Expansion of the grid is completely underestimated' says Karim Amin

In an Enlit exclusive, the Siemens Energy Executive Vice-President for Gas Services Karim Amin reveals key actions to accelerate the energy transition.

What are the top three challenges in delivering the energy transition?

Fundamental changes are taking place:  The geopolitical balance is shifting with a clear influence on global energy security. Eventually, the world that will emerge from the renewable energy transition will be very different from the one built on a foundation of fossil fuels.

Countries need to achieve energy sovereignty, therefore, three things are crucial:

1. More diversity in the energy system;
2. Faster implementation of the energy transition, and;
3. A massive expansion of infrastructure and storage capabilities.

The energy transition will require worldwide investments of about €50 trillion by 2040. Additional funding is needed to compensate for the impacts of the war against Ukraine.

The economic developments and ecological requirements have to be reconciled against the need for energy security. This is what Siemens Energy stands for. We ensure that society is supplied with affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.

Businesses, politics, and society need to work together to create a new and sustainable energy landscape. To balance the energy trilemma global partnerships are needed. This must be built upon and maintained, not only in relation to geopolitical crises but also in addressing the energy transition and achieving net zero climate goals.

Despite challenges, energy security will move the world in the right direction. It will contribute to making most countries energy independent. It will provide emerging markets with the resources they need to develop their economies – all while keeping global temperatures from rising more than two degrees.

How fast and how ‘equitably’ the energy transition happens is the biggest challenge of our time. 

View more content from Karim Amin:
Karim Amin: Five uncomfortable truths about the energy transition
Energy Transitions Podcast: Interview with Karim Amin of Siemens Energy
Enlit Europe’s Kelvin Ross talks to Siemens Energy’s Executive Vice-President of Generation, Karim Amin

What single action will accelerate the deployment of renewable generation?

The expansion of renewables cannot be driven forward with a singular measure, it requires a mix of measures and actors:

1. Climate change is a global problem. Governments around the globe need to develop common goals, share knowledge, and ensure that innovative technologies developed in one country are quickly transferred to others.
2. We need to continue to expand renewable energy massively while switching from coal to gas as quickly as possible.
3. Expanding power grids is also an essential piece of the puzzle as well as increasing efficiency and electrification in hard-to-abate sectors.
4. We also need to scale up disruptive technologies, which we need to get to net zero. These include solutions for energy efficiency, hydrogen-based fuels, carbon capture, and storage.
5. Cross-sector cooperation is key. Today, more than ever before, we must work together to find solutions. Technology is not the issue. We need alliances or networks for innovation. Creating an enabling ecosystem of expertise and resources can help bring down the cost of climate technologies, thus accelerating the energy transition.

What excites you most about the European energy transition?

The European energy system and its transition are exciting in many ways.

Firstly, we need to adapt the European energy system to a more volatile world and at the same time ensure it is sustainable, reliable, and affordable. European companies are at the forefront of environmental and resource-efficient production.

However, there is not yet a model to achieve the expansion targets for renewable energies until 2030 in such a way that they pay off for plant owners. It needs to be discussed how a European energy system could look that allows the expansion of renewables and at the same time keeps costs for producers and consumers in check.

Last but not least, the expansion of the grid is completely underestimated now. A good and stable grid is the key to the energy transition and essential for a secure supply. Strong and stable grids can always direct excess electricity to where it is needed. And if you add storage capacity to the equation, the grid can help compensate for fluctuations.

How are industry experts from Siemens Energy going to address these challenges at Enlit Europe in Frankfurt?

For us at Siemens Energy is very relevant to address the energy transition and its challenges in a holistic way. We will discuss with other industry leaders and customers the right energy mix for Europe, and how Europe’s transition to net zero can be accelerated while ensuring energy security, affordability, and sustainability.

Visitors of Enlit Europe can learn in technological deep dives how we support our customers with low or zero-emissions energy generation, and how to design reliable, sustainable, and decentralized digital grids.

Together with our customer Wien Energy we will talk about one of our flagship projects, at the Donaustadt power plant. that has been recently upgraded for a test with shares of hydrogen.

Last but not least, in collaboration with our partners, we will also present sector coupling in action and how the city of Leipzig plans to become climate neutral in its energy supply.

Siemens Energy will take part in many exciting hub sessions at Enlit Europe in Frankfurt, 29 November – 1 December 2022, covering topics including:

• Decentralisation
• Digitalisation
• Decarbonisation

More Future Energy Perspectives from Siemens Energy experts:
How disruptive service solutions will re-energize power plants
Managing change to reach a decarbonised energy system
Safeguarding the stability of the grid