Green fixes for the planet? They're here

The technology exists today that can help us shrink carbon emissions, prevent dangerous climate change and use energy more wisely. The real challenge in achieving those goals lies more with implementing the right technologies to the right degree … that, and finding ways to pay for those technologies.

That’s one of the key messages to be delivered this week during Siemens’ three-day Green Technology Theatre, part of the European Future Energy Forum (EFEF) taking place in London. The EFEF, which runs Tuesday through Thursday, is a programme of Masdar, a major Abu Dhabi project to develop and commercialise innovative technologies in renewable energies.

As a technology company working in everything from green transport and efficient lighting to alternative energy and the smart grid, Siemens has scheduled a series of presentations throughout the EFEF aimed at highlighting solutions for today’s pressing and global sustainability challenges. Among the speakers set to appear:

• Stefan Denig, Head of Corporate Communications – Issue Management at Siemens AG in Munich, who will speak about “Sustainable Cities” and provide an overview of Siemens’ European Green City Index;
• Colin Henry, Business Development Manager for Siemens Transmission and Distribution Ltd., and Martin Pollock, Director of Siemens Metering Services, who will examine who are the people and organisations driving the agenda for reducing emissions and using energy more wisely;
• Gordon Wakeford, Managing Director of Siemens Mobility in the UK, who will discuss how “Complete Mobility” can provide a sustainable solution to the inexorable global demand for increased mobility;
• Stephen Barker, Head of Energy Efficiency & Environmental Care for the Siemens Industry Sector UK, who will review a “Best Practice Approach To Energy, Cost & Carbon Reduction”;
• Dave Ellis, National Sales Manager of the Specification Team for OSRAM, Siemens’ lighting arm. Ellis will discuss energy-saving solutions for lighting, which currently accounts for 19 per cent of the globe’s electricity consumption;
• Phil Skipper, Head of Siemens’ eCar programme for the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, Holland and the Baltic states. Skipper will focus on “E Mobility: A technology revolution or revolutionising the way we think about travel”;
• Ian Ellis, Marketing Manager for the Controls, Products & Systems division of Siemens Building Technologies, whose topic will be “Green Buildings”;
• Dr. Hermann Kremer, who works in Siemens’ Energy Sector/New Technologies and will lead a presentation on carbon capture and storage to decarbonise coal- and gas-fired power plants;
• Kevin Worster, Cities Account Director for Siemens plc, who will discuss “Sustainable Cities: Planning for tomorrow today with sustainable infrastructure solutions”;
• Matthew Knight, Head of Business Development for Siemens Transmission and Distribution Ltd., whose topic will be “The Offshore Wind Power Revolution”;
• Simon Corbett, Head of Sales at Siemens Commercial Finance UK, and Stephen Ellison, CEO for Structured Finance within SFS Commercial Finance, Europe and Asia, who will provide an overview of how proper financing can encourage the acquisition of energy-efficient equipment and enable the implementation of green projects;
• Steve Barker, who works with Siemens Information Solutions and Services, and will talk about “IT for Sustainability”;
• Professor Dr. Christian C Juckenack, Senior Consultant on Desertpower for Siemens AG, Renewable Energy Division, who will examine “Power from Deserts: From Vision to Solution – Siemens Competence and Contribution”; and
• Dr. Tony Lewis, Director of the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre in Cork, who will review technologies for both wave and  tidal marine power.