Grid Forum 2024

Thursday, 5 September 2024 in the Museum of Transport Lucerne

At the 9th Swissgrid Grid Forum, renowned speakers will discuss the subject of «Transformation of the energy system – where do we stand?» under the moderation of Nicole Frank.

Transformation of the energy system – where do we stand?

Switzerland has set itself the goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050. As far as wind, solar and electricity grid expansion are concerned, the transformation of the energy system is in full swing.

We are facing a multitude of challenges:

Trnasformation during ongoing operation: security of supply must be always guaranteed in a constantly changing system.
Paradigm shift in grid planning: the increase in decentralised electricity prodution requires modifications to the current grid planning methods for the transmission and distribution grids.
New technologies and innovations: it must be possible to use weather-dependent, flexible electricity production efficiently and in a way that benefits the system.
Scarce resources: major renovation and expansion projects throughout Europe are competing for labour, capital and materials.

How can we overcome these challenges together? And where do we currently stand on the path to a sustainable energy system? We will discuss these and other questions with nationally and internationally renowned speakers. Nicole Frank (Nicole Frank Kommunikation) will host the event.

We look forward to an exciting event and to numerous participants!

Agenda

9.00 a.m.	Reception and coffee
Block I: «Changing framework conditions»
9.30 a.m.	Welcome and Swissgrid news
9.50 a.m.	Keynote: Political framework conditions in Switzerland
10.10 a.m.	Keynote: Political framework conditions in Europe
10.30 a.m.	Panel discussion: «Changing framework conditions – effects on grid and supply security»
11.00 a.m.	Coffee break
Block II: «Challenges for the transmission system»
11.30 a.m.	Keynotes: Trends of transmission system operators in Europe responding to changing framework conditions
11.50 p.m.	Panel discussion: «Cybersecurity as a joint task for all the players in the electricity system»
12.30 p.m.	Stand-up lunch
Block III: «TSO-DSO interfaces»
1.45 p.m.	Panel discussion: «Transformation of the energy system – Why should grid operators work together?»
2.15 p.m.	Panel discussion: «Innovation in grid operation»
2.45 p.m.	Coffee break
Block IV: «Sustainability – responsibility and necessity»
3.15 p.m.	Keynote: Climate protection measures in the transmission system
3.35 p.m.	Panel discussion: «Sustainable grid construction»
Conclusion
4.00 p.m.	Summary and conclusion
4.15 – 6.30 p.m.	Aperetif and networking

Speakers

Doris Barnert has a degree in architecture from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich with a Master's degree in Corporate Finance and an Executive MBA from the University of St.Gallen (HSG). After her first positions in the architecture sector, she joined the infrastructure division of SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) in 2001, where she held various management and project leadership positions. In 2006, she was appointed Head of Finances for the western Swiss route in the infrastructure division and was responsible for the financial steering and management of all business units for the route in Romandie. In December 2008, she joined Solothurner Spitäler AG as director of Finances (CFO) and member of the Executive Board. In this position, she built up, expanded and made a significant impact on the finance department, constantly pushing for further development. Since April 2017 Doris Barnert is a member of the Executive Board and Head of Corporate Services / CFO of Swissgrid.

Antonella Battaglini is the CEO of the Renewables Grid Initiative-RGI, which she founded in 2009. RGI is a unique collaboration of NGOs and TSOs from across Europe, promoting transparent, environmentally sensitive grid development to enable steady growth of renewable energy and the energy transition. In addition, Antonella has been an expert member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Clean Electrification and of the European Commission Interconnection Target Group. For many years, Antonella has also held the position of senior scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).

Dr Dirk Biermann is the executive director responsible for the Operations Department at 50Hertz. Between 2012 and 2023, he held the position of Chief Markets and System Operations Officer. Before joining the management team, he acted as proxy for the company and was Head of Energy Management at 50Hertz. As such, he was responsible for the company's energy trading activities, which also includes ancillary services, EEG affairs and balancing group management as well as market development and congestion management. In 1999, Dr Biermann joined VEAG, as it was called at the time. He later moved on to the Vattenfall Europe Holding in 2002, where he took up a leading position in the Grid Strategy Department in 2004.

Hans-Peter Burgener graduated in electrical engineering from ETH Zurich. He completed his doctorate in the field of fibre-reinforced insulation materials. After his research work, he moved into industry. At Nexans Schweiz AG, he was initially Head of Power Cable Engineering before becoming responsible for project engineering. He and his team worked on projects that included equipping major railway tunnels and laying submarine cables. He joined the EnBAG Group in 2007. As Head of Technology and a member of the Management Board, he was in charge of production and the grid for five years. In 2013, he took over the management of the EnBAG Group. Hans-Peter Burgener has been a member of FMV’s Executive Board since autumn 2022 and is responsible for the Grids department. He is also Managing Director of Valgrid, the grid operator of the interregional 65-kV grid in the Valais.

