TEB Forum Vienna 2026: Energy Transition in CEE

Karoline Narodoslawsky serves as Senior Energy Adviser at the Austrian Federal Ministry for Economy, Energy and Tourism (BMWET). With a strongbackground in European energy policy, she plays a critical role in strategic energy planning and shaping Austria’s response tot he evolving European energy landscape

Marie-Therese Richter-Kuhnert is the Deputy Director and Head of the Legal Unit at the Energy Community Secretariat.Based in Vienna, she is a central figure in navigating the complex legal realities of Europe's energy transition, focusing on market integration, security of supply, and the alignment of energy law across the EU and Contracting Parties.

As the Head of the Center for Energy at the AIT, Dr. Friederich Kupzog is at the forefront of energy research and innovation.His expertise lies in smart grids, energy system modeling, and the technological advancements required to build resilient and sustainable energy infrastructures across Europe.

Christian Mikosch is a Partner at Wolf Theiss, bringing deep expertise in corporate law, international commerce, and complex M&A transactions.He is widely recognized for his strategic legal counsel on cross-border energy projects, infrastructure investments, and navigating the dynamic business landscape of the CEE and SEE regions.

Adina Stoica is a leading legal expert driving Romania’s transition to sustainable energy. As Head of Legal at 4P Renewables, she leads M&A, regulatory, and development strategies required to develop, finance, and deliver large-scale renewable energy projects in the region.

She holds a dual academic background in law and an MSc in Renewable Energy Systems from TU Wien. Her specialized academic and professional focus bridges energy law and technological infrastructure.

Jiří Bím is the Head of the Agrivoltaics Section and expert guarantor at the Czech Solar Association.He is a key advocate for dual land-use solutions, actively shaping the legislative and technological conditions needed to integrate solar energy production with sustainable agriculture in the Czech Republic.

## Kitti Kropkó | Head of Regulatory Affairs, MAVIR (Hungary)

Kitti Kropkó serves as the Head of Regulatory Affairs at MAVIR, the Hungarian Independent Transmission Operator. A key voice in Hungary's energy sector, she plays a vital role in shaping the strategy and vision for a decentralized energy system. Her expertise bridges the operational realities of the transmission grid with the complex regulatory frameworks required to integrate renewable energy, ensure grid stability, and drive Hungary’s transition toward a sustainable energy future.

Henriette Spyra has been serving as Director General at the Austrian Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure since 2021 following a two-year-term as Director Science & Innovation at the Austrian Environment Agency. As an innovation and mobility expert she looks back at a 15 year career in various public sector positions as well as research institutions. She is member of the supervisory board at AIT Austrian Institute of Technology as well as SAL Silicon Austria Labs. She also serves as co-president of the Climate & Energy Fund. A stubborn optimist Henriette enjoys bridging the worlds of policy, technology, sustainability and innovation. Originally from East Berlin, Henriette believes in falling walls. She holds degrees from the University of Oxford as well as the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University.

Linda Kirchberger studied Applied Geophysics at the University of Leoben and has 20 years of experience in the oil & gas industry. Most recently, she headed the Exploration & Production Technology Center & Laboratory as well as the New Technologies department at OMV. In August 2022, she took on the Business Unit Asset Decarbonization & New Technologies at Wien Energie (WE) and is responsible for the decarbonization of district heating through geothermal energy, large heat pumps and seasonal storage and building up green hydrogen projects along the entire value chain. In addition, her business unit is developing CCUS & Phosphorus Recycling and manages the overall R&D activities at Wien Energie. Also, Linda is one of the two managing directors of Wiener Wasserstoff GmbH since March 2023.

Ralf-Roman Schmidt is a senior research engineer and is working at the Austrian Institute of Technology since June 2009, where he is responsible for the development and management of national and international projects in the field of district heating and integrated energy systems. His research priorities are decarbonization strategies and sector coupling, digitization and flexibility as well as low temperature district heating networks. He holds key positions in international networks.

Helene Mooslechner completed her degree in Petroleum Engineering at the Montanuniversität Leoben. After graduating, she joined Wien Energie as a project developer for deep geothermal energy, where she also took on the role of lead researcher for the ATES Vienna project. Since December 2023, she has been part of a joint venture between Wien Energie and OMV, where she works as a project manager on the development and implementation of deep geothermal energy projects.

Georg Danzinger has been working at Wien Energie since 2011 on the implementation of new generation plants for Vienna’s district heating network. Initially, these were traditional generation plants using conventional fuels, but since 2015 he has been implementing exclusively renewable heat generation systems, particularly heat pump systems, thereby helping to achieve the decarbonisation of district heating in Vienna.

Dr. Andrea Edelmann is the chairwoman and spokesperson of the Executive Board of "Green Energy Lab". She heads up the Group Function ‘Innovation & Sustainability’ within the EVN Group. The graduate technical chemist is a graduate of the Stanford LEAD program in Corporate Innovation at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she also works as an ambassador and she is a certified Design Thinking Coach.

Jürgen Schneider is the Director General of the Directorate-General Climate at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management. He holds a phD in chemistry. Before joining the Ministry 2018, he was spokesman and member of the management board of the Environment Agency Austria. He lead the work on climate change and energy at the Environment Agency Austria for more than a decade. From 2002 to 2004 he worked at the World Health Organisation as a project manager in the field of environment and health. He is also co-editor of the first Austrian Assessment Report on Climate Change.

Petya Barzilska is Head of Policy and Research at the European Initiative for Energy Security (EIES), where she leads research and policy analysis on European energy security, critical infrastructure protection, and supply chains, with a focus on strategictechnologies such as batteries and critical materials. She develops risk-based frameworks to assess investments, scale-up challenges, and vulnerabilities across energy and industrial systems, linking geopolitical risk analysis with practical supply chain andinvestment strategies. Her work supports policy development and engagement with European policymakers, industry, and investors, as well as transatlantic cooperation. She previously held roles at ISS STOXX, S&P Global and IHS Markit, specialising in geopoliticaland ESG risk analysis.

