Speakers 2020
Siegfried Aigner
- Managing Partner, Aigner Energie Contracting, Austria
- 18 years’ experience in biomass heat contracting, the realisation of heat plants and district heating systems, quality auditor and international consulting
- Degree in Chemical and Process Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Austria
Henrik Båge
- CEO and Co-Founder, Phoenix BioiPower, Sweden
- Previously, Business Development Manager, SolTech Energy, Sweden
- Master’s degree in Politcal Science and Economics, Uppsala University, Sweden
Stefan Baumann
- Key Account Manager, The Mobility House, Germany
- Previously, certified electromobility consultant and sales specialist, BMW/MINI
- BA in Business Administration
Gottfried Baumann-Leitner
- Sales and Export Manager, Windhager, Austria
- Over 9 years of experience in international sales of biomass heating solutions
- Degree in Engineering
Martin Bentele
- Managing Director, Deutscher Energieholz- und Pellet-Verband (DEPV), Germany
- Managing Director, Deutsches Pelletinstitut (DEPI), Germany
- Degree in Forestry, Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Germany
Ulrike Beyer
- Head of Task Force Hydrogen and Scientific Advisor, Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (IWU), Germany
- Previously, Project Manager, Simufact Engineering, Germany
- PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Germany
Adam Brown
- Managing Director, Energy Insights, UK
- Previously, Senior Energy Analyst focussing on renewable energy policy and technology issues, IEA
- PhD in Chemical Physics, University of Cambridge, UK
Martina Caminada
- Managing Director, proPellets.ch, Switzerland
- Previously, Forestry department of the Canton of St. Gallen and Research Associate, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Master’s degree in Environmental Science, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Anna Camp Casanovas
- Coordinator Energy and Climate Programme, Provincial Council of Girona, Catalonia/Spain
- Previously, Associate Professor, University of Girona; Project Manager at CILMA, Girona’s network for environmental initiatives, Catalonia/Spain
- Degree in Environmental Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; MA in Environmental Science and Urban Planning, University of Girona, Catalonia/Spain
Lluc Canals Casals
- Post-doc researcher, Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC), Spain
- Expert for the Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technology Collaboration Programme
- Doctorate degree, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain
Maria del Mar Rojas
- EP100 Senior Campaign Manager, The Climate Group, UK
- Previously, Programme Manager, FARMroots, GrowNYC, USA
- MSc in Environment and Sustainable Development, University College London, UK
Gerhard Dell
- Energy Commissioner to the Upper Austrian Government, Director of OÖ Energiesparverband
- Lecturer at the University of Linz
- Doctorate and post-graduate degrees (PhD engineering, Dr. tech.) in Electrical Engineering and Energy Economics
Speaker of the European Pellet Conference
Speaker of the Energy Efficiency Policy Conference
Speaker of the Smart E-Mobility Conference
Irene di Padua
- Policy Officer for renewables and energy efficiency and Coordinator of the RHC-ETIP working group on 100% renewable industries, Solar Heat Europe/ESTIF, Belgium
- Previously, Communications Assistant, EUBIA European Biomass Industry Association, Belgium
- MA in European Studies, Institute of EU studies, ULB/Belgium; Degree in Diplomatic Studies and International Relations, University of Trieste, Italy
Tobias Distler
- Deputy Head of Research and Development, Amandus Kahl, Germany
- Previously, Research Associate in the fields of energy generation, power plant technology and biomass as well as Development Engineer in the fields of biomass, animal feed and recycling
- Degree in Engineering
Ion Dogeanu
- Executive Director, AEEPM – Local Energy Agency Bucharest, Romania
- Previously, Executive Director Public Utilities, Bucharest District 1, Romania
- PhD in Economics; Master's degree in Business and Territorial Management, University D’Artois, France
Speaker of the Workshop "New opportunities for energy agencies"
Jayson Dong
- Policy Manager, European Association for Electromobility (AVERE)
- Previously, Policy Officer at Smart Energy Demand Coalition (SmartEN), Belgium
- MSc in Politics and Government in the European Union, London School of Economics, UK
Mia Dragović Matosović
- Energy Efficiency Expert, Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy (IEECP), The Netherlands
- Previously, Senior Researcher, Energy Institute Hrvoje Pozar, Croatia
