How do we prepare regions for the future? And how do we ensure society is on board with the transitions required?
Dr Bert Droste-Franke at the BEWEGT conference in Berlin.
Networking, shaping the future – making a difference: How can we enhance the impact of projects focusing on “Energy Transition & Society” and ensure that societal stakeholders are involved in the transformation? We discussed these questions at the BEWEGT conference with researchers from over 40 projects who, just like us, are active in the BMWE’s “Energy Transition & Society” funding priority, held at Fraunhofer ENIQ on the EUREF Campus in Berlin. Together, we are working towards the transformation of our energy system and the acceleration of the energy transition!
Dr Bert Droste-Franke, Head of “System Evaluation & Societal Sustainability”, and Dr Davy van Doren presented our research project “EnergieregionPlus” (funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy – BMWE) at the conference and outlined ideas for a socially fostered energy transition.
The energy transition aims to transform the energy supply – moving away from fossil fuels and towards the use of renewable, climate-friendly and sustainable energy sources, including wind power, photovoltaics, biomass and hydropower.
„The energy transition will only succeed if we balance technical innovations with the needs of local communities. The discussions at the BEWEGT conference have once again confirmed to us just how important this transdisciplinary dialogue is.“
Dr. Bert Droste-Franke, Head of „System Evaluation & Societal Sustainability“
As part of the EnergieregionPlus project, we are developing planning tools and methods to work with local authorities to establish ‘virtual power plants’, in which electricity generation, storage and consumption are intelligently linked. This allows synergies to be exploited and electricity to be supplied in line with demand – despite the fluctuations caused by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. The electricity supply becomes more reliable and can even continue to function during large-scale power cuts. This simultaneously strengthens the resilience of local authorities and regions.
Further information on our project can be found here: EnergieregionPlus