You’ve got mail... from the next generation

If young professionals and students could send a direct message regarding the energy transition to any major figure, who would they pick? And what would they say?

Ensuring we nurture, engage with and listen to the next-generation in industry practitioners and leaders is vital for the successful future of the energy sector.

In recognition of this, Heather Johnstone asked a group of young professionals and Master’s Students the following question: “If you had the chance to speak to any current major figure or figures in the European energy transition sector, who would that be and what would you say to them?”. Here’s what they said.

To: Wael Sawan, CEO, Shell plc

From: Mónica Yus Santana, Sub-Project Lead, Offshore Platform, TenneT TSO

Message: I would like to discuss your business perspective and show you that a strong business model based on sustainable energy sources is feasible. For instance, the technology behind the HVDC platform in offshore wind projects is practically the same as the one in oil platforms, while other sources like hydrogen are increasingly shaping the future energy market. We acknowledge that oil and gas companies are major contributors to climate change but we should also consider them as crucial pieces in the puzzle and the ones who can help solve it. Dialogue and cooperation are key.

Energy Transitions Podcast: Europe’s urgent need for flexible balancing power

To: Everyone with influence over Europe’s energy transition

From: Maria Francesca Burger, Honours Double Degree Economics and Philosophy, Erasmus University Rotterdam

Message:

European Energy Transition
What they say, a European mission
Plan to change, a plan to keep the lights on
Perhaps one day, coal and gasoline gone
Quick transition? Quicker they need to be
The fires in France caused my friends to flee
In Germany, the waters didn’t cause much glee
And smog in south Spain didn’t set lungs free
Thought to have many years in front of me
But seeing the last generation’s fee
That accumulated, makes it costly
Killing kids and moms far away softly
My young people are not in power yet
Don’t you dare to forget.

To: Mohammed Chahim, Member of the European Parliament

From: Aleksandra Zarzycka MSc , Consultant – Sustainable Buildings, Royal HaskoningDHV

Message: You’re actively involved in shaping the EU’s vision on sustainability and energy transition. The topic of decoupling the prices of green energy from the energy produced with fossil fuels is being debated in Europe. My questions are: What, in your opinion, would be the impact of this decision on the countries with strong coal dependence, such as Poland? To what extent are the differences between the member states taken into account in the decision-making process of issues such as energy prices?

Berlin’s energy transition strategy and ambitions

To: Hans Kortenweg, Managing Director, COGEN Europe

From: Patrycja Koltowska, Sub-project lead cable, 2GW Program, TenneT

Message: I’m fully supportive of your opinion regarding the ultimate need for energy saving. Nevertheless, while talking about energy saving and transition are we not too focused on ambitious innovative goals and forgetting about easier short-term solutions? Shall we not recognise that one of the quickest ways to decrease EU energy dependence is to make durable reductions in energy consumption? Shall we not put more measurable actions and effort into building renovation (isolation) and try to reduce heating energy consumption? Should member states not be urged to update the national renovation strategies and develop supporting policies? I am curious to know your opinion.

Time to speed up the energy transition says German Energy Agency chief

To: Frans Timmermans, Executive VicePresident, European Commission

From: Charlie van Dijl, Investment Advisor, Energy Investment Management BV

Message: Everything we do costs energy. And so far, all this energy has cost us much. I try to reduce my energy consumption. Yet, I surrender to clothes that are on sale, I give in on airline tickets that take me to places where I am free of worry. I feel that I have become a hypocrite. Where does my responsibility start and when is it passed on to the next player in this exhausting energy exchange? How can we — and I mean all of us, in private and professional form — find a more permanent motivation to take care of our earth?

The energy transition and societal change are interwoven in Rotterdam

To: EU Green Deal Committee

From: Annabel de Gheldere, Sustainable Islands Programme Coordinator, Energy Investment Management BV

Message: European islands are in an excellent position to pioneer the European Green Deal and lead EU’s climate neutrality by 2050. There are over 2000 EU islands, abundant in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, wave, and tide. When island resources are combined with energy efficiency and flexibility solutions, microgrids, and storage, strong decarbonised local energy systems can be created. However, achieving these objectives cannot be addressed on a mere island-level basis. The European Commission and islands must collaborate to identify common solutions and best practices for replacing fossil fuel subsidies with sustainable alternatives and incentivising clean investment in islands.

Energy Transitions Podcast: Reforming Europe’s energy market

To: Francesco Starace, CEO, Enel

From: Tomas Havranek, Economics and Climate Solutions Master’s Student, St Gallen University

Message: Time is swiftly approaching when even the most effective climate policy will not be able to avert unimaginable disaster. However, any solutions will inevitably take place one innovation at a time. While your company has contributed notably in this regard by embracing sustainable development, even more daring risk-taking will be crucial in what is to come next. Not only that, but few possess the same resources required to test and push boundaries to the same extent, necessary for sufficient progress. Progress that would enable you to inspire others and lead the industry towards a brighter, genuinely sustainable tomorrow.

Five digital innovators impacting the energy transition

To: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine

From: Viktoriia Neiman, Public Policy Researcher, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator, USAID Democratic Governance in the Eastern Ukraine project

Message: You are now one of the most influential figures in the European energy transition sector because the Russian aggression in Ukraine has made Europe rethink its approach toward energy and fully understand the political aspect of it. The bravery and decisiveness you’ve shown have helped to prove that energy can be not only a part of economic growth but also a reason for manipulation and pressure on political leaders. Winter 2022/2023 has been an unprecedented challenge for Europeans. Still, hopefully, it will teach everyone an important lesson and help diversify energy sources and increase the energy independence of European states.

The talent challenge: How to attract a skilled workforce for the energy transition

To: Every politician with influence over energy matters in their country or at the EU level

From: Maksym Semenyuk , Senior Consultant, Energy Markets & Strategy, Energy Systems, DNV Netherlands BV

Message: We know that the European energy transition focuses on three key principles: Security; Affordability; and Sustainability. My only wonder today is how far are EU leaders willing to go in sacrificing the affordability and sustainability in favour of security? This winter, would you be prepared to put aside the populism, promising your electorate access to clean and affordable energy, and clearly articulate that at the moment energy security is the priority number one, implying that a) nuclear, coal and gas will have to come back on the stage; and b) the prices for consumers will rise at an unprecedented level?