SSEI Forum: Insights into cutting-edge energy technologies from Switzerland and China

Energy professionals from Switzerland and China will meet in Shanghai on 6-7 May 2021 for the first Sino-Swiss Energy Innovation Forum. Only virtually, of course. But it is precisely this circumstance that offers interested energy experts the chance to be present live at this exchange on cutting-edge energy technologies. Felix Moesner, Science Consul and CEO of Swissnex China, explains in an interview with Energeiaplus why you should definitely join the virtual SSEI Forum and how you can register

Felix Moesner, Science Consul and CEO of Swissnex China

Felix Moesner, on May 6-7, 2021, the first Sino-Swiss Energy Innovation Forum will take place. Who is behind this forum and what is the goal?

Felix Moesner: The Swissnex Science Consulate in China connects Switzerland and China in the fields of education, research and innovation. In collaboration with the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), Swiss Engineering, the Shanghai Energy Research Society and Presence Switzerland, we are organising the firstSino-Swiss Energy Innovation Forum("Sino Swiss Energy Innovation Forum"). The forum will bring together prominent representatives from research, business and politics from the Swiss and Chinese energy landscape and offer participants the exceptional opportunity to exchange views on exciting science and technology-driven energy innovations, strategies and market developments from Switzerland and China.

This year's forum will focus on the topics of power grid and renewable energy and will feature inspiring presentations from high-level industry experts, academics and startups. Swiss and Chinese stakeholders will meet on a small scale, which should encourage follow-up projects and thus generate added value.

The forum was originally planned for last year, but unfortunately had to be postponed to 2021 in the middle of the preparations due to the pandemic. The idea for the forum came up when the Swiss solar boat Race for Water set course for Shanghai. We wanted to use this opportunity to launch an outstanding cooperation project in the field of energy innovation.

During my previous role as CEO of Swissnex in Boston, we were very fortunate to have the then Federal Councillor and Energy Minister Doris Leuthard visit with a larger delegation in 2014. In close cooperation with the SFOE, the very first Swiss-US Energy Innovation Days were held in Boston, which continue as a series to this day. We would now like to bring this successful format to life between Switzerland and China.

Is China an interesting partner for Switzerland in the energy sector?

Switzerland is aiming for climate neutrality by 2050, China by 2060. The efforts being made to achieve these goals are considerable. China's special envoy on climate change recently estimated that Beijing will have to invest US$21 trillion over the next 30 years. China thus faces a considerable investment boom to make its green vision of the future a reality. The East Asian country is already the world's largest producer of renewable energy, specifically in the areas of hydropower, solar energy and wind power. China is also a world leader in the construction of ultra-high voltage power lines, which are critical to a greener future. In 2020, a remarkable five-kilometer tunnel was completed under the Yangtze River to supply Shanghai with high-voltage electricity, for which ABB developed a novel piping technology for insulating gas.

With this forum, we want to lay the foundation for successful cooperation between the brightest minds in the field of energy innovation.

China's immense scale and rapid technological developments in all areas of research offer Switzerland, a world leader in ground-breaking innovation, many exciting opportunities for collaboration on projects carried out to the highest international quality standards. We would therefore like to offer Swiss academics and entrepreneurs the opportunity to establish the necessary links to contribute to a profitable exchange. With the forum, we want to lay the foundation for successful cooperation between the brightest minds in the field of energy innovation and contribute to the expansion and consolidation of the successful bilateral partnership.

The Forum will, of course, be held in virtual form. Participation is therefore also possible from Switzerland. Why should you not miss the Forum?

The Sino-Swiss Energy Innovation Forum serves as a platform for Swiss and Chinese experts to exchange perspectives, expertise and practical experience in the field of energy innovation. The rich, fine-tuned program includes keynotes from leading policy makers and a noteworthy line-up of speakers who will take the virtual podium. The speaker brochure, which will be made available to all attendees, will facilitate outreach between the various audiences: Academia, Industry, Policy Makers and Startups. A recording of the two-day forum will be available later.

Looking ahead, we hope to continue the exchange with a physical Sino-Swiss Energy Innovation Forum 2022 next year on site to deepen the dialogue and further promote collaborations and synergies between Switzerland and China.

On site in Shanghai, swissnex China is also organising another physical event as part of the Sino-Swiss Energy Innovation Forum, at which an exhibition on the Swiss Energy Award Watt d'Or will be on display. Who do you want to address with this exhibition?

The reception on 17 May 2021 will showcase Switzerland's best energy projects, including the Watt d'Or Energy Award winning projects, the driverless electric racing car "Gotthard" from the ETH Zurich AMZ Formula student team's family of world record electric vehicles, and the cleantech exhibition "Can Tech Save the World?" initiated by Presence Switzerland and CleantechAlps. This exclusive networking reception will take place on the 52nd floor of the Shanghai Tower, China's tallest building (LEED Platinum certified) with breathtaking views of Shanghai's skyline. Forum participants, partners, stakeholders and opinion leaders from the industry are invited to this reception, which allows participants to exchange personal experiences and discuss potential collaborations in more depth.

Program and registration Sino-Swiss Energy Innovation Forum (SSEIForum): www.sseiforum.org

Interview: Marianne Zünd, Head of Media and Policy, Swiss Federal Office of Energy