Energy Day Hanover 2023: Out of fossil fuels, fit for the future!

Rising energy prices, increasing CO2 taxes and, last but not least, the growing awareness that everyone must make a contribution to the energy transition in order to achieve the climate goal of CO neutrality: The entrepreneurs in the Hannover Region are also making this clear. The Hannover Energy Day organized by hannoverimpuls and Sparkasse Hannover for companies is fully booked despite the summer temperatures.

Regenerative energy use: a competitive advantage

"High energy costs are a major uncertainty factor for companies. We advise each company individually as to which subsidies are best suited to cushion the necessary investment in renewable energy supply," explains hostDorisPetersen, Managing Director of hannoverimpuls, who particularly emphasizes the image and competitive advantages for companies that are now focusing on sustainability.

Energy is on the agenda for all companies

HostMarinaBarth, Deputy Chairwoman of the Management Board of Sparkasse Hannover, also made it clear that energy has not only been on the corporate agenda since the war in Ukraine. Sparkasse Hannover itself is setting a good example as a company and has been able to save around half of its energy requirements since 2012 thanks to its energy management: "Sustainability is an issue that you have to stay on top of. We support our customers in the necessary transformation at eye level."

Switching to renewables: but how?

Electricity will continue to come from the socket in the future, as moderator AndreaMasurek, Project Manager Industry Development at hannoverimpuls GmbH, vividly summarizes in her introduction. But who will produce it and how? What do photovoltaics, wind energy, geothermal energy or hydrogen have to offer in order to ensure a sustainable and efficient energy supply for companies? What savings can companies make and how can they benefit from state subsidies and incentives?

Advice & funding opportunities

The joint Energy Day organized by hannoverimpuls and Sparkasse Hannover provided an overview of the possibilities of sustainable energy supply and use. Following the stage program with experts and innovative start-ups from the region, interested parties took the opportunity to clarify their individual questions in one-on-one discussions. Contact persons and funding opportunities such as enercity's ProKlima funding program provide support right from the energy-efficient renovation of buildings.

The first step: creating your own carbon footprint

Active climate protection also starts with companies analyzing their own consumption. Energy consultants, for example from the Climate Protection and Energy Agency of Lower Saxony or the Climate Protection Agency of the Hannover Region, are happy to provide support. The professionals help to take a holistic view of the company. It is not uncommon for companies to discover that heat generation is responsible for the greatest consumption.

Hydrogen is not the only solution

"Hydrogen will certainly not be available in this sector in the next 20 years," Dr.Jens Clausen, co-founder of the Boderstep Institute for Innovation and Sustainability gGmbH, makes clear - and calls on politicians to introduce an industrial electricity price. Producing electricity yourself? Companies with large roof areas should definitely use them for photovoltaics - and a small wind turbine can also be an ideal addition to tomorrow's energy mix, especially in the winter months, if the location is right. This is explained byGunterStegemann, energy consultant at the Hanover Chamber of Crafts and project manager of the SME initiative Energiewende und Klimaschutz, andJoachimSroka, 2nd Chairman of the Federal Association of Small Wind Turbines BVKW e. V., in their short presentations.

Using renewable energies? The potential is there

Geothermal heat pumps, which use geothermal energy up to 400 meters below the surface, can also be an exciting alternative in the Hanover region, as SandraPester from theLower Saxony Geothermal Service (LBEG) makes clear. After a high installation price, the system reliably supplies energy at a constant level. The use of waste heat generated in the company can also supplement the energy mix.

The solutions for tomorrow are individual

One thing is clear to everyone today: there is no one solution for everyone. But there is a lot of potential for the necessary transformation process. The participating entrepreneurs have already made a start today.