Matthias Finger is an Emeritus Professor at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL, since 2020), a Professor at Istanbul Technical University (Istanbul, Türkiye, since 2018), and a Part-time Professor at the European University Institute (Florence, Italy, since 2010). After having been Assistant Professor at Syracuse University, New York (1989-1991) and Associate Professor at Columbia University, New York (1992-1994), Matthias Finger appointed Professor at the Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration in Lausanne in 1995. Between 2002 and 2020 he held the Swiss Post Chair in Management of Network Industries at EPFL. Over his career he has specialized in policy and regulation of infrastructures (network industries) in the areas of communications, energy, and transport. More recently, he is applying his expertise to what he calls the «new network industries», i.e., digital platforms, data spaces and digital infrastructures more generally. Matthias is the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Journal Competition and Regulation in Network Industries, the Deputy Director of the Florence School of Regulation’s Transport Area, and the Director of the Istanbul Center for Regulation. He received his Ph.D. in Political Science in 1988 and a Ph.D. in Education in 1986, both from the University of Geneva.

Adrian Häsler is a graduate electrical engineer (dipl. Elektroingenieur HTL) and has an Executive MBA from the University of St.Gallen. He started his career at the Kraftwerke Oberhasli AG (KWO) as the Head of Operational Management. In 2000, he became the Head of the Secondary Systems department at Nordostschweizerische Kraftwerke AG (NOK). In this position, he was responsible for the design, project development and realisation of substation projects in the area of security, control, measurement and monitoring. From 2007 onwards, Häsler was a member of the Hydroenergy Division management at Axpo Power AG and Head of the Technical Support business unit, which was responsible for the planning, construction and maintenance of hydroelectric plants. Adrian Häsler joined Swissgrid in April 2017. On 3 April 2019, he was appointed Member of the Executive Board and Head of Grid Infrastructure.

Marc Henauer is Head of the Managerial Staff Office for International Affairs at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). Prior to that, he was Head of the MELANI section at the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS). Until 2010, he worked at the Directorate for Analysis and Prevention (DAP) as an economic and cybercrime analyst, and later became Head of the MELANI/CYCO section. He studied economics at the University of Zurich, and media and communications management at the University of St. Gallen. Marc Henauer holds a Master of Arts in Foreign Service and National Security Studies from Georgetown University, Washington DC.

Gregor Martinovic studied electrical engineering and communication technology at BFH in Biel. He began his professional career at senergy ag, where he was employed as an application developer. In this role, he worked on ERP systems, 3D designs, embedded solutions and software and hardware developments in the field of electrical and control engineering. He co-founded Virtual Global Systems AG in 2014. In this position, he played a decisive role in the pre-qualification of one of the first virtual power plants in Switzerland for the control energy market. During his four years as CTO and member of the Executive Board, he was largely responsible for the technical development and establishment of the control energy pool. He co-founded Virtual Global Trading AG (VGT) in 2018. As CTO and member of the Executive Board, he oversees VGT’s technological strategy and vision. He is in charge of the technological development of the VGT platform, a digital ecosystem for the energy sector.

Matthias Mölter is an engineer for energy systems technology and has been Sustainability Manager at Amprion since 2022. He specialises in ESG ratings (gap analysis, policy development) and is largely responsible for the excellent rating results. As one of the four German electricity transmission system operators, Amprion distributes electricity over a grid covering 11,000 kilometres – from the North Sea to the Alps. The company is paving the way for a climate-friendly energy system, making sustainability part of our core business and guiding our entrepreneurial actions.

Remo Niffeler holds a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in industrial engineering. He has also undergone further training in the areas of management and security management. He began his professional career as an electrician in the energy-intensive paper and steel industry. In 2012, he moved to CKW, where he initially worked in grid protection and grid management. In 2013, he took on tasks related to control systems, and was responsible for system development and programming as a specialist in transmission system management. In 2018, he was appointed Head of Grid Communications. In this capacity, he was in charge of establishing CKW’s OT Security Centre. He has been Information Security Officer for the CKW Group since 1 August 2024.

Dieter Reichelt has headed the Distribution Division at Axpo since 2008, is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Axpo Systems Ltd and President of Electrosuisse. From 2003 to 2008, he was Director of Technical Operations in Kreuzlingen. Prior to this, he held management positions at NOK. Dieter Reichelt has been a lecturer at ETH Zurich since 1995. He studied electrical engineering at ETH Zurich and completed a doctorate in the field of power transmission grids.

Nell Reimann holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from EPFL and an Executive MBA in Management and Corporate Finance from the University of Lausanne. She started her professional career at EOS, where she was in charge of grid calculations and operational planning. In 2009, Nell Reimann joined Alpiq as Head of the Lines department. In 2013 she took responsibility for the engineering department and for the operation and control of the high-voltage grid at Romande Energie. Nell Reimann joined Swissgrid in 2016 as Head of System Development. In January 2019, she took over the management of the Aarau and Prilly command centres as Head of System Operations and deputised for the Head of Business Unit Market. Since 1 July 2023, Nell Reimann is a member of the Executive Board as Head of Market.

