Energy + Building Technology 2024 symposium | Energy transition - it's our turn

For many years, the Energy + Building Technology Conference has offered representatives from politics, companies, scientific institutions and interested parties a platform for a solution-oriented exchange on energy-related topics, market trends and projects in energy and building technology.

On 6 June 2024, conference chair Prof. Gero Guzek welcomed the participants of the 12th Scientific Conference on Energy + Building Technology 2024 at HTWK Leipzig together with Mayor Heiko Rosenthal (City of Leipzig and Alderman for Environment, Climate, Order and Sport) and Rector Prof. Mark Mietzner (HTWK Leipzig). The date could not be more fitting. After all, the university has been training young scientists in energy technology for 75 years now.

The participants were treated to an exciting panel discussion on the topic of the energy transition/GEG 2024 with State Secretary Dr Gerd Lippold, the Rector of HTWK Prof Mark Mietzner and the President of the Leipzig Chamber of Industry and Commerce Kristian Kirpal. Solution-oriented and exciting presentations were offered in parallel specialist sections, in particular on the topics of digitalisation in building energy technology, circular and optimised construction, municipal heat planning/GEG 2024 and the simulation of networked energy systems. In the foyer, visitors had the opportunity to find out about current market trends.

Here are some of the key messages we can take away:

• Openness to technology, circular construction and the circular economy are indispensable components for achieving the energy transition.
• Municipal heat planning is making good progress in many places.
• Sector coupling remains important for the future.
• The energy sources of air, water, solar and geothermal energy can become an integral part of future local heating solutions.
• Digitalisation in building energy technology is driving efficiency.
• Simulations of networked energy systems are becoming increasingly important in order to harmonise energy demand and supply.
• Public acceptance is important - bans are not suitable for driving forward the energy transition.
• Energy must remain affordable for everyone; politicians want to and must provide suitable framework conditions.

"The symposium has shown that it is all the more worthwhile, especially in times of difficult framework conditions, to discuss energy-related issues together in an open-ended and solution-orientated manner and to achieve results. As a university, we are more than just a source of inspiration here; we bring together the private sector, science and politics," emphasised conference director Prof. Gero Guzek.