HSE was actively involved in this year’s Innovation of Energy, which is an annual event organised by Prosperia. On Wednesday, 4 October, colleagues in the HSE Group, Dr Matjaž Eberlinc, Executive Director of Production in HSE, and mag. Primož Bergoč, Head of the Automation Department at SENG, showcased two innovative projects, while Dr Tomaž Štokelj, Managing Director of HSE, shared his opinion at the closing round table about how to use innovation to succeed during times of energy disruption.
More than forty speakers agreed that innovation is crucial for development, also in the energy sector. They highlighted several challenges, from the present time, funds, shortage of staff, courage and errors that are part of such a process. Some speakers spoke about their business careers, experience and the challenges they faced on their innovation paths, while the discussions or lectures frequently focused on those that have or are yet to happen, particularly on behalf of Slovenia’s green transition.
The majority of the challenges ahead are linked with renewable energy sources. Hydrogen received the most attention at this year’s event, in which numerous companies see an opportunity for development, progress and finally, they also regard it as a necessity.
Part of the event was the selection of Innovation of Energy ’23 in which the HSE Group was featured among 14 proposals. Dr Matjaž Eberlinc, Executive Director of Production in HSE, discussed the implementation of the jROS system for production optimisation in the HSE Group. Mag. Primož Bergoč, Head of the Automation Department at SENG, described the method for preventing sudden outages of the Avče pumped hydroelectric power plant during peak periods of the Soča River flow. The expert committee and participants gave the first prize to the GEN-I Virtual Power Plant project that results in lower costs of market access for its users and reduces risk. Second place went to the optiMOON, a comprehensive green solution of companies Porsche Slovenija and Amibit. The tool for calculating connection capacity in the distribution network developed by the Aeterna company in cooperation with Elektro Gorenjska received the third prize.
The conclusions of the exceptionally content-intensive conference were drawn at the closing round table consisting of the directors of Slovenia’s leading energy companies, i.e. Uroš Blažica, Elektro Primorska and GIZ DEE, Marjan Eberlinc, Plinovodi, Dr Dejan Paravan, GEN energija and Dr Tomaž Štokelj, Managing Director of HSE. They all agreed that firmer and speedier steps are required in the coal phase-out process or the so-called green transition, particularly when siting infrastructure for renewable energy sources. “People’s habits and the standard of living on the one hand and political decisions regarding environmental targets on the other show that electricity consumption will increase. The response is thus clear: renewable energy sources are necessary. But their implementation firstly requires political backing, which will closely be followed by that of the local community,” emphasised Dr Štokelj. The Managing Director of HSE discussed many projects of the HSE Group, which will have a great impact on Slovenia’s green transition and will contribute to the carbon neutrality of society.
