Emart Energy 2013: Preparing Energy Traders for the Impact of Renewables

Berlin, Germany, September 12, 2013 --(PR.com)-- "Recharging the wholesale markets – a new identity for energy traders?" is the theme for this year’s EMART Energy conference and expo in Berlin where Europe’s foremost energy traders will meet from 26-27 November. More than 850 energy trading experts are expected at the 15th edition of EMART Energy, at what is regarded as Europe’s largest and leading industry platform.

Increasing share of renewables
Says the EMART Energy director Nel Jonk: "we have seen extremely successful years for the traded markets in which energy trading evolved with extreme rapidity. However, the wholesale market has come to a turning point. From the liberalisation of the energy market, concerns have now shifted to the impact of an increasing share of renewables entering the market, particularly in Germany, and the changing regulatory environment traders currently have to deal with."

Challenge of renewable integration
Stefan-Jörg Göbel, Head of Trading & Origination Continental, Statkraft Markets in Germany is one of the leading energy experts who will address EMART Energy in Berlin and states that renewable integration remains the biggest challenge for the wholesale market. He explains: "Slim margins on the generation side will not make it easier. On the one hand innovation will be important for each individual market player. For the sector as a whole it will be crucial to have a healthy dialogue with policy makers to make sure any future system is sustainable also economically."

Another speaker at EMART Energy 2013, Laszlo Varro, Head of Gas, Coal and Power Markets Division, IEA in France, says the growth of renewable energy is “leading to more volatile power flows, which increases the importance of well-functioning markets. As renewable technologies mature, the current feed in tariffs will have to be replaced by market based incentives. Given the location of the best resources, a decarbonised system will have to be integrated at the EU level. All of this points towards an important role for electricity markets.”

Domenico De Luca, Head International Trading & Origination at Axpo Trading AG in Switzerland will address EMART Energy on the challenges and opportunities in the power market development in Europe. Says Mr De Luca: “I will touch upon the challenges that our industry is facing and bring to debate some ways in which energy trading divisions can partially alleviate the pains of the group companies. Also I would like to indicate possible changes or amendments to feed-in renewable schemes, to get a more efficient and market oriented use of the capital.”

EMART Energy’s Nel Jonk says this year’s conference programme has a dedicated session on renewables to prepare traders for the changing dynamics of the generation mix. “As Germany has really embraced renewables which have become an increasingly important part of the country’s power generation, we could not think of a more fitting location than Berlin to host EMART Energy this year.”

More speaker highlights in Berlin:
• Alberto Ponti, Managing Director - Head European Utilities, Société Générale, UK
• Alex McDonald, CEO, Wholesale Market Brokers Association, UK
• András Hujber, Policy Officer, DG Energy, European Commission, Belgium
• Arnaud Cruiziat, Co-Head of Gas, Power, Coal and Emissions Markets Europe, Société Générale, France
• Christophe Cesson, NRA Cooperation Officer, ACER, Slovenia
• Giles Ward, Policy Officer, DG Markt, European Commission, Belgium
• Jon O'Sullivan, WG RES Convenor, ENTSO-E/ Eirgrid, Ireland
• Riccardo Rossi Regulatory Affairs Senior Analyst, Gazprom Marketing & Trading, UK

Full interviews with speakers available online.

EMART Energy dates and location:
Conference and exhibition: 26-27 November
Location: Estrel Convention Center, Sonnenallee 225, Berlin, Germany