What are the biggest challenges of the energy transition from the point of view of an established company? Christoph Frei, CEO of the World Energy Council: We have seen many changes in the context of the global energy transition that have accelerated in a very dynamic way and that is obviously a such important challenge.
Where do you see the biggest challenges and maybe opportunities in the German ‘Energiewende’? Christoph Frei, CEO of the World Energy Council: Without open markets that have exactly allowed this type of learning curve acceleration we do not see the innovation we need to get close to the 2-degree-celsius-world and that is obviously a masterpiece where Germany has paid a big contribution and we should be grateful.
How do you see Europe's role in energy transition compared to the United States and China? Christoph Frei, CEO of the World Energy Council: Europe in terms of its infrastructure already has a very mature infrastructure. That doesn’t mean there is not a lot of work needed, but in terms of the maturity of the infrastructure it has good starting position. Now in terms of the whole technology startup segment – that are areas where China is very aggressive, the whole renewable learning curve acceleration comes really from China.
Do startups and established companies have different perspectives on the challenges of energy transition? CEO of the World Energy Council, Christoph Frei: The innovators are not much interested in commodity price volatility, which is obviously explained to there even greater focus on renewables. On the other hand the innovators are even more focused on things like digitalization.
