Key takeaways from WindEurope 2023

The 2023 edition of WindEurope was the biggest to date, with 500 exhibitors, coinciding with an ongoing European energy and geopolitical crisis. Despite its desire to massively develop wind energy for resilience and energy security, the EU faces many legislative and logistical problems that hamper its development.

Katja Egmose, director of our Danish office, as well as Espen Jorgensen (Head of Ocean Industries), Jeanette Mortensen (Creative Leader of Business Design), Kate Saunders (Energy Lead), and Emilien Jacquinet, (Digital Designer) visited the WindEurope 2023 fair.

Here are are their key takeaways.

An ever-increasing push for renewable energies

The resulting energy crisis from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has accelerated countries to transition to renewable energy, on top of the other drivers, such as the climate crisis and consumer pressure to reduce carbon footprints.

Each European country’s infrastructure is unique and so is the most optimal solution to shift to renewable energy. Common for all is that this transition is not a simple change of supply: companies must now deal with a portfolio of different renewable energies as a single energy source is not enough. This requires them to rethink their production methods to adapt and consume more responsibly. This is ultimately more advantageous as they are more resilient and less dependent on a single energy source.

It is evident that many companies are realising that sustainability must be at the heart of their DNA and not just a branding message. Their plans to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2030/2050 and instigate more circular value streams are as much a strategic decision for survival in the long term, as a marketing argument to be promoted on the short term.

From the session: "Sustainability in practice" with John Korsgaard, Senior Director at LM Wind Power.

Demand for political support, security, and stability

Industries and companies only just starting their renewable energy transition and reducing carbon footprint are risk averse and reliant on financial stability.

One of the two key elements of this transition is its price. Renewable energies must be reasonably priced and stable over the long term (it takes between 5 and 10 years to install a wind power plant, not to mention return on investment). Unfortunately, it seems, according to several speakers, that Europe does not have access to renewable energies at a competitive price in the desired volumes, which hinders their implementation.

The second element is the political will of the European Union to accelerate its implementation. The common demand made by all the actors present is to have a stronger political commitment and massive financial support to modernise the supply chain. It is not only a question of greening the biggest companies. Each link in the chain and each subcontractor must be able to produce more sustainably.

The grid of tomorrow must be flexible

Green energy is essential to the challenge, but it must be delivered appropriately to companies and more broadly to each consumer. The current infrastructure is neglected, which leads to several problems: delayed connection, lack of capacity, lack of visibility, and congestion. At the same time, the electrification of cities is happening rapidly: in our homes (electric car chargers, smart home, solar panels), our transportation, and our industries.

Tomorrow's grid must be more flexible to integrate new green energies into the current grid to match consumption demand. Secondly, it must be more digital to provide the right information at the right time. And finally, it must be more decentralised to meet demand efficiently and to be more resilient in the case of disastrous events, particularly climatic events.

The challenge is not so much to find a technical solution but to deploy this solution systemically on a large scale.

Kate Saunders (Energy Lead, EGGS Design) and Espen A. Jørgensen (Head of Ocean Space, EGGS Design) visiting Statkraft's stand.

An opportunity for design-driven innovation

The changes to be made are numerous and very costly, but above all, we have an ocean of possibilities and opportunities as designers to contribute. Getting industries, governments, operators, NGOs, and consumers to work together to imagine a more sustainable network is at the heart of our competence.

Being able to facilitate effectively, apply innovation methodology and visualisation for clear communication, and translate different needs, are all key skills that will benefit this transition.

While facing wicked problems such as the digitalisation of existing services, we are able to facilitate multi-stakeholder processes to ensure that operators can better manage the network and use energy.