- MBA, Beuth University of Applied Sciences Berlin (Germany); Bachelor of Science, Rochester Institue of Technology (USA)
Christiane Egger
- Deputy Manager of the OÖ Energiesparverband and Manager of the Cleantech-Cluster Energy
- Conference director of the World Sustainable Energy Days
- Degrees in Law (University of Graz) and Environmental Engineering (Technical University of Graz)
Speaker of the European Pellet Conference
Speaker of the Industrial Energy Efficiency Conference
Speaker of the European Energy Efficiency Conference
Werner Emhofer
- Sales Manager Export, Fröling, Austria
- 15 years of experience in the sales of biomass heating systems
- Degree in Economics, Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, Austria
Daniel Encinas Martín
- Technical Coordinator, Regional Energy Agency of Extremadura (AGENEX), Spain
- Previously, Project Engineer in energy and industry
- Degree in Industrial Engineering, University of Seville; Master’s degree in Research in Engineering and Architecture, University of Extremadura; Degree in Integrated Management of Environment and Quality, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain
Speaker of the Workshop "New opportunities for energy agencies"
Alex Epik
- Senior Consultant SEC "Biomass" and Researcher, Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU)
- Work experience in the fields of climate change and energy policies and of pyrolysis and solid biomass combustion investigation
- MSc and BSc in Thermophysics
Speaker of the Energy Efficiency Policy Conference
Speaker of the Young Biomass Researchers Conference
Robet Feldmann
- Senior Expert, Resource Productive Operations & Analytics, McKinsey, Germany
- Previously, Managing Director, N-ERGIE Energieeffizienz; Managing Director, Azur Solar Systems, UK; Head of Cleantech Europe, Deloitte
- Degree in Electrical Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Austria; MBA, IESE Business School Barcelona, Spain
Speaker of the Industrial Energy Efficiency Conference
Assen Gasharov
- Senior Expert on Energy Efficiency, European Investment Bank (EIB)
- Previously, Senior Expert on Energy and Climate, European Commission and Programme Manager for Knowledge Transfer, International Energy Agency (IEA)
- MSc in Environmental Management, University of Oxford/UK and MSc in Environmental Policy, Central European University/Hungary
Gilles Gauthier
- Business Development & Membership Director and EPC Manager, Bioenergy Europe; General Manager, European Pellet Council (EPC)
- Previously, Coordinator of the Belgian Biomass Valorisation Association (ValBiom)
- Degree in Industrial Engineering with specialisation in agriculture and environment
Jan Geiss
- Secretary General of EUFORES – The European Forum for Renewable Energy Sources
- Previously, President of the Renewable Energy House, Brussels
- Dipl.-Kulturwirt; PhD in Political Science and Economics, University of Passau, Germany
Saki Gerassis
- Policy and Data Officer, DG Mobility and Transport, European Commission
- Previously, Research Engineer, University of Vigo, Spain; IT Risk Banking Analyst, European Central Bank, Germany
- PhD in Data analysis and decision making in the mining industry, University of Vigo, Spain
Javier Gil Barnó
- R&D Director Biomass Department, National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER), Spain
- Previously, Head of Thermochemical Applications Service, CENER, Spain
- PhD in Chemical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Spain
Irina Gilfanova
- Senior Sustainability Consultant, Energy & Sustainability Services, Schneider Electric, Hungary
- Previously, Research Assistant, Central European University, Hungary
- MSc in Environmental Sciences and Policy, Central European University/Hungary and University of Manchester/UK
Martin Hackl
- Global Director Business Unit Solar Energy, Fronius International, Austria
- Speaker of the Company Advisory Board, Cleantech-Cluster Upper Austria
Speaker of the European Pellet Conference
Marielen Haider-Madl
- Senior Project Manager, TIGER Coatings, Austria
- Previously, Energy Efficiency Technician, Wien Energie, Austria
- Engineering degree in Energy and Environment Management
Adam Harvey
- Professor of Process Intensification and Head of the Process Intensification Group, Newcastle University, UK
- Research in the fields of biofuel processing, reactor design and non-thermal plasmas, particularly on the intensification of various biofuel processes
- PhD from the University of Edinburgh, UK; MEng Chemical Engineering, University of Cambridge, UK
Anton Hofer
- Product Manager and Head of Marketing, Hargassner, Austria
- Over 35 years of experience in the biomass sector
- Degree in Engineering
Radoš Horáček
- Team Leader General Energy Efficiency Team, DG Energy, European Commission
- Since 2015, responsible for the development and implementation of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive
- Degrees in Economics and European Law, Universities in Germany UK and Belgium
Speaker of the Workshop "New opportunities for energy agencies"
Speaker of the Energy Efficiency Policy Conference
Wolfgang Hribernik
- Head of the Center for Energy, Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), Austria
- Coordinator of the NEFI (New Energy for Industry) Programme
- Doctorate in Technical Sciences, ETH Zürich, Switzerland; Degree in Electrical Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Austria
Anette Jahn
- Head of Sector, Energy Efficiency Unit, European Commission, EASME
- Previously, Head of Sector, Renewable Energy Unit and Policy Officer, DG Energy, European Commission
- Master of Arts in International Politics, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium; Degree in Economics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
Speaker of the Energy Efficiency Policy Conference
Speaker of the workshop "New opportunities for energy agencies"
Sergio A. Jaimes Rueda
- PhD student in Chemical Engineering, University of Sherbrooke, Canada
- Previously, Assistant Professor and Researcher, Universidade Estadual do Rio Grande do Sul and Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Brazil
- Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil; Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Colombia
Mihkel Jugaste
- Head of Quality and Certification Systems, Graanul Invest Group, Estonia
- Member of the Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) Standards Committee
- Master’s degree in Environmental Management and Cleaner Production, Tallinn Technical University, Estonia; Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, University of Exeter, UK
Hannes Jungmair
- Manager Global Facility Management, Starlim Spritzguss, Austria
- Previously, Head of IT and Head of Facility, Starlim Sterner
- Degree in IT and Organisation
Jaroslav Klusák
- Senior Energy Manager, City of Litoměřice, Czech Republic
- Previous work experience as energy consultant
- Doctorate in Environmental Economics
Boštjan Krajnc
- Managing Director, Energy Agency of Savinjska, Šaleška and Koroška Region (KSSENA), Croatia
- Over 15 years of experience in carrying out energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for the Municipality of Velenje and in the implementation of the Local Energy Concepts of the Region
- BSc in Mechanical Engineering
Speaker of the Workshop "New opportunities for energy agencies"
Anna Krämer
- EU Project Advisor, Cities Northern Netherlands EU Office, Brussels
- Joint Master’s degree in European Studies, University of Groningen (The Netherlands) / Georg-August Universität Göttingen (Germany)
Vlasta Krmelj
- Director of the Regional Energy Agency of Podravje (ENERGAP) and Mayor of the Municipality Selnica ob Dravi, Slovenia
- Expert in the fields of sustainable energy use and renewable energy sources, energy management and financing energy projects
- PhD in Chemical Engineering
Pia Alina Lange
- Head of Internal & External Communications, European Industry Association for Advanced Rechargeable batteries (RECHARGE)
- Previously, Communications Adviser, TGW Future Foundation, Austria
- Master’s degree in Economic Science, Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, Austria
Sofiia Levinska
- Project Manager and PR Manager, Bioenergy Association of Ukraine; Junior Consultant, Scientific Engineering Centre "Biomass", Ukraine
- Previously, Leading Engineer, Department of Thermophysical Bioenergy Problems, National Academy of Science of Ukraine (NASU), Ukraine
- Master’s degree in Heat and Power Engineering, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Ukraine
Bruce Lisle
- CEO, President and Founder of Energex, USA
- Previously, Director and President of the Pellet Fuels Institute
- Bachelor of Science, University of Denver, USA
Kenny Lisle
- Business Development Manager, Energex Corporation, USA
- Previously, Sales Associate and Quality Control Manager, Energex Corporation, USA
- Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics with minor in Business, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA
Thomas Meth
- Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Co-Founder, Enviva, USA; Chairman of the United States Industrial Pellet Association
- Previously, Executive Vice President and General Manager Europe, Intrinergy Inc.
- MBA, Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia, USA
Speaker of the European Pellet Conference
Gordon Murray
- Executive Director, Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC)
- Board Member of the European Pellet Council; Member of the Steering Committee, Biomass Power Group of the UK Renewable Energy Association; Member of the Stakeholder Advisory Group of the Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP)
- Bachelor of Science in Forestry, University of British Columbia, Canada
Michael Nagl
- Region of Upper Austria, Directorate Environment and Water Management, Department of Environmental Protection, Austria
- Head of the Unit Strategic Energy Planning
- Master’s of Engineering degree in Process Technology
Ulrike Nuscheler
- Project Adviser, European Commission, EASME
- Previously, Policy Officer, DG Energy, European Commission
- Master of Arts degree in Political Science
Christine Öhlinger
- Head of Sector International Tasks, OÖ Energiesparverband, Austria
- Project management of international projects in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy
- Diploma in Law, postgraduate training on energy & environmental advice
Meri Olenius
- Leader of the Smart Energy Solutions Research Team, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Finland
- MSc student in Management and Information Technology, Tampere University, Finnland
- BSc in Chemical Engineering, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Finnland;
Herbert Ortner
- Founder and Managing Director of ÖkoFEN Forschungs- und Entwicklungs, Austria
- Pioneer in the field of biomass boilers. ÖkoFEN developed and market launched the first pellet-heating in Austria in the 1990s
- Studies in Engineering
Adam Pawelas
- Director Supply Chain Sustainability & Environment, Carlsberg Supply Company, Switzerland
- Previously, Environmental and Facility Advisor, Metro Group Buying, Poland/Germany
- Post-graduate trainings in energy management; Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Warsaw University (Poland)/Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands)
Richard Peberdy
- Vice-President for Sustainability, Drax Group, UK
- Over 30 years of experience in the forest industry in the United Kingdom and USA
Lurian Pires Klein
- PhD student on sustainable energy systems, University of Coimbra/MIT Portugal Initiative, Portugal
- Work experience as Project Manager & Innovation Analyst, Virtual Power Solutions (VPS), Portugal, and Operations Director at Movimento 90o, Brazil
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering
Speaker of the Energy Efficiency Policy Conference
Speaker of the Young Energy Efficiency Researchers Conference
Francisco Puente
- Business Development Director, ESCAN Energy Consulting, Spain
- Previously, Lecturer on Energy Resources and Technologies, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Spain
- PhD in Industrial Engineering, University of Vigo; Executive MBA, EOI Business School; MSc in Energy and Fuels Engineering, Politechnic University of Madrid, Spain
Jürgen Rennar
- Procurement Specialist, SAP, Germany
- Responsible for SAP’s global e-mobility strategy as well as finance and accounting related to SAP’s global car fleet
- BA in Business Administration, Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW) Mannheim, Germany
Nina Riehle-Hussain
- Senior Sustainability Specialist, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, United Arab Emirates
- Previously, Sustainability Consultant, WSP, United Arab Emirates
- MSc in Civil Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Germany
Pablo Rodero
- Responsible of biofuels certification for AVEBIOM, Spain; President of the European Pellet Council; Director of Bioenergy Europe (former AEBIOM)
- Expert on bioenergy and solid biomass quality
- Master’s degree in Forestry Engineering, Universidad Politénica de Madrid, Spain
Olivier Roussel
- Head of Development of renewable energy projects, SEM Energies Hauts-de-France, France
- 19 years of experience in small hydropower project development
- Degree in Agricultural Engineering, École Nationale Supérieure d’Agronomie et des Industries Alimentaires, France; Master’s degree in Population and Ecosystem Biology, Faculté Libre des Sciences de Lille, France
Christian Schlagitweit
- Responsible for market surveys and the national management of the quality seal ENplus, ProPellets, Austria
- Studies in history, political science and sociology, Technische Universität Wien, Austria.
Christoph Schmidl
- Key Researcher, BEST - Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies (formerly Bioenergy 2020+); Head of Master Programme "Renewable Energy Systems and Technical Energy Management", University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt, Austria
- Previously, Unit Head Small-scale Combustion Systems, Bioenergy 2020+, Austria
- Doctorate in Technical Chemistry, Technische Universität Wien, Austria
Ming Shan
- Research Assistant Professor, Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, China
- 10 years of experience on building energy efficiency and renewable energy utilisation
- Doctorate in Building Science and Degree in Civil Engineering
Michael Sillén
- Manager, Storsthlm Energy Agency, Sweden
- Over 20 years of experience as an expert and consultant in the fields of renewable energy, climate policy and sustainable urban development
- Degree in Social Science, University of Lund, Sweden
Speaker of the workshop "New opportunities for energy agencies"
Andrius Smaliukas
- CEO, Baltpool Biomass Exchange (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Denmark, Finland)
- 12 years of experience in the financial sector and regulated markets
- Master’s degree in Law and Economics, Vilnius University, Lithuania
Nicholas Stancioff
- Member of Management Board of "Funding For Future" (The Netherlands) and of the Latvian Building Energy Efficiency Fund (LABEEF)
- Previously, Chairman, Intercapital Property Development Company (ICPD)
- MBA, University of Virginia, USA; BA in Literature and Mathematics, American University in Washington DC, USA
Jeremy Sung
- Energy Analyst, Energy Efficiency Division, International Energy Agency (IEA)
- Experience as energy and climate change analyst in the UK and Vietnam and in electricity-sector emissions projections, energy efficiency policy and carbon pricing for the Australian Government
- MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation, London School of Economics, UK; BA, University of Sydney, Australia
Roel Swierenga
- Chairman, Hansa Green Tour Foundation, The Netherlands
- Director of Hanze Development, Cleantech Acceleration Consultancy, The Netherlands
- Degrees in International Governance, Export Management, Strategic Business Development and Social Enterprises, The Netherlands
Julie Tucker
- National Lead for Renewable Wood Energy, United States Forest Service, USA
- Previously, environmental engineering consultant and attorney for industry, government, and non-profits
- Juris Doctor, North Carolina Central University School of Law, USA; Bachelor of Engineering, Vanderbilt University, USA
Hannes Tuohiniitty
- CEO, Finnish Pellet Energy Association; President, Bioenergy Europe; Sector Manager, Bioenergy Association of Finland
- Previously, Executive Director, Finnish Pellet Energy Association, Finland
- Bachelor of Environmental Management and Agriculture, Laurea Polytechnic, Finland; studying for a master’s degree in Business Development on Bioeconomy, Häme University of Applied Sciences, Finland
Alexander Van Heuverswyn
- Sales Manager, PetroBio, Sweden
- Previously, Sales and Marketing Director, XANT, Belgium
- MBA, Vlekho/KU Leuven, Belgium; Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Katholieke Hogeschool Sint-Lieven, Belgium
Lakshmishree Venugopal
- Consultant for sustainable building design & energy efficiency, Transsolar Klima Engineering, Germany
- Previously, Architect, Hasta Architects India
- MSc in Climadesign, Technical University of Munich, Germany; B.Architecture, University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE), Bangalore University, India
Eric Vial
- Director of Propellet France; Manager of the French association for biomass boilers (SFCB), President of the European Pellet Council; Board Member of the European Biomass Association (AEBIOM)
- Previously, founder of Caloribois, France
- Bachelor of Business Administration, ESDES, France
Étienne Viénot
- Project Manager of European and International Affairs, Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Énergie Environnement (AURA-EE), France
- Expertise in energy data collection and dissemination to public authorities through regional energy observatory
Speaker of the workshop "New opportunities for energy agencies"
Alen Višnjić
- Director of Medjimurje Energy Agency (MENEA), Croatia
- Professional experience in energy projects and strategic & financial management
- Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Speaker of the workshop "New opportunities for energy agencies"
Savvas Vlachos
- Director, Cyprus Energy Agency, Cyprus
- 12 years of experience in environmental engineering, energy auditing, developing Sustainable Energy and Climate Plans, energy efficiency of buildings, financial engineering, project management and training
- Master of Engineering degrees in Civil Engineering (University of Cyprus, Cyprus) and in Environmental Engineering (Technical University of Crete, Greece)
Speaker of the workshop "New opportunities for energy agencies"
Giulio Volpi
- Coordinator of the bioenergy policy, European Commission, Directorate General for Energy
- Previously, Directorate General for Environment
- Master in Environmental Management, Master in Political Science
Franz Weinberger
- Head of Marketing and Communication, MAN Truck & Bus, Austria
- Over 40 years of experience in the commercial vehicle industry
Maximilian Weitzer
- Research Associate, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
- Working on the topic of carnot-batteries in the working group Combustion & Gasification of Biomass
- Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
Stefan Wittkopf
- Professor, Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT), Germany
- Peviously, Expert for the Bavarian State Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forests, Germany
- Doctorate degree from the Technical University of Munich and graduate degree in Forestry from the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany
Fredrik Zetterlund
- Program Manager Biopower and Heat, Swedish Bioenergy Association (Svebio) and Secretary General, Swedish Pellet Association
- Previously, Project Manager and Senior Consultant for energy and waste, Ramboll, Sweden
- MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
Theodor Zillner
- Deputy Head, Division for energy and environmental technologies, Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK)
- Programme manager of the impulse programme "Stadt der Zukunft" (city of the future)
- Degree in Mechanical and Process Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Austria
