Innovation Week 2016: The Age of Renewable Power
About
Falling technology costs, mounting investments and renewable energy capacity additions outpacing nuclear and fossil energy are all signals that the global transition towards a renewable power sector is underway. To accelerate this growth, electricity systems worldwide must transition to frameworks that embrace new business models and promote the deployment of innovative technologies.
IRENA’s Innovation Week was a first-of-its-kind event gathering the industrial and political frontrunners to present, discuss and explore innovative solutions within this year’s theme – “The Age of Renewable Power”. The focus of discussions was on how technological innovations, operational innovation and systemic innovations in policy, regulation and business, interact and re-enforce each other contributing to power system transformation.
Presentations
Plenary Sessions
Innovations do not happen in a vacuum, but rather feed into one another. Technology innovations allow for innovations in business models and operational practices, whilst ambitious and innovative policies and regulation can trigger new technical and operational innovations.
The plenary session allow a platform for innovation leaders to share their expectations on innovative solutions for the power sector transformation. The sessions are designed to provide a holistic perspective on innovation, and examine how developments in policies, business models, regulation, operations, and technologies interact and can reinforce each other.
Renewable Energy Policy
Market Design
Business Models
“Business Models” - Dipal C. Barua, Bright Green Energy Foundation
Renewable Energy Grid Services
Smart Grids
“Renewably-fueled Power Systems: Grid Innovations” - Ernst Scholtz, ABB
21st Century Grid
“Global Energy Interconnection” - Lei Xianzhang, SGCC
Energy Storage
“Energy Storage - Future Potential” - Michael Salomon, Clean Horizon
Remote Systems
“Solar Homes and Business Systems: The Future of Rural Electrification” - Thomas Duveau, Mobisol
Control Options
“Challenges of RES Integration” - Olivier Feix, 50 Hertz
“Big Data”
“Operational Innovation” - Arash Aazami, Beyond Boundaries
Consumer engagement
“Customer engagement to support renewable energies & energy efficiency” - Sandra Trittin, TIKO
Demand Response
“The California Experience” - Eric Schmidt, California Independent System Operator
Virtual Power Plants
Deepdive Sessions
The deepdive sessions are designed to allow policy makers and technical experts to discuss the latest developments on specific topics in interactive sessions. The deepdives are facilitated by technical experts through one or more partner organisations, and covers the latest developments, key players, opportunities and barriers, and expectations.
“COP21: Electric Vehicles (transition) and Renewable Energy” - Bert Witkamp, AVERE
“Technology pathways and policies for electric mobility in Europe and Asia” - Tilman Altenburg, DIE
“Innovation in Energy Storage for Renewables Integration” - Yoshiaki Shibata, IEEJ
“Energy Storage and Electric Vehicles” - Takatsune Ito, IRENA
“HVDC Technology for Electric Highways” - Peter Lundberg, Friends of Supergrid
“Panel Electric Highways” - Michael Schneider, Siemens
“Smart grid technologies” - Jochen Kreusel, ABB
“IEC International Standardization in LVDC for Electric Highways” - Vinal Mahendru, Legrand-India
“The Future Grid: Electric Highways” - Jennifer DeCesaro, IRENA
“e-Highway 2050 as an example” - Jochen Kreusel, ABB
“Energy system modelling and planning” - Theodor Connor, Technical Chair, CIRED, Siemens
“Energy systems modelling for renewable energy integration and policy design” - Tobias Fichtner, DLR
Videos and pictures
Event Recap: IRENA Innovation Week 2016
Recap video of IRENA's inaugural Innovation Week event, held 11-13 May, 2016.
Programme
| time | sessions | |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 |
Bonn: Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur)
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| time | sessions | |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 |
Opening speach by IRENA
Opening speach by Host Country
Q & A
90 min |
|
| 10:00 |
High-Level Panel 2 More than 90% of the growth in future electricity demand will occur in non-OECD countries. In the panel discussion on “Renewables for Growth”, IRENA has invited high-level government officials to share their vision on the opportunities and challenges they foresee in deploying renewables to satisfy future demand, and which technological, operational, and systemic innovations are needed to address any problems or enable these opportunities. 90 min |
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| 11:30 |
Coffee break |
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| 12:00 |
Plenary II: Systemic Innovation Systemic innovation covers major institutional changes needed in the governance structures, business and finance models, and regulatory regimes that determine the day-to-day practices of utilities and technology providers operating in the electricity sector. 90 min |
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| 13:30 |
Lunch break |
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| 14:30 |
Group Discussions I: Opportunities and Challenges This group will explore the renewable energy innovations and international cooperation in the context of mature electricity systems with low growth in electricity demand. Key aspects to be considered are the innovations related to the integration of high share of variable renewable energy into existing systems, as well as innovations to support sector-coupling between the electricity sector and the heat sector, electricity uses in transport, industrial applications, and residential and commercial buildings. Specific emphasis will be paid on the implications of new renewable power generation capacity on existing utilities with conventional power generation technologies, and how different systemic, technological and operational innovations can be used to ensure a smooth transition. Existing and future opportunities for collaboration on research, development, and demonstration projects will be examined, and how these can be matched with relevant innovation needs in other constituencies 120 min |
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| 16:30 | Coffee break | |
| 17:00 | 60 min | |
| 19:00 | Evening Reception: KunstMuseum Bonn | |
| time | sessions | |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 |
Plenary IV: Technological Innovation Technologies continue to involve in terms of costs, performance, and functionality. The introduction of information- and telecommunication technologies into electricity systems add another layer of new opportunities. 90 min |
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| 10:30 |
Coffee break |
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| 11:00 |
The Future Grid: Smart Mini and Microgrids
120 min |
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| 13:00 |
Lunch break |
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| 14:00 |
The Future Grid: Electric Highways 120 min |
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| 16:00 | Coffee break | |
| 16:30 |
Energy Systems Modelling and Planning 60 min |
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| 19:00 | Evening Reception | |
| time | sessions | |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 |
Control Options The rapid growth of variable renewable power generation from solar photovoltaics and wind power is changing the traditional paradigm of linear power flows from dispatchable centralised power stations or diesel generators to the local consumers. At the same time, smart grid technologies and a more pro-active role of consumers are allowing for new ways to manage these power flows. 90 min |
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| 10:30 |
Coffee break |
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| 11:00 |
Decentralised Electricity Systems for Islands and Rural Electrification 120 min |
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| 13:00 |
Lunch break |
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| 14:00 |
Reporting back from deepdive sessions 120 min |
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| 15:30 | Coffee break | |
| 16:00 |
Plenary VII: Reporting Back from Group Discussions
90 min |
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Contact Us
Robert-Schuman-Platz 3
53175 Bonn
Germany
http://www.irena.org