Energy transition through the high peaks
With rising public awareness, lower prices of renewables and client-pressure to decarbonize, almost every large international company has plans now for a corporate energy transition. Many energy buyers have seen ambitious targets for buying green energy land on their desks in the past three years.
This has resulted in a boom of PPA negotiations, with corporates rushing in to contract green electricity directly with windmill and solar park developers.
For some companies, it looked like greening the energy supply was a clear run. But then the pandemic caused prices to first drop to record lows and then to increase by a staggering 457% for natural gas and 376% for electricity in less than 18 months (German prices – similar movements in most other European countries).
Other parts of the world saw their own move from low to high, although only APAC saw similar levels of extreme volatility. It was a strong reminder of the fact that the choices you make when buying energy, green or traditional, have an enormous financial impact.
With this double challenge of greening the energy supply and facing unprecedented volatility shocks, buying energy has become more difficult than ever. What’s more, according to the World Energy Outlook 2021 recently launched by the IEA, this volatility is here to stay: “the world is underinvesting now for future energy consumption, which will make the transition to net-zero emissions unstable”.
The way to respond to these future energy needs, the organization said, is to boost clean energy investment across all technologies and all markets. The report remarks: “if the supply side moves away from oil or gas before the world’s consumers do, then the world could face periods of market tightness and volatility”.
Then, with the current situation, which steps could be taken by large energy consumers regarding their energy transition?
Join our 5th TEC and don’t miss the opportunity to hear the experts analyse this juncture and point you towards solutions.
A unique occasion for networking and exchanging with peers, energy buyers in large international companies, is waiting for you!
Programme
8:30h – 9:20h |
Registration and coffee |
9:20h – 9:30h |
Welcome & opening |
9:30h – 10:15h |
Panel session: Status of the energy transition
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10:15h – 10:45h |
Panel session: Unprecedented volatility
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10:45h – 11:15h |
Coffee break |
11:15h – 12:00h |
Panel session: Winning energy buying strategies
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12:00h – 12:45h |
Panel session: Keeping control over the cost of your energy
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12:45h – 13:30h |
Q&A with all speakers |
13:30h – 14:30h |
Lunch |
14:30h – 16:00h |
Workshop Sessions: 4 options to choose 1
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16:00h – 16:20h |
Coffee break |
16:20h – 17:50h |
Workshop Sessions: 4 options to choose 1
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17:50h – 20:00h |
Closing drinks |
Speakers
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Gerard Reid - Key Note Speaker Gerard is focused on empowering and accelerating change by advising organisations, industry leaders and global decision makers on the transition towards net-zero carbon emissions. Co-founder at Alexa Capital, he is also a Fellow at the Institute of the Environment at the University of Minnesota and a member of the Global Future Council on Advanced Energy Technologies at the World Economic Forum. |
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Massimo Bevar Massimo started to work in Magneti Marelli in 2006. Global Commodity Manager since 2015, he has contributed increasing the awareness of Marelli Company on energy markets: after an initial approach with a single country, today the number of countries centrally managed are around ten and the journey continues. |
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Benedict De Meulemeester Benedict is one of the founders of E&C Consultants. He collaborated with many companies in energy procurement in the past sixteen years at E&C, and has a broad experience regarding the energy markets in many different countries. |
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Dina Karamarko Since her very early days at E&C, in 2015, Dina has been passionate about creating value for industrial players when it comes to energy risk management, decarbonization, and effective reporting. One of her personal goals is to start promoting more women in the energy world. |
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Eline Lenselink The expertise Eline is bringing is more than 25 years with AkzoNobel in several positions: from Facilities to Human Resources to Procurement. Today she is driving global energy purchasing, with specific focus on sustainability. |
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Jens Lievens Jens joined E&C in 2015 as International Business Developer and very soon he started contributing meaningfully to the growth of the company. That's why in 2019 he was appointed as CCO. Next to focusing on business development, he takes care of the daily management at E&C. |
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Merlijn Mertens Doctor in Nuclear Fusion Science and Engineering, Merlijn decided to combine his fundamental and technical background with his deep-rooted but never before exploited interest in economy, joining E&C Consultants in 2021 as Energy Trader. |
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Kathleen Peters E&C Consultant since 2017, Kathleen is passionate about supporting international clients in finding sustainable solutions for their energy supply to bring forward their decarbonization, contributing with her work to the energy transition. |
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Cyriel Poppe Cyriel has helped many clients achieve energy procurement and carbon reduction insights. Combining a Master in Business Economy with data analytical skills allowed him to reduce complex energy challenges to comprehensible and approachable pathways by using logic and visualisations. |
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Bart Verest Bart has worked at E&C Consultants for more than 9 years as International energy procurement and sustainability consultant, coordinating European and global accounts. In addition, he is co-founder of Navitas, an energy cooperative based in Belgium. |
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Ondrej Zicha Ondrej is graduated in Business Economy by the Masaryk University in Brno,Czech Republic. He joined E&C Consultants in 2014 as Consultant, being focused on Central European markets. In addition, he is i charge of the coordination of international clients.
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Venue
The Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel will host the 5th TEC edition on Thursday 28th April 2022
Perfectly situated within 39 steps of the airport terminal at Brussels Airport, Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel is a modern haven for travel in Brussels, Belgium. Find your respite in fully soundproofed rooms and suites with signature amenities, ergonomic workspace and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi. Thrill your palate with authentic local options at our distinctive restaurant. Enjoy quick access to the airport terminals and Brussels city centre through the train station at the airport. With an ideal location and one of Belgium's largest hotel conference centres, Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel is the perfect home base for your visit.

How to get to the venue
The best way to get from Brussels Airport (BRU) to Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel is to walk, which takes 1 minute.
Accommodation
You can book accommodation at the Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel where the TEC is taking place.
Also check out Visit.Brussels – the official website of the city, in case you are looking for any alternative hotels.
What previous attendees said...
"I strongly recommend this event to my colleagues because it gave me a wide view on the market, good opportunity to network and to learn more about E&C.".
"I would recommend it because it is very well prepared and helpful. I learnt a lot today - there was a before and after.".
"I would recommend this to anyone that is interested in expanding their energy world knowledge. I hope to attend again!"
"Really interesting, people from E&C are really happy to share knowledge with you, good atmosphere, informative, meeting interesting people, always interesting for networking... I would recommend it as a change to deepen your knowledge and bring you new ideas.".
Related content
Here you will find some food for thought:
- What a Post-COVID energy transition could look like (blog post)
- The Coronavirus and the energy transition: boost or bust? (blog post)
- The question isn't if you can implement sustainable energy procurement (blog post)
- Sustainable Energy Procurement: Should you make or buy green electricity? (webinar)
- Energy Transition Plan (white paper)
- Power Purchase Agreements (white paper)