Benoît Revaz is Director of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE). He holds a degree in law and also earned an Executive Master of Science in Communications Management in post-graduate studies at the Università della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano. From 2014 to 2016, he was Senior Advisor at E-CUBE Strategy Consultants, a consulting firm specialising in energy and environmental issues. Previously he held various functions in the former Entreprises Electriques Fribourgeoises (now Groupe E). He was also a member of the Executive Boards of EOS Holding and Alpiq Holding AG.

Martin van 't Verlaat is Chief Technology Officer of Equigy’s crowd balancing platform. Equigy is a joint venture founded by 6 European transmission system operators with the mission to lower the barriers for distributed energy resources to participate in existing electricity markets. With over 15 years of experience in the utilities sector, Martin combines a strategic IT view with a solid electricity market acumen and uses this combination to drive innovative solutions in the energy transition. Before joining Equigy, Martin held several professional and managerial positions related to digital transformation and data management. He started his career in IT consultancy, with a focus on public sector and Utilities. Martin van 't Verlaat holds a master in business administration from the Radboud University Nijmegen and a bachelor in information science from The Hague University of Applied Sciences.

Cornelia Wolf has a Master’s degree in economics from the University of Zurich and a postgraduate degree in environmental engineering from the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland. She worked in consulting for several years, setting up and participating in various projects in the areas of renewable energy, greenhouse gases and water supply. She then held several line and programme management positions at the Alpiq Group for 16 years. This enabled her to build up extensive expertise in sustainability, energy management and energy services. Cornelia Wolf has been responsible for sustainability management at EKZ since 1 July 2023.

Konrad Zöschg is a telecommunications engineer (HTL) who is also a trained industrial engineer (FH) and certified IT manager. He began his professional career in 2000 as a customer application engineer at Acterna in Zurich. After holding various positions at Acterna and its successor company, Nexus Telecom AG, he joined Unique (Flughafen Zürich AG) as a senior communication architect in 2005. In 2008, Konrad Zöschg became Head of Communication Engineering at Flughafen Zürich AG, and in 2010 he took on the role of Head of the Aviation Competence Center. After being made Head of ICT/CIO in 2014, he was responsible for the entire IT department of Flughafen Zürich AG, a critical infrastructure in a very complex environment with one of the broadest ICT portfolios in Switzerland. In 2020, he received the Swiss CIO Award as best CIO of the year. Konrad Zöschg was appointed CIO of Swissgrid on 1 August 2021.

Yves Zumwald is an electrical engineer who launched his long career in the energy industry in 1993 at Energie Ouest Suisse (EOS). After a spell as National Electrical Design Manager at Orange Communications, he returned to EOS Holding in 2002 when he took on responsibility for grid usage and access. Following this, he headed the Infrastructure department as a member of the Executive Board at EOS Réseau from 2005. Yves Zumwald took over management of the sales department and joined the Executive Board at the Romande Energie group in September 2009. In this capacity he made a significant contribution to the development and optimisation of the department while guaranteeing outstanding quality of supply. Yves Zumwald joined Swissgrid in January 2014 as a member of the Executive Board and Head of Grid. In March 2016 the Board of Directors has appointed him as CEO of Swissgrid.

Presentations

50Hertz, Challenges for the transmission system – the example set by 50Hertz, Dr. Dirk Biermann

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SFOE, Political conditions in switzerland, Benoît Revaz

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EPFL, The political framework conditions in Europe, Matthias Finger (Professor Emeritus)

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Renewables Grid Initiative, Winds of change in the transmission system, Antonella Battaglini

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Grid Forum 2024

Thursday, 5 September 2024 in the Museum of Transport Lucerne

Topics on this page

Transformation of the energy system – where do we stand?

Agenda

Speakers

Doris Barnert (Head of Corporate Services / CFO, Swissgrid)

Antonella Battaglini (CEO, Renewables Grid Initiative)

Dr Dirk Biermann (Director, 50Hertz)

Hans-Peter Burgener (Director Grid, FMV)

Matthias Finger (Emeritus Professor, EPFL)

Adrian Häsler (Head of Grid Infrastructure, Swissgrid)

Marc Henauer (Responsible for international relations and partners, National Cyber Security Centre NCSC)

Gregor Martinovic (CTO, Virtual Global Trading)

Matthias Mölter (Sustainability Management Officer, Amprion GmbH)

Remo Niffeler (Information Security Officer, CKW)

Dieter Reichelt (Head of the Distribution Division, Axpo)

Nell Reimann (Head of Market, Swissgrid)

Benoît Revaz (Director, Swiss Federal Office of Energy SFOE)

Martin van 't Verlaat (Chief Technology Officer, Equigy)

Cornelia Wolf (Sustainability Manager, Elektrizitätswerke der Kantons Zürich)

Konrad Zöschg (Head of Technology, Swissgrid)

Yves Zumwald (CEO, Swissgrid)

Presentations

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