Lecture Notes: Cleaning Up Podcast by Michael Liebreich

Introduction

• Host: Michael Liebreich
• Event: Euroelectric Power Summit at Lagonisi Beach Resort, Athens
• Keynote: Kyriakos Mitsotakis (Greek PM) and Maxim Timchenko (CEO, DTEK)
• Main Topics:
  • Accelerating transmission build-out
  • Digitization and AI in power sector

Interview with Leonard Birnbaum

• Role: CEO of E.ON, President of Euroelectric
• Location: Beach setting, discussed new energy world

E.ON Overview

• Focus on infrastructure, smart energy solutions
• No longer in generation business
• Major transformations since 2015:
  • Split from generation to focus on infrastructure & customers (Uniper)
  • Managed nuclear liabilities
  • Acquired grids, renewables from Energy and RWE

Nuclear Policy Discussion

• E.ON responsible for decommissioning nuclear sites
• Political decisions on nuclear plant shutdowns

Euroelectric Reports

• Grids for Speed Report:

  • Focus on distribution grids, not just transmission
  • Investment needs: Doubling current investments
  • Importance of anticipatory investment

• Digitization Report:

  • Digital transformation critical for future grid management
  • Different stages of maturity across utilities

Key Discussions

• Transmission vs Distribution: Both essential for future energy needs
• Regulation: Incentives needed for smart grid investments
• Anticipatory Investment: Build for future demand, regulatory challenges
• Digitization: Full process digitization necessary, AI integration

Global Perspective

• Importance of leapfrogging in India and Africa for decarbonization
• Challenges and opportunities in global energy transition

European Union and Energy

• Advocacy for a pro-European stance in upcoming elections
• Challenges in Europe's energy market: High costs, regulatory environment

Final Thoughts

• Future priorities: Security of supply, fair risk distribution, continued focus on grids and digitization

Additional Resources

• Links to Euroelectric and E.ON websites
• Euroelectric Power Summit 2024 resources
• Previous episode with Christian Rubi

Closing Remarks

• Encouragement to engage with materials and episodes for further insights.