of Green hydrogen goes.