• Programme overview
• Download the programme
• Conference: "Tomorrow's buildings"
• The megatrends of sustainable energy
• Conference: "European Green Electricity Forum"
• Exhibition & trade fair "Energiesparmesse"
• Poster Presentation
• Voting
• Participating Countries
  
  
• Review 2002

From 6 to 9 March 2003, Upper Austria once again turned into the meeting point for the energy world. This year, the well established WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAY did not only bring together the experts from the energy sector, it also gathered the great thinkers from other important spheres. The two-day event with the focal points green building and green electricity met with overwhelming interest: more than 650 participants from 56 different countries flocked to Wels to attend the symposium. A special highlight of the WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAY was the exclusive evening event "The Megatrends of Sustainable Energy" which offered a truly remarkable gathering of international key figures from the fields of sustainable energy, economy, science and philosophy. Experts and decision makers from all over the world took the opportunity gain an insight into visionary innovations and obtain a profound outlook on the future of energy supply and society as a whole. The conference was followed by the "Energiesparmesse", one of the largest exhibitions and trade fairs on renewable energy sources and energy efficiency in the world attracting once again more than 200,000 visitors. The events have been organised by the O.Ö. Energiesparverband, the regional energy agency of Upper Austria. Comprehensive review of the World Sustainable Energy Day 2003 The WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAY 2003, the major annual European conference on renewable energy and energy efficiency, was held from 6 to 7 March in Wels/Upper Austria. With a mix of keynote speeches, project presentations, question and discussion rounds, the symposium, which stood under the motto "The Megatrends of Sustainable Energy", provided an exceptional environment for delegates to gain and exchange expertise on the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century.

The two-day symposium started off with the conference "Tomorrow's Buildings - the Megatrends in Building and Energy Technologies". It covered the entire spectrum from energy efficient architecture and building shell over heating, cooling and ventilation technologies to planning tools. Gonzalo Molina, Head of Unit at the European Commission's Directorate-General of Energy and Transport, for example, gave an overview of "Eco-Buildings" in the 6th RTD Framework Programme. Michael Paula from the Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology illuminated the topic from an Austrian viewpoint as he spoke about a successful domestic research and development programme. The speakers coming from many different countries as well as professions delivered very interesting and diverse presentations and managed to give a profound outlook on current and future building trends. Outstanding projects complemented the expert speeches.

A special highlight of this year's WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAY was the evening event "The Megatrends of Sustainable Energy". This rare gathering of renowned experts from the spheres renewable energy, economy, science and philosophy offered interesting impulses to the question "What does the future of energy hold?". The recognized German philosopher Professor Peter Sloterdijk fascinated the audience with his pointed and also provocative thoughts on the culture of extravagance and its alternatives. Professor Martin Green, winner of the Alternative Nobel Prize 2002, inspired the interested listeners with his "green energy visions". A discussion round featuring the European Director of BP Solar Stuart Brannigan, Gonzalo Molina from the European Commission, the President of the Austrian Biomass Association Heinrich Kopetz, and the Energy Commissioner of Upper Austria Gerhard Dell, rounded off the successful event. A get-together at a traditional Austrian restaurant then offered the delegates, who had come to Wels from all over the world, the opportunity to discuss energy matters and exchange know-how in a relaxed atmosphere.

On Friday, 7 March, the second conference within the framework of the WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAY took place. The "European Green Electricity Forum" brought together experts from all over the world under one roof, the first session provided an overview of the latest developments in the key future technologies photovoltaics, biomass, small hydropower and biogas. The second part of the forum was dedicated to the most recent green electricity trends in various parts of the globe. Experts from as many different countries as the United States, China, Australia, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Thailand, Germany and Austria gave inspiring presentations. The Austrian Federal Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management Josef Pröll also visited the event and gave an outlook on green electricity in Austria.

A new interactive element was included in the conference procedure, "the voting". During the sessions the audience was asked different energy questions (estimations about the energy future).

The "World Sustainable Energy Day 2003" has not failed to continue the successful tradition of past events - this year more than 650people from 56 different countries have flocked to Upper Austria to attend the conference. The date for next year's symposium has already been fixed: the WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAY 2004 will take place from 4 to 5 March in Wels/Upper Austria. Don't forget to mark this date in your calendar!

WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAY 2003 Date: 6 - 7 March 2003 Location: Stadthalle Wels, Austria

The WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAY 2003 will continue the long tradition of successful conferences and exhibitions already held in the Upper Austrian city Wels. This leading European symposium will offer the unique opportunity to learn about the most recent trends in energy policies as well as the technological and economic field, to obtain a profound outlook on the future of energy supply and society as a whole.

Under the motto "The Megatrends of Sustainable Energy", the conference will this time take a new approach. The two-day event with the focal points green building and green electricity will not only bring together the experts of the energy sector, it will also gather the great thinkers from other important spheres. The WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERY DAY consists of three exceptional events. The opening conference will be dedicated to the topic "Tomorrow's Buildings - the Megatrends in Building and Energy Technologies". It will cover the entire spectrum from energy efficient architecture and building shell over heating, cooling and ventilation technologies to planning tools, including the aspects new buildings and renovation as well as housing, commercial and public buildings. The "European Green Electricity Forum" will provide a profound overview of green electricity trends in different parts of the globe. Another focus will be on the latest developments in key future technologies like photovoltaics, biomass and fuel cells. A special highlight of the WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAY will be the exclusive evening event "The Megatrends of Sustainable Energy" which will be a rare gathering of international key figures from the fields of sustainable energy, economy, science, philosophy and popular culture. The WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAY 2003 follows in the footsteps of successful past events - in the year 2002, nearly 550 delegates from more than 60 countries flocked to Upper Austria to attend the conference.