Speakers 2016
Henrik Arfwidsson
- Head of Marketing and Sales, Agroenergi Neova Pellets, Sweden
- Previously, Supply Chain Director Energy Division, LantmÀnnen, Sweden
- MSc in Industrial Engineering and Management
Daniel Becker
- Unit Director, Policy Design and Evaluation, Ecofys, Berlin, Germany
- Expert on market conditions and support schemes for renewable energy and energy efficiency
- Degree in Economics and Political Science
Hans Martin Behr
- Scientific Advisor of the "Deutschen Pelletinstitut" (DEPI); Executive Manager of "Power Pellets Vertrieb", Germany
- Deputy Chairperson of the "Deutscher Energieholz- und Pellet-Verband" (DEPV)
- Degree in Forestry, UniversitÀt Göttingen, Germany
Benjamin Bell-Walker
- Technical Affairs Manager, Biomass Thermal Energy Council, USA
- Experience in the fields of industrial and controls engineering
- Master of Engineering in Energy and Environmental Systems, Boston University, USA
Martin Bentele
- Chief Executive Officer of the "Deutscher Energieholz- und Pellet-Verband (DEPV)", Germany
- Managing Director of the "Deutsches Pelletinstitut (DEPI)"
- Degree in Forestry, Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Germany
Susann Bollmann
- Manager of Finance Energy Efficiency, DENEFF
- Previously, Consultant at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
- Degree in Society and Economic Communication
Nils Borg
- Executive Director of the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (eceee), Sweden
- Responsible for the organisationâs activities in the areas of ecodesign, product energy standards and labelling
- Educational background in languages, political science and economic history
Christoph Josef Brabec
- Chair, Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-NĂŒrnberg, Germany
- Scientific Director, Erlangen division of the Bavarian Research Institute for Renewable Energy (ZAE Bayern), Germany
- Doctorate in Physical Chemistry
Bruce A. Brewer
- General Manager, CCF BUSH, Namibia
- Previously, Chairman of Collections, Chicago Zoological Society
- Doctorate in Conservation Science, Cornell University, USA
Michiel Carbo
- Innovation Manager Biomass Upgrading, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), NL
- PDEng in Chemical Engineering, Technical University of Delft; MSc in Building Services, Technical University of Eindhoven
Brian Cody
- Professor and Head of the Institute for Buildings and Energy, Graz University of Technology, Austria
- Founder and CEO of the consulting firm Energy Design Cody and previously Associate Director of the international engineering consultancy Arup
- Degree in Engineering, University of Dublin, Ireland
Olivier Cottet
- Marketing Director, Energy Research Programmes, Schneider Electric, France
- Previously, Marketing Director for French building and residential markets
- Degree in Electrical Engineer
Martin de Groote
- Senior Expert at the Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE); more than 10 years of experience in energy performance and sustainability of buildings
- Previously, Strategic Policy Officer, Flemish Energy Agency (VEA), managing the NZEB action plan
- Postgraduate Energy & Climate, Master Industrial Design
Gerhard Dell
- Energy Commissioner to the Upper Austrian Government, Director of OĂ Energiesparverband
- Lecturer at the University of Linz
- Degree and a post-graduate degree (PhD engineering, Dr.tech.) in Electrical Engineering and Energy Economics
Speaker at the European Pellet Conference
Speaker at the Conference "Nearly Zero Energy Buildings"
Speaker at the Energy Efficiency Services Conference
Dario Di Santo
- Managing Director, Italian Federation for Energy Efficiency (FIRE), Italy
- Previously, Consultant on energy performance contracts, white certificates, cogeneration, and Researcher at ENEA, Italy
- Degree in Mechanical Engineering
JosĂ© Miguel DĂaz Serrano
- Over 27 years as Senior Researcher and Director, Spanish Institute of Refrigeration
- Expert in the field of thermodynamic and industrial refrigeration
- Doctorate in Applied Thermodynamics (Industrial Refrigeration), Technical University of Madrid , Spain
Julien Dijol
- Deputy Secretary-General, Housing Europe
- Master in European Studies, Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium; Degree in Social Sciences, University of Stuttgart, Germany
Julije Domac
- Managing Director of North-West Croatia Regional Energy Agency (REGEA) and President of FEDARENE
- Experience as National Biomass Programme Coordinator in Croatia, National Project Leader for the UNIDO and the FAO, Expert Evaluator for European Commission and Lead Expert for the World Bank
- PhD in Energy, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Christiane Egger
- Deputy Manager of the OĂ Energiesparverband and Manager of the Oekoenergie-Cluster
- Conference director of the World Sustainable Energy Days
- Degrees in Law (University of Graz) and Environmental Engineering (Technical University of Graz)
Speaker at the European Pellet Conference
Speaker at the Conference "Energy Efficiency Watch"
Marie-Laure Falque Masset
- Director, Energy and Ecological Transition Department, ARENE Ăle-de-France, France
- Member of the Horizon 2020 Energy Advisory Group
- Degrees in Economics, Energy Economics and Policy, and Business Management
Ingo Fellinger
- Head of the Building Construction Department, City of Wels, Austria
- Responsible for all new construction and retrofittings of public buildings, including buildings technologies
- Degree in Architecture with a focus on building simulation, Vienna University of Technology, Austria
Maria Founti
- Professor, School of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Greece
- Coordinator of the AMANAC-CSA
- PhD in Combustion, Imperial College London, MSc in Heat Transfer Engineering, BSc in Nuclear Engineering
Gilles Gauthier
- Bioenergy Expert, European Biomass Association (AEBIOM) and General Manager, European Pellet Council (EPC)
- Previously, coordinator of the Belgian Biomass Association (ValBiom)
- Degree in industrial engineering with a specialisation in agriculture and environment
Andreas Georg
- Senior Scientist, ISE Fraunhofer, Germany
- Expert in the field of materials science with a focus on optical coatings and corrosion stability
- PhD in physics
Thorsten Gerdes
- Academic Director, Chair of Materials Processing, University of Bayreuth, Germany
- Expert in Chemical Engineering & Materials Processing
- Doctorate of Engineering in Material Science
Javier Gil BarnĂł
- Head of the department "Thermo-chemical Applications of Biomass" at the National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER), Spain
- Before, senior researcher at the Biomass Energy Department at CENER
- Degree in chemistry (University of Saragossa), PhD
Fiona Hall
- Advisor on energy efficiency policy, principally for Rockwool International
- Previously, Member of the European Parliament (UK, ALDE) playing a leading role in EU energy efficiency and renewables legislation
- MA in Modern Languages, Oxford University
Neil Harrison
- Director, re:heat and Ingenious Energy, UK
- Vice Chairman, Wood Heat Association, and Chairman, Quality and Standards Committee
- MSc Rural Resource Management, BSc (hons) Geography
Hans Hartmann
- Head of area "biogenic solid fuels" at the "Technologie- und Förderzentrum" (TFZ), Germany
- Over 20 years of experience in applied research on the energetic use of renewable resources
- PhD in Agricultural Sciences
Benjamin Heiz
- Research Associate and PhD Student, Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research, University Jena, Germany
- Internships at Robert Bosch and Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials
- MSc in Materials Science and Engineering, EEIGM, France
Juan Antonio HernĂĄndez Ramos
- Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain
- Previously, Director, CES CEU Architecture, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain, and Co-founder of the technology-based company Intelliglass
- PhD in Numeric Simulation, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain
Jaap J.N.M. Hogeling
- Manager of international affairs of ISSO, the Dutch Building Services Knowledge Centre, The Netherlands, and chairperson of the CEN-TC371 Programme Committee on EPBD (Energy Performance Buildings Directive)
- Previously, Managing Director of ISSO and director of KBI
- MSc and ME, Delft Technical University
Mohamad Ibrahim
- Research Engineer & Project Manager, National Institute of Solar Energy (INES) and Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), France
- Previously, Research Energy Engineer at ARMINES, France
- Doctorate in Energy Engineering, Master in Applied Energy
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 at the Conference "Energy Efficiency Watch"
Speaker at the Energy Efficiency Services Conference
Rod Janssen
- Energy consultant
- Previously, Consultant to European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, International Energy Agency; Acting Head of the Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE)
- Master's in International Relations, Bachelorâs in Political Science
Werner Jensch
- Professor energy and building technology, University Munich, Manager at ASSMANN Consulting + Planning, Germany
- Previously, Manager at Ebert Engineers
- Doctorate in Energy Technology
Scott Johnstone
- Executive Director, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Previously, Executive Director, Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organisation and Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
- BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Maine; certified Professional Engineer
Thorsten KlÀs
- CFO and Director of Renewable Energy Businesses, Soil-Concept, Luxemburg
- Founder and Managing Director of Holzhaff Housen, 4Europe EEIG and Synerco, Luxemburg
- Degrees in Business Law and Business Administration
Lukas Kranzl
- Senior Researcher, Energy Economics Group, Vienna University of Technology, Austria
- More than 15 years of experience in energy system research; coordination of research projects in the field of sustainable energy systems with a focus on building related energy consumption
- Degree in industrial engineering and PhD in energy economics, Vienna University of Technology, Austria
Vlasta Krmelj
- Director of the Regional Energy Agency of Podravje (ENERGAP), Slovenia
- Expert in the fields of sustainable energy use and renewable energy sources, energy management and financing energy projects
- PhD in Chemical Engineering
Jarek Kurnitski
- Professor, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia; Adjunct Professor, Aalto University, Finland
- Leader of the NZEB research group at the Tallin University of Technology; Vice-President of REHVA
- Studies in energy performance and indoor climate of buildings, Building physics and structural engineering
Isabel Lacave Azpeitia
- Project Manager, Energy Efficiency Building Retrofitting, Acciona Infrastructure Technology Center, Spain
- Previously, Technical Project Coordinator and Researcher of various EU FP7 projects; Architect, Ruiz-Larrea & Asociados Sustainable Architecture, Spain
- Degrees in Bioclimatic Architecture and Architecture & Town Planning, Polytechnic University of Madrid
Peter Lange
- Sales Manager Central & South-East Europe, CPM Europe, NL
- Expert in the fields of process equipment and technologies for biomass, oilseed, animal feed and other industries as well as pelleting, grinding, conditioning and flaking solutions
Fanny-Pomme Langue
- Policy Director, AEBIOM
- Previously, Policy Officer, EU Commission (DG Energy); Deputy Director, French Forests Cooperatives Association (UCFF)
- Master degrees in EU Political Sciences and Agricultural Law
Monique LĂ©vy
- Research and Policy Officer, Directorate General for Research and Innovation, Directorate "Key Enabling Technologies", European Commission
- Previously, Senior Manager, International Public Affairs, Saint-Gobain
- PhD in Sciences, PhD in Arts
Ivan Lipovec
- Area Sales Manager, PAL, Italy
- Previously, Sales Area Manager and technology expert at IMAL and Pessa, Italy
- Degree in Wood Science, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
RĂŒdiger Lohse
- Head of Department Energy Services, Head of Contracting Competence Centre Baden-WĂŒrttemberg, KEA, Germany
- Cooperating Agent of IEA, EBC Annex 61 "Business and Technical Concepts for Deep Energy Retrofit of Public Buildings"
- Degree in Industrial Engineering, Mannheim, Germany
Agnieszka Lukaszewska
- Director of R&D, PRE Fasada, Poland
- Chairperson, Steering Committee of the project "Integrated System for Reducing Energy Demand of Buildings", National Centre of Research and Development, Poland
- Master degrees in Structural Engineering and Civil Engineering
Leopold Mader
- Head of Innovation, LiSEC Austria
- Coordinator of the EU-Project "MEM4WIN"
- Has held various positions within the LiSEC Group and LiSEC Technologiezentrum
Wim Malfait
- Head of the Superinsulation Group, Empa, Switzerland
- Previously, Research Scientist on experimental volcanology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- PhD in Glass Science from the ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Lorenzo Miccoli
- Research Associate, Bundesanstalt fĂŒr Materialforschung und -prĂŒfung (BAM), Germany
- Experience as engineer in the field of structural health monitoring and structural design of reinforced concrete buildings
- PhD in Building Engineering and Architecture, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Italy
BelĂ©n Moreno SantamarĂa
- Researcher on energy efficiency of electric and thermal energy in buildings, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain
- Previously, Senior Architect at IntelliGlass and Veidimanna Protum Arquitectos, Spain
- Degree in Architecture, Technical School of Architecture of Madrid and Sustainable Architecture, LTH, Sweden
Gerhard Muggen
- Managing Director BTG BioLiquids and Empyro, NL
- Previously, Sales Management and Marketing for international markets, Stork Thermeq
- Degree in Electrical Engineering
Gordon Murray
- Executive Director of the Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC)
- Experience as a corporate finance advisor to the forestry and bioenergy sectors, in senior management for international forest products manufacturers and as owner and operator of a forestry services company
- Bachelor of Science in Forestry, University of British Columbia, Canada
Sanjeev Naik
- Principal Project Leader, TWI, UK
- Over 16 years of experience in research and technology development in advanced materials
- PhD in Chemical Engineering
Ulrich Nyffenegger
- Head of the Energy Department at the Canton of Berne, Switzerland
- Fields: buildings, energy policy and energy legislation
- Degree in Chemistry and Energy Engineering
Ingwald Obernberger
- Managing Director of Bios Bioenergy Systems, Austria
- Head of the research group "Energetic Use of Biomass" at the Institute for Process and Particle Engineering, Technical University Graz
- Professor at the Technical University Graz
Christine Ăhlinger
- Head of Sector International Tasks at OĂ Energiesparverband
- Project management of international projects in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy
- Diploma in law, post graduate training on energy & environmental advice
Stefan Ortner
- Management Board, ĂkoFEN Pelletsheizung, Austria
- Responsible for product management, R&D, marketing as well as developing and managing export markets
- Degree in Engineering
Kaspars Osis
- Chairman, RCG Lighthouse, Latvia
- Previously, Head of Electricity Sales, Enefit Latvia / Eesti Energia
- MBA, Riga Business School; BSc, Stockholm School of Economics in Riga
Suhas Patel
- Chief of Technology and Business Development, Saurashtra Agro Briquettes, India
- Experience in the fields of biomass densification for effective industrial uses and groundnut shell briquettes production
- Master's degree in Telecommunication
Jose Ignacio Pedrajas
- CEO of PRODESA North America, USA
- Co-Founder and Business Development Manager, PRODESA Spain
- Degree in Industrial Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Spain
Belén Pérez-Pujazón Millån
- Architect, Project Manager, specialised in renewable energy and energy efficiency in buildings
- Assistant Teacher, Department of Building and Architectural Technology, Technical University of Madrid, Spain
- Doctorate in Building and Architectural Technology (Magna Cum Laude), Technical University of Madrid, Spain
Paddy Phelan
- Manager of the Carlow Kilkenny Energy Agency, Ireland
- Currently active at local and national level facilitating large scale Energy Performance Contracting for street lighting in Ireland
- Degree in Civil Engineering
Tim Portz
- Vice President of Content, BBI International; Executive Editor, Ethanol Producer Magazine, Pellet Mill Magazine and Biomass Magazine
- Previously, Educator and Selling Professional
- BFA, University of Iowa, USA
Francisco Puente
- Projects Director, ESCAN, Energy Consulting, Spain
- European Coordinator of Usmart.Consumer.eu
- PhD in Energy and Fuels Engineering, Madrid, Spain
Speaker at the European Pellet Conference
Speaker at the Energy Efficiency Services Conference
Michele Rebiere
- Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Viridis Energy, Canada
- President, Wood Pellet Association of Canada
- Previously, senior management positions in hedgefund administrators and technology companies
Stefan Retschitzegger
- Head of Unit "Medium and Large Scale Combustion", Bioenergy 2020+
- Previously, Senior Researcher, Bioenergy 2020+
- Degree in Process Engineering; Doctoral Student, Institute of Process and Particle Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Austria
Gregor Rinke
- CEO, Rinke Engineering, Germany, and Seeger Green Energy LLC, USA; Expert Advisor for pellet production plants
- Over 17 years of experience in the design and development of engineering services for pellet production plants in Europe and internationally
- Doctorate in Agricultural Science (Dr.sc.arg.)
Hubert Röder
- Professor in Business Economics of Renewable Resources, Straubing Center of Science, University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, Germany
- Previously, senior consultant and project leader at Pöyry Management Consulting, Munich
- Degree in Forest Sciences (University of Munich), PhD
Pablo Rodero Masdemont
- Responsible of biofuels certification for AVEBIOM, Spain and Director of AEBIOM
- Expert on bioenergy and solid biomass quality
- BSc in Forestry Engineering
Jan Rosenow
- Knowledge Leader for Energy Efficiency Policy and Principal Consultant, Ricardo Energy & Environment, UK
- Senior Research Fellow, Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), University of Sussex, UK
- PhD in Energy Policy and MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation
Yamina Saheb
- Senior Energy Efficiency Policy Analyst, OpenExp
- Previously, Scientific and Policy Officer, European Commission (JRC); Senior Energy Efficiency Policy Analyst, IEA
- PhD in Energy Engineering, Master degrees in Development Economics and Environmental Policies, Engineering degree in Building technologies
Benedikt Scharfe
- Managing Director, Technology and Application Center Spiegelau, Deggendorf Institute of Technology, Germany
- Previously, Research Associate, Chair of Materials Processing, University of Bayreuth, Germany
- Engineering degree in Material Science, University of Erlangen-NĂŒrnberg
Kay Schaubach
- Head of Working Group "Markets and Utilisation", Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum (DBFZ), Germany
- Experience in renewable energy project development, VORTEX Technologies
- Degree in Media Sciences, Technical University of Ilmenau, Germany
Fabian Schmid
- Engineer Research and Design, Seele, Germany
- Doctoral student at the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design (ILEK), University of Stuttgart, Germany
- Degree in Engineering
Martin Schröcker
- CEO of GlassX, Switzerland
- Previously, senior Associate for Bain & Company and in research and development with Inspire, Switzerland
- MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures, Imperial College London, UK; BSc in Mechanical Engineering, ETH ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
Velimir Ć egon
- Deputy Managing Director, North-West Croatia Regional Energy Agency, Croatia
- Previously, Senior Researcher, Energy Institute Hrvoje Pozar, Croatia
- MSc in Power Systems, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Dorin Marcel Sfaca
- President, Romanian Pellets and Briquettes Association
- 36 years of experience in the wood industry, wooden doors expert, furniture and since 2013 pellets
- Master degrees in Marketing and Trade Commerce
Adam Sherman
- Manager of the Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC), Vermont, USA
- Chair of the Northeast Biomass Thermal Working Group (NEBTWG), USA
- More than 20 years of experience in the biomass energy industry
Nelson Silva
- Researcher, Swedish Cement and Concrete Research Institute (CBI), Sweden
- Previously, Research Assistant in building materials, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden; Research Assistant in civil engineering, University of Minho, Portugal
- PhD and MSc in Civil Engineering, MSc in Chemical Engineering
Gordon Sutherland
- Senior Project Advisor, Horizon 2020 Energy Unit, EASME
- More than 25 years of experience in energy efficiency in buildings
- MSc in Energy Conservation and the Environment, Cranfield Institute of Technology (UK); BEng in Aeronautical Engineering, Glasgow University (UK)
Roel Swierenga
- Chairman, Hansa Green Tour Foundation, The Netherlands
- Director of Hanze Development, Cleantech Acceleration Consultancy, The Netherlands
- Degrees in International Relations & International Organisations and in Social Enterprises, The Netherlands
Walter Tenschert
- Managing Director Technology, Netz Oberösterreich
- Previously worked for Brown Boverie, Vienna, and Energie AG Oberösterreich
- Doctorate in Electrical and Energy Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Austria
Josep Verdaguer Espaulella
- Project Manager for biomass projects, solar energy and energy efficiency, Provincial Council of Barcelona, Spain
- Professor and Coordinator of the master degree programme in energy efficiency, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Master Degree in renewable energies, Polytechnic University of Barcelona, Spain; Degree in Economics, University of Nancy, France
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
Ulrich von FĂŒrstenberg
- Product Manager Commodities Derivatives, Markets & Global Sales, Euronext, France
- Experience in the fields of brokerage consulting for oils & fats and trading of biofuels
- BA (Hons) European Business Administration
Ian Watson
- Principal Consultant, Housing and Health, Building Research Establishment, UK
- Co-ordinated the design, development and delivery of the "Liverpool Healthy Homes" Programme
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Health; Post Graduate Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control; Professional Certificate in Residential Property Surveying
Alexander Weissinger
- Area Manager for biomass combustion systems, Bioenergy2020+
- Previously, Research Manager for Kraft und WĂ€rme aus Biomasse (KWB), Austria
- Doctorate in Process Engineering, Technical University of Graz, Austria
Monika Willert-Porada
- Professor and Chairholder at the Chair of Materials Processing, Faculty of Engineering, University of Bayreuth, Germany
- Founder and President of the Research Institute for Innovative Process Engineering (InVerTec), University of Bayreuth, Germany
- Doctorate in Chemistry and Biology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
Friedrich Wolff
- Product Development and Application, 3M Advanced Materials Division, Germany
- Experience in the application and product development of 3M glass bubbles (Hollow Glass Microspheres)
- Doctorate in Materials Science, Institute of Polymer Materials, University of Erlangen-NĂŒrnberg, Germany
Theodor Zillner
- Deputy head of the division for energy and environmental technologies at the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT)
- Programme manager of the impulse programme "Stadt der Zukunft" (city of the future)
- Degree in mechanical and process engineering, Technical University Vienna, Austria