With over two decades of experience in technology commercialization at Austria's largest research organization, Peter specializes in bridging the gap between deep-tech research and market-ready startups. He'll share insights on how AIT's innovation ecosystem connects academia, capital, and policy to accelerate the commercialization of energy technologies critical to CEE's transition.

A grid specialist with 20+ years at AIT focused on integrating distributed renewable generation into transmission and distribution networks, Helfried brings deep technical expertise on power system planning in an era of decentralization. He'll address the critical question of whether distribution grids can keep pace with the rapid integration of DERs, EVs, and electrified heating across CEE.

## Jakob Cencic | Director CEE & Middle East, Austrian Business Agency
(ABA – INVEST in AUSTRIA)

Leading investment promotion and strategic partnerships for Austria as a business location, Jakob connects international startups and scale-ups with Austria's innovation ecosystem, R&D incentives, and EU market access. He'll share how Austria serves as a springboard for deep-tech energy companies looking to scale from CEE into DACH and broader European markets.

Leading the voice of 38 European DSOs in policy engagement with EU institutions, Charles brings the distribution grid operator's perspective on the infrastructure investment, regulatory reform, and smart grid modernization needed to support the energy transition. He'll address how DSOs across CEE are preparing their networks for mass electrification, decentralization, and the integration of data centers and other large flexible loads.

With decades of experience in renewable energy spanning the Austrian Institute of Technology, academia, and independent consulting, Hubert has been a key figure in international solar policy since joining IEA-PVPS in 2001. He'll bring the global PV technology and policy perspective to the CEE Energy Security session, connecting supply chain resilience for critical minerals and solar manufacturing with broader energy security strategies.

Leading AEE INTEC's department focused on sustainable building and energy technologies, Wolfgang brings hands-on expertise in heat storage systems, digital building twins, and the practical deployment of renewable heating solutions. As moderator of the Day 2 session on scaling heating and cooling decarbonization across CEE, he'll guide the conversation on translating international best practices into regionally appropriate solutions.

Building on 11+ years leading innovation at MODUL University Vienna and now steering The Spinoff Factory at TU Wien, Christian connects scientific research with entrepreneurial talent and investment capital to accelerate deep-tech spinoffs. He'll contribute to the Project Stage panel on synchronizing academia, policy, and capital to close CEE's energy innovation commercialization gap.

As the Managing Director responsible for customer service, digitalization, and metering management at Vienna's distribution grid operator, Ilse leads the practical implementation of grid modernization in one of Austria's most complex urban networks. She'll share real-world insights on how DSOs are managing the rapid integration of DERs, EV charging, and smart grid technologies while maintaining reliability for millions of customers

With 15+ years driving growth and innovation in the energy transition, including recent attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Philipp leads Enery's strategic initiatives in grid-ready assets, BESS, and market integration across CEE. He'll discuss how utility-scale storage and hybrid renewable portfolios can be structured to attract long-term capital through effective revenue stacking and offtake frameworks.

With over a decade of experience in renewable power trading and market integration, Maximilian leads power trading operations and the development of digital market data platforms at Oekostrom. He'll contribute expertise on how ancillary services, capacity markets, and innovative trading products can unlock grid capacity and make grid-ready assets bankable — a central theme of the Capital Catalyst session.

Working at the nexus of energy, technology, and policy at the World Economic Forum, Maciej supports global leaders in accelerating the deployment of advanced energy solutions including energy storage, carbon management, sustainable aviation fuel, clean hydrogen, and advanced nuclear. His Day 1 keynote will connect the geopolitics of energy transition with the practical pathways for industrial decarbonization in Europe's current environment.

Leading CzechInvest's EcoTech and Mobility Innovation Hub, Filip connects cleantech startups with strategic partnerships, funding, and innovation support across the Czech Republic's technology incubation ecosystem. He'll contribute to the Project Stage discussion on how regional innovation programs can bridge the gap between academic research and commercial deployment in the CEE energy sector.

A pioneer in direct air capture (DAC) technology coordination and supply chain management for carbon removal, Gerhard has led major CO₂ capture projects including ViennaGreenCO₂. As a speaker in the Startup Showcase, he'll share insights on scaling hard climate tech from pilot to industrial deployment — connecting Vienna's and Austria's role as a hub for carbon capture innovation with broader CEE opportunities.

Leading a specialized management consultancy focused on the energy industry, Thomas brings analytical expertise on BESS profitability, market dynamics, and investment strategies across CEE. His case study comparing battery storage economics across the region will provide data-driven insights on how different regulatory environments and market structures affect the bankability of storage assets.

Leading energy technology and process engineering at EVN's thermal power facilities, Thomas oversees the transition of traditional thermal assets toward renewable and low-carbon operations. His Day 2 presentation on EVN's river-water heat pump projects in Dürnrohr and Korneuburg will showcase how existing thermal infrastructure can be repurposed for large-scale renewable heating.

Helping decision-makers in the energy sector plan investments in sustainable infrastructure with clarity on regulation and investment logic, Malte brings a consulting perspective on the financial and regulatory frameworks shaping grid and energy infrastructure. As co-conductor of the Energy Solution Design Lab workshop, he'll guide participants through a structured approach to selecting and prioritizing decentralized energy solutions for their specific contexts.

A sustainability and communications professional focused on ESG integration and transformation leadership, Daniel helps organizations build resilience through sustainability strategy and manage ESG risks in energy transition projects. As co-conductor of the Energy Solution Design Lab workshop alongside Malte, he'll bring the ESG and risk-perception dimension to the hands-on energy solution building exercise.

Leading Europe's sovereign cloud platform with over 28 years in the IT/tech sector, Mathias has expanded Exoscale's data center footprint across Southeast Europe, including a new zone in Croatia. As a panelist on the Data Center Dilemma session, he'll address how Europe can balance the rapid expansion of data centers with grid stability, and how waste heat integration can turn data centers into assets for the broader energy system.

Working in European energy market system design and analysis at Austria's transmission system operator, Matthias has moderated high-level panels on EU internal energy market integration, including discussions on integrating Switzerland and driving pan-European energy market progress by 2028. As moderator of Day 1's Capital Catalyst session, he'll guide the conversation on financing grid-ready assets and de-risking infrastructure investment through EU instruments.

Leading Danfoss's district energy digital solutions and hydronics sales across the DACH region, Peter brings expertise in decarbonization and optimization technologies for district heating and cooling systems. As a panelist on the Data Center Dilemma, he'll contribute the technology supplier's perspective on how digital solutions, heat recovery, and system optimization can turn data centers from grid stressors into integrated energy assets.

## Teresa Pachernegg - Head of Technical Management, Energie AG

Teresa Pachernegg has many years of experience in the energy sector, with a focus on energy management, sales, trading operations, strategic marketing and technical management. She studied Energy and Environmental Management and holds an Executive MBA in General Management.
After starting her career in the industrial energy technology sector, she held several positions at VNG Austria and Wien Energie, including senior leadership roles in Sales & Marketing, Telecommunications and New Business Fields. Most recently, she served as Division Manager Sales & Marketing. Since June 2025, she has been leading Technical Management at Energie AG Oberösterreich, focusing on the interface between technology, strategy and implementation, with particular emphasis on security of supply, circulartiy, sustainable solutions, innovation and future-ready energy infrastructure.

Specializing in spatial energy planning and integrated heat planning at the system level, Franz brings research expertise on how municipalities and regions can design coordinated energy systems that optimize renewable deployment, grid infrastructure, and heat supply. His Day 2 presentation on the national rollout of Spatial Energy Planning (SEP) will showcase how Austria is institutionalizing integrated energy planning — a model with direct relevance for CEE countries developing their own regional energy strategies.

As President of Serbia's Data Center Association and a sales leader at Schneider Electric with deep expertise in energy efficiency and sustainability solutions for data centers, Jelena brings a dual industry-association perspective on the data center challenge in Southeast Europe. She'll contribute the regional viewpoint on how CEE and the Western Balkans can balance digital growth with grid stability, and what policy frameworks are needed to turn data centers into energy system assets.

As a direct investment expert leading the CEE and research location portfolio at Austria's national investment promotion agency, Birgit connects international companies with Austria's innovation ecosystem, funding programs, and strategic location advantages. She'll share how the Austrian Business Agency supports startups and scale-ups in the energy sector, and why Vienna serves as a strategic springboard for companies looking to expand from CEE into DACH markets and beyond.

Managing supply chain operations at Austria's largest energy utility, Julia brings practical expertise on the procurement, logistics, and risk management challenges of securing critical energy infrastructure components. As a panelist on CEE Energy Security & Supply Chain Resilience, she'll share how large utilities are strengthening their supply chains, managing risk exposure, and building collaboration frameworks to secure critical infrastructure across CEE.

A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and EU Young Energy Ambassador, Lukas founded HydroSolid to solve one of the energy transition's toughest challenges: safe, accessible hydrogen storage. With patents in 43 countries and projects spanning from Austria to the UAE, he'll share the startup journey of taking deep-tech hydrogen storage from lab to industrial deployment — a powerful case study for the Scaling Hard Energy/Climate Tech session.

Building bridges between science, business, and investment ecosystems at TU Wien's Spinoff Factory, Antonia leads partnership development and communications for one of Austria's most active academic spinoff acceleration programs. As moderator of the Project Stage panel on unlocking regional energy innovation potential, she'll facilitate the conversation on how to synchronize academia, policy, and capital to close CEE's energy innovation commercialization gap.

As a Partner at inloop, a sustainability consulting firm, and a lecturer at FH des BFI Wien, Lydia specializes in supply chain sustainability, ESG, and the intersection of business strategy with environmental responsibility. As moderator of the CEE Energy Security & Supply Chain Resilience session, she'll guide the panel on how data, risk management, and collaboration can strengthen energy security through resilient supply chains and flexible energy assets across the CEE region.

As Co-Founder of The Energy Bridge, Daniel builds Europe's innovation marketplace for the energy transition, connecting policy, industry, startups, and research across CEE. A community builder and energy podcaster with a background from TU Wien, he'll co-deliver the opening on why coordination — not capacity — is CEE's real energy challenge, framing TEB's role as a system integrator across the region's fragmented energy ecosystem.

Leading data center solutions at Enel PS while serving as Vice President of Serbia's Data Center Association, Milos brings deep technical and industry association expertise on data center development in Southeast Europe. As a panelist on the Data Center Dilemma, he'll share insights on how data center expansion can be aligned with grid stability and energy system integration, particularly in emerging CEE markets where infrastructure is still developing.

## Robert Somogyi | COO, Hungarian Innovation Agency (NIU) & CEO, WOL Consulting Group

With over 30 years of experience in academia, entrepreneurship, and consulting, he specializes in strategy, digital transformation, and innovation management. At NIU, he drives national programs that connect research with business, helping startups and companies scale globally. At WOL Consulting Group, he advises organizations on strategic growth and organizational change. Bridging research, business, and policy, he is dedicated to fostering competitiveness and strengthening Hungary’s innovation ecosystem.

Detail paragraph...

As COO of BM2Solar, which co-locates battery storage with solar PV plants for independent power producers, Marko brings operational expertise on the intersection of solar generation, AI-powered BESS dispatch, and energy market optimization. As a panelist on the Capital Catalyst session, he'll share practical insights on how hybrid RES-storage portfolios can be structured to unlock grid capacity, reduce curtailment, and attract investment-grade capital through effective revenue stacking.

As Managing Director of Kärnten Netz, the distribution grid operator for Austria's Carinthia region, Eva leads one of the most challenging grid modernization efforts in Europe — integrating high levels of renewable generation, managing electrification of transport and heating, and maintaining reliability for a mountainous region. As a panelist on the distribution grid session, she'll share real-world insights on grid planning and operation in a decentralized energy future from a regional DSO perspective.

Working at the intersection of deep-tech research and business strategy at AIT, Bharath turns advanced grid planning research into commercial solutions, including founding Raphson for advanced grid planning software. As moderator of the distribution grid panel, he'll guide the conversation on how innovation and research from institutions like AIT can bridge the gap between cutting-edge grid technologies and practical deployment across CEE's distribution networks.

Leading Austria's Climate and Energy Fund as CEO, Bernd oversees the strategic funding programs that drive Austria's path to climate neutrality by 2040. Previously Vienna's Chief Energy Planner, he brings a unique perspective connecting municipal energy planning with national innovation funding. As a speaker in the Project Stage on the Catalyst for 2040, he'll explain how the Klima- und Energiefonds orchestrates Austria's energy transition and serves as a model for other CEE countries.

Co-Founding sequestra, a deep-tech startup focused on carbon removal technologies, Lukas represents the next generation of Austrian climate tech entrepreneurs scaling from pilot to industrial deployment. As a speaker in the Startup Showcase, he'll share insights on the challenges and opportunities of bringing hard energy and climate tech solutions to market, and how Austria's ecosystem supports the journey from lab to commercial scal

Overseeing a service portfolio focused on infrastructure transformation with a personal emphasis on data center projects, Heinz brings deep expertise in maximizing data center value for operators, municipalities, and energy suppliers. As moderator of the Data Center Dilemma panel, he'll facilitate the discussion on how Europe can balance data sovereignty and rapid data center expansion with grid stability — and how waste heat integration can turn these facilities into energy system assets.

Rahul is a business development and strategy professional who co-founded The Energy Bridge (TEB) to build a community intelligence platform connecting policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and innovators across the CEE and SEE energy ecosystems. With an MS from TU Wien, his work sits at the intersection of energy strategy, entrepreneurship, and ecosystem building — focused specifically on turning ambition into execution around grid modernization, energy storage, and industrial decarbonization through cross-border collaboration and strategic partnerships. As Co-Founder, he leads TEB's flagship annual Forum (bringing together the entire CEE energy ecosystem), runs a podcast series featuring conversations with energy leaders from across the region, and is currently working to launch a queryable legal and technical knowledge platform TEB KLUB for the energy transition.

Guillaume Michalag is a public cloud provider and member of A1 Digital. He has been with Exoscale since 2018, driving the company’s work in operational security, information security compliance, regulatory monitoring, and environmental initiatives.

Before joining Exoscale, Guillaume worked at Virtua SA, formerly a prominent Swiss digital agency, as Project Manager and Director of Innovation. Earlier in his career, he held technical project management and software architecture roles at Osiatis. Drawing on an interdisciplinary background spanning software, natural language processing, and the humanities, plus more than 20 years of experience in IT, he brings strong technical expertise and a broad perspective across security, regulation, sustainability, and artificial intelligence.

## Angelos Chronis is CEO & Co-Founder of infrared.city

Angelos Chronis is currently the CEO & Co-Founder of infrared.city, and Co-Director of the Master in AI for Architecture at IAAC. He is also a Senior Research Engineer at the Austrian Institute of Technology, His workfocuses on performative design, simulation, and data-driven optimization. He has taught at UCL Bartlett, Bauhaus University, and other institutions internationally.

## Markus Fischer, Energy Expert, NEOS

Markus Fischer is an energy expert with close to 10 years of experience across regulation, industry, and finance. He has worked across industry and policy, including at Tesla, Engie, and the United Nations, as well as at Ørsted, where he shaped EU energy policy during the energy crises of the 2020s and worked in M&A and corporate PPA teams. He recently joined EY, where he enables energy transition investors to leverage public capital. Markus holds two Master’s from Sciences Po and Peking University, as well as a Bachelor’s from WU Vienna.

Within NEOS, Markus is a thought leader on energy policy and in the management team of NEOS 10. Through his political work, including engagement in local energy discussions, he brings a perspective grounded in on-the-ground realities. He speaks on behalf of NEOS.

## Giulia Conforto, Senior Researcher, e-think energy research

Giulia Conforto is a Senior Researcher at e-think energy research. Her research primarily centres on financing the decarbonisation of buildings, heating and cooling, with a growing emphasis on geothermal energy. Giulia conducts policy and economic assessments, capacity building, projects acquisition. She holds a degree in International Relations, Diplomacy, and Energy Economics, and is certified as a project and energy manager. Her experience includes work in utilities, consultancies, the UN initiative Sustainable Energy for All, and the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation (IFC).

## Judith Kapeller, Research Engineer & Business Developer, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology

Judith Kapeller is a leading expert in the techno-economic evaluation of complex energy systems at the AIT Center for Energy. Since 2019, she has spearheaded the development of TESCA, a specialized framework used to simulate and optimize hybrid power plants. Her work is at the forefront of the CEE energy transition, focusing on the integration of renewable generation, battery storage, and green hydrogen production. Judith’s expertise lies in bridging the gap between technical feasibility and market profitability, helping stakeholders navigate the transition toward decentralized and resilient energy systems. She holds an MSc in Renewable Urban Energy Systems from FH Technikum Wien and is an active member of the Women in Green Hydrogen network.

## Ana Garcia | Product Manager, Flexa

Ana Garcia is a Product Manager at Flexa, where she leads product initiatives for one of Europe's largest residential Virtual Power Plants. With a background spanning utilities, scale-ups, and ecosystem building, she works at the intersection of household assets, energy markets, and grid requirements, translating regulatory and technical complexity into scalable, customer-centric flexibility solutions. Beyond her professional role, Ana founded the Munich Energy Stammtisch, a grassroots community now counting over 225 energy professionals across startups, utilities, grid operators, and academia.

## Harald Bartsch | Co-Founder & CEO of Terraformer

Terraformer is a deep-tech startup converting industrial waste heat into usable products

## Gerald Stangl | Executive Founder Roots Energy

Gerald Stangl is a company builder and trained construction engineer.
Prior to founding Roots, Gerald was a co-founder and executive board member of a globally active digital health company. His diverse background allows him to navigate complex technical landscapes while ensuring clear, impactful communication.

## Michael "Misha" Kowatschew | Co-founder, Heizma

Michael Kowatschew is a serial entrepreneur and climate enthusiast dedicated to the carbon-neutral transformation of the residential sector. As the co-founder of Heizma, he leads one of Austria’s fastest-growing full-service electrification providers, specializing in the integrated installation of heat pumps, photovoltaic systems, and battery storage. Beyond his operational role, Michael is a Partner at Optima, where he focuses on AI-driven real-time optimization of heat and electricity for homes and grids. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former national karate champion, he brings a high-performance approach to scaling green technology. He also serves as a scout for Sequoia Capital and is a board member of the Sigma Squared Society, supporting the next generation of impact-driven founders.

## Christoph Malzer | Sales Operations Manager, Navitasoft

Christoph Malzer, who has over 15 years of experience in the energy software industry, joined Navitasoft in 2023 as a Business Development Manager to support the grid developments and enable flexible assets that stabilize the grid, reduce emissions, and lower costs. In his early days in the industry, he implemented ETRM systems at utility companies in Europe.

Christoph holds a master’s degree in environmental systems sciences from the University of Graz and an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from the HTL in Wels.

## Christian Strobl | Chief Commercial Officer, Podero

Christian Strobl is Chief Commercial Officer at Podero, the Vienna-based software platform that helps European utilities orchestrate residential energy flexibility and trade it on the wholesale markets. He joined Podero in April 2026 and shapes the company's commercial strategy across Europe.

He brings more than a decade of leadership experience across energy and fintech. Most recently, he served as Country Manager at Dutch solar provider Soly, where he led the company's market entry in Austria and its continued growth in Germany. Before that, he headed the Austrian operations of digital bank N26. He started his career as the founder of a hospitality start-up and as a strategy consultant at Strategy& (PwC).

## Klaus Reisinger | Geschäftsführender Gesellschafter, ClimatePartner Austria

Klaus Reisinger is a passionate climate advocate, with a strong scientific background. He founded ClimatePartner Austria in 2007 and since then he supported the company as a managingpartner. Moreover, Klaus Reisinger is an active Scientist4Future and a visiting professor at Burgenland University since 2008 and teaches the topic "climate protection". In 2018 he was appointed to the board of IG Lebenszyklus Bau, where he is responsiblefor climate neutral real estate buildings. In 2026 he was asked to join the board of UN Global Compact in Austria as a Board Member.

## Franziska Zimmer | Senior Expertin Commerce & Industry, Austrian Energy Agency

Franziska Zimmer has been working as a Senior Expert at the Austrian Energy Agency for three years, where she leads national projects on heatpumps and sector coupling as a project manager. Previously, she was, among other roles, responsible at Siemens AG for the planning and construction of mechanical systems for international gas and combined cycle power plant projects.

## Nela Sljivljak | Regional Manager FDI CEE. SEE, CIS Vienna Business Agency

Are you exploring the possibility of establishing a Vienna branch for your business from the CEE region, the CIS, or SoutheasternEurope? Vienna offers more than a central location. For businesses from Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, it is a stable, international and highly connected gateway to the DACH region and Western Europe. We will be happy to answer your questions toexpedite the process of establishing your company's presence in Vienna.

## Jakob Embacher | Policy Advisor, BMWET

Jakob Embacher serves as a policy officer in the division for energy strategy at the Austrian Federal Ministry for Economy, Energy and Tourism (BMWET). His work focuses on the decarbonisationof industry as a lever to strengthen Austria‘s competitiveness and resilience.

## Tom Cotter | Co-founder and CEO of Sisyphus

Sisyphus is a deep-tech spin-out of the University of Leoben developing a catalytic process to convert waste CO₂ into renewable carbon monoxide for the chemical industry and sustainable fuels. He holds a PhD from the Fritz Haber Institute and spent over a decade at Clariant leading the development of catalysts and materials resulting in more than €100 million in sales. His career has spanned hydrogen, Power-to-X, and renewable syngas, giving him a giving him a firsthand understanding of what it takes to move new chemistry from the laboratory to industrial scale.

## Guntram Pressmair | Partner and Consultant at e7 energy innovation & engineering

Guntram holds a Master’s degree in Environmental and Bio-Resource Management from BOKU University Vienna. He has been part of e7 energy innovation & engineering since 2016, with a break for an international study visit. He is currently one of the partners at e7, where he heads the Electricity division and oversees e7’s research agenda. As a project manager on international and Austrian research and consultancy projects, he works in the field of energy economics and policy, with a focus on e-mobility and flexibility in electricity markets. He is also pursuing a PhD at BOKU University on the topic of local energy and flexibility markets for small-sized active prosumers.
Guntram serves as an expert on energy innovations and electricity market design for the Innovate Ukraine Accelerator Programme, a UK-funded programme dedicated to accelerating Ukraine’s energy recovery ([https://innovateukraine.io/).](https://innovateukraine.io/).)

## Hanna Ess | CCO, Estonian Cleantech Association

Hanna is CCO at Cleantech Estonia, a business association uniting and representing Estonia’s clean industry and technology companies. Its members are building solutions for the industries of the future, from energy technologies that strengthen energy security to smarter industrial solutions that advance resource efficiency. Alongside this, Hanna contributes to Cleantech for Baltics, a pan-Baltic initiative strengthening cleantech collaboration across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. As part of the wider Cleantech for Europe umbrella, the initiative bridges cleantech innovators and policymakers, turning sector knowledge into actionable insights that help Europe’s cleantech sector grow.

## Jennifer Brenner | inloop, Supply Chain Strategy Consultant

Jennifer Brenner is a multi-disciplinary entrepreneur and ecosystem builder specializing in the intersection of strategy, operations, and deep tech innovation. She is the founder of a dedicated ESG platform designed to help SMEs navigate sustainability frameworks. Jennifer previously served as the head of Lead Today Shape Tomorrow, Europe's flagship innovation conference for female founders. Her deep expertise in navigating complex, multi-stakeholder environments is also rooted in her years managing large-scale public programs for the City of Vienna, directing events with up to one million visitors. With an international professional footprint spanning EY and strategic management in Mexico, France, Spain, Singapore, and Portugal, Jennifer excels at driving actionable impact under pressure and bridging communication gaps between diverse industries.

## Herbert Hetzel | Founder and Managing Partner, Beyond Carbon Energy

Herbert Hetzel is a visionary entrepreneur dedicated to proving that completely CO₂-free heating and cooling for urban areas is possible today. After more than three decades of leadership within the traditional real estate sector, he pivoted his focus over ten years ago to drive the thermal energy transition. As the founder of Beyond Carbon Energy, Herbert leads the strategic acquisition and execution of advanced infrastructure projects that utilize decentralized renewable energy networks to decarbonize commercial and residential real estate across Austria.

## Christian Nussmueller | Senior Expert for Integrated Urban Development, City of Graz

Christian Nussmueller has worked at the Graz Executive Office for Urban Planning, Development and Construction for 21 years and is an expert in strategic funding programmes and projects in the field of sustainable, integrated urban development (EU and national).
He is also responsible within the City of Graz for knowledge transfer in the field of cross-sectoral urban development and is continuously building networks in this area with other Austrian and European authorities and organisations.
He advocates at all levels of government for the needs of the urban level and is a firm believer in the Whole-of-Government approach and the Quintuple Helix model.

*Picture credit: Claudio Wedenig*

## Dr. Andreas Köttl | Managing Partner & CEO, nxt real estate

Dr. Andreas Köttl is a prominent leader in the Austrian real estate sector with over 30 years of industry experience, including a 13-year tenure as CEO of Value One Holding. He currently channels his expertise into sustainable real estate development as the CEO and Managing Partner of nxt real estate. Deeply committed to structural green transformation, Dr. Köttl also serves as the President of the Association of Austrian Project Developers (VÖPE) and President of the Austrian Sustainable Real Estate Association (ÖGNI), where he actively shapes the frameworks for carbon-neutral, future-proof construction.

## DI (FH) Carina Seidnitzer-Gallien, MA | Senior Researcher & Project Manager, AEE INTEC

Carina Seidnitzer-Gallien is an expert in technology development at AEE INTEC (Institute for Sustainable Technologies), focusing on the holistic optimization of energy and resource flows. Her research bridges the gap between technical innovation, climate neutrality, and social acceptance, with a special emphasis on integrating renewables into industrial processes, district heating networks, and thermal infrastructure. Recently, she was appointed as the co-project manager for the newly launched Alliance for Green Heating and Cooling, a major national initiative accelerating Austria's phase-out of fossil fuels.

## DI Gerald Zotter | Head of Thermal Energy Storages, AEE INTEC

Gerald Zotter is a leading research engineer and the Head of the Thermal Energy Storages division at AEE INTEC (Institute for Sustainable Technologies). With thermal storage standing as a critical bottleneck for systemic decarbonization, Gerald’s work focuses on developing high-flexibility, cost-effective solutions to balance volatile renewable energy generation with shifting thermal demands. He leads cutting-edge application-oriented research spanning large-scale sensible storage systems (up to 120°C) for district networks, sorption storage for long-term building applications, and compact thermochemical storage systems (reaching up to 800°C) designed to deeply reduce carbon emissions in energy-intensive industrial sectors.

## DI Helmut Strasser | Head of Strategy & Innovation, SIR – Salzburger Institut für Raumordnung und Wohnen

DI Helmut Strasser is a distinguished expert in spatial energy planning and sustainable urban renewal, leading the Strategy & Innovation department at the Salzburg Institute for Spatial Planning and Housing (SIR). For over two decades, Helmut has been at the forefront of integrating climate neutrality goals into regional development, housing policies, and municipal planning frameworks. His work focuses heavily on localized energy transitions, steering major initiatives for thermal building renovations, smart city strategies, and the structural rollout of regional energy communities. By bridging the gap between public policy, spatial constraints, and renewable energy infrastructure, Helmut plays a pivotal role in transforming abstract climate targets into actionable, community-scale realities.

## Iaroslav Kryl | CEO of Hydrogen Ukraine

Iaroslav Kryl is a Ukrainian energy expert, entrepreneur, and CEO of Hydrogen Ukraine, specializing in green hydrogen, renewable energy, and cross-border hydrogen infrastructure projects. He is actively involved in the development of hydrogen valleys, underground hydrogen storage, and large-scale electrolysis projects connecting Ukraine with the European energy market. Iaroslav also contributes to international initiatives under Innovate UK and Horizon Europe focused on energy transition, resilience, and decarbonization.

## Melchior Karigl | Principal Advisor Structured Finance and Joint Initiatives North, Central & South East Europe, European Investment Bank.

Melchior Karigl (born 1971) joined the European Investment Bank (EIB) in 2002 and has held positions inside and outside Europe. Since October 2012 he has been responsible for Structured Finance Transactions and Joint Initiatives in North, Central & South-East Europe. Prior to that he has been part of a new initiative by EIB to reinforce its activity in sectors of high policy priority for the EU – the New Products and Special Activities Initiative - in which the EIB has sought to develop innovative approaches. In this capacity he has had a pan-European responsibility for structured lending transactions in the emerging offshore wind sector. From 2002 to 2007 he worked on a number of EIB project finance transactions in various sectors in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific region. Prior to EIB he worked for the International Finance Corporation (IFC) based in Washington DC in the energy sector. He has degrees in Business Administration from the Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien and International Relations from the Johns Hopkins University (SAIS).

## Tanja Cvjetković, Deputy Director for Energy Efficient Solutions, ENEL PS

She possesses strong expertise in energy efficiency field, sustainable financing and environment protection. With her professional development, she has also gained 8 years of experience in the area of Renewable energy systems and sources. In the ENEL PS Company she is on the position of Deputy Director for Energy Efficient Solutions and is responsible for energy-efficient solutions in all phases of development, design, construction, commissioning and maintenance of data centers as well as data centre energy supply strategies.

Her strong points of expertise include:
• More than 15 years of professional experience in energy-economic regional and local development,
• 15 years of experience in evaluations, development and analysis/assessments of energy projects,
• 15 years of professional experience in energy management of the companies and local self-government units
• 10 years of working experience with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) such as EBRD, CEB; KfW, SECO, SIDA; World Bank, …
• Experienced in managing projects involving a wide range of stakeholders including Government and municipal representatives, national level experts and leading companies in EE&RES area, etc.
• Project Management
• Energy Management, Energy Measurements and Energy Consumption Monitoring
• Energy Audits

## Slobodan Aleksić | Sales Leader-IT solutions for Rittal Ltd, Belgrade & Co-founder of Data Centre Assosiaction Serbia

Slobodan Aleksić, 44YO, graduated at Electrical Engineering faculty, Nis University, 18 years ago.

Her strong points of expertise include:
• More than 15 years of professional experience in telecommunications and IT industry in few European Countries,
• 10 years of experience in business development and analysis/assessments of telecom/IT/Data Center projects,
• Experienced in managing projects involving a wide range of stakeholders including telecommunications/mobile telecom, public traffic, Government etc.
• Project Management
• Design project, implementation project, consulting projects

## Oksana Antipa | Head of the Polish Office at DX Energy

Oksana Antipa is the Head of the Polish Office at DX Energy and an international logistics and energy professional involved in humanitarian and energy resilience initiatives for Ukraine. Her work focuses on supporting Ukrainian communities and critical infrastructure during wartime through mobile energy solutions, battery systems, and international cooperation projects. She coordinates energy support initiatives, battery installations, and logistics operations connected to humanitarian aid and infrastructure resilience. Oksana also cooperates with Rotary Club humanitarian initiatives that support Ukrainian hospitals, social institutions, and vulnerable communities with energy-related assistance. Through the Energy-On-The-Go project under the InnovateUkraine programme, she contributes to the development of mobile energy systems and innovative energy-sharing technologies designed for emergency and critical-use scenarios in Ukraine.

## Oleksii Martyniuk | Founder & Director of PowerTech Energy Ltd

Oleksii Martyniuk is the Founder and Director of PowerTech Energy Ltd, a UK-based company focused on energy innovation, clean technologies and sustainable infrastructure solutions. He represents the Sustainable ThermoSolutions project, which is developing advanced thermal energy storage and low-carbon heat solutions to support Ukraine’s energy resilience and long-term green recovery.
Oleksii has over 20 years of experience in investment management, corporate restructuring, operational leadership and strategic project delivery across Ukraine and Europe. His current work focuses on building UK–Ukraine partnerships between technology developers, research institutions, industrial partners and investors to accelerate the commercial deployment of scalable cleantech solutions.

Detail paragraph...

## Mag. Lukas Stuehlinger | Founder & Managing Partner, FINGREEN

Lukas Stuehlinger is a prominent green finance expert with over 20 years of international experience in underwriting, financing, and structuring large-scale sustainable infrastructure and clean technologies. As the founder and Managing Partner of FINGREEN, a boutique consultancy specializing in green tech investment, he acts as a strategic bridge builder helping companies navigate complex energy markets, corporate PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements), and the expanding regulatory landscape for energy storage. Lukas’s extensive leadership track record in the European energy sector includes serving as a long-time Executive Board Member (CFO) of oekostrom AG, Head of Energy and Environment at Kommunalkredit Austria AG, and leading commercial project development at the Berliner Energieagentur. He also shares his commercial expertise as an advisory board member for innovative green-tech ventures like ecop Technologies. Lukas holds a degree in Business Administration from the Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien.

## Guy Templeton | CEO, Krixos & Critical Minerals Specialist

Guy Templeton is an expert in global resource markets, enterprise intelligence, and the geopolitics of the energy transition, bringing over 30 years of experience across global media, intelligence, and resource sectors. As the CEO of Krixos, an enterprise intelligence and digital media company operating across Vienna, London, and Dubai, he specializes in the highly strategic domains of critical minerals and energy security. Under his leadership, Krixos platforms—which are supported by EIT RawMaterials and private institutional investors—map the complex supply chains and geopolitical dynamics essential for securing the raw materials required for clean energy technologies. A recognized cross-border bridge builder, Guy maintains deep stakeholder relationships across international critical mineral networks, Europe, and the Middle East, and serves as an independent board director for companies advancing exploration pipelines for critical transition metals

## Tim Kaiser | Deputy Head of Economic and Social Affairs & Economic Policy Advisor, European Commission

Tim Kaiser is a senior economic policy expert at the European Commission, where he serves as the Deputy Head of Economic and Social Affairs and Advisor for Economic Policy Coordination. Based in Vienna at the Representation of the European Commission in Austria, Tim plays a crucial role in managing the European Semester framework—the EU's primary mechanism for analyzing, coordinating, and monitoring national structural reforms and fiscal policies. His work sits at the critical intersection of macroeconomic stability, social cohesion, and the strategic deployment of EU recovery and resilience funding. At a time when massive financial mobilization is required to meet European Green Deal targets, Tim provides vital insights into how EU policy frameworks, structural investments, and cross-border economic coordination can be leveraged to accelerate a competitive and just energy transition across Central and Eastern Europe.

## Philip Hahn, Dipl.-Ing | Head of Flexibility as a Service, CyberGrid

Dr. Philip Hahn is a leading authority on grid stability, virtual power plants (VPPs), and energy market architecture. He brings a uniquely practical perspective to the energy transition, having spent nearly a decade at EVN managing control energy and grid operations. Today, as the Head of Flexibility at CyberGrid, Philip is bridging the gap between hardware and markets by designing scalable "Flexibility as a Service" solutions. His work enables decentralized assets—ranging from pooled battery storage fleets (BESS) to industrial demand response—to seamlessly integrate into Europe's high-value balancing markets. Philip's technical expertise is deeply intertwined with cross-border grid integration, actively shaping the implementation of major European initiatives like PICASSO and MARI to build a unified, highly resilient, and flexible power system across the CEE region.

## Beecham Koonjah | CEO of Unitech Synergies

Beecham Koonjah is a legal, compliance and business professional with over 15 years of experience across the energy and regulatory sectors. Prior to founding Unitech Synergies Limited — a UK deep-tech company developing refrigerant-free, compressor-free cooling systems — he served as Associate Director at a leading UK energy supplier, leading operational, compliance and commercial strategy across UK and international teams. At Unitech, he oversees strategy, partnerships and investor relations, driving the commercialisation of TOVENVOR TABERS, a patented cooling technology backed by Innovate UK that generates electricity from waste heat, eliminating harmful HFC gases entirely. The company is currently running a live data centre pilot in Ukraine through the Innovate Ukraine programme, targeting a $710B global market mandated to reach Net Zero by 2050.

## Bohdan Senchuk | Senior Advisor in Ukraine, Swedfund International

Bohdan Senchuk is an expert in international business development and clean technology transfer with extensive experience bridging European and Ukrainian markets. Serving as the President of the Swedish Business Association in Ukraine and founder of 52A Consulting, Bohdan previously led local operations for Business Sweden (the Swedish Trade & Investment Council). He has spearhead initiatives like the Sweden-Ukraine Cleantech Initiative, focusing on renewable energy, grid modernization, and sustainable district heating. Within the Innovate Ukraine Accelerator framework, Bohdan drives strategic partnerships and funding mechanisms to fast-track innovative energy technologies vital to Ukraine's sustainable reconstruction.

## Shahid Mughal | OMM Project | CEO, Innvotek

Shahid Mughal is the CEO of Innvotek, a leading automation and robotics technology firm specializing in turnkey solutions for inspection, repair, and maintenance in extreme marine environments. With over 15 years of leadership in commercializing advanced R&D projects, Shahid has successfully collaborated with institutions like the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult and GE Renewable Energy to pioneer robotic solutions like Amphibian—an amphibious magnetic crawler designed for the offshore wind and shipping sectors. For the OMM Project, Shahid leads the integration of advanced sensors and predictive robotics to safely automate critical infrastructure care, significantly lowering risk to human divers and reducing asset downtime.

## Danylo Hazulo | Re-Power Ukraine Project | FutureCycle

Danylo Hazulo is a clean energy practitioner and project leader representing FutureCycle within the Re-Power Ukraine initiative. Specializing in decentralized energy solutions, circular economy models, and regional resilience, Danylo focuses on implementing modular waste-to-energy pathways and advanced bio-based solutions for communities undergoing energy reconstruction. His work aims to empower municipal actors by deploying scalable, locally sourced energy installations that directly contribute to Ukraine’s green energy independence and critical resource recovery.

## Dr. Christian Freilach | Project Pelletec | Schaider Global AG

Dr. Christian Freilach is a senior technology strategist, researcher, and corporate supervisor specializing in bio-based solid fuels and biomass processing engineering. He serves on the supervisory board of Schaider Global AG, where he has been instrumental in the oversight of groundbreaking biomass engineering projects—including the development and commercialization of the Schaider Pelletec mobile agricultural pelleting systems. Dr. Freilach's expertise spans raw material optimization, energy efficiency in mechanical processing, and intellectual property strategy. In Project Pelletec, his research and leadership help scale mobile, high-capacity field pelletization technologies that convert seasonal agricultural residues into high-value, standardized energy products.

## Vjekoslav Bonic | Co-Founder & Tech Partner, Ikenga.eu & Managing Director, xIntegra.ai

Vjekoslav Bonic is a senior digital innovation executive and leading expert in applied artificial intelligence, data science, and advanced analytics across Central and Eastern Europe. He serves as a tech partner and co-founder within the Ikenga.eu ecosystem—which supports DeepTech, energy storage, and industrial innovation—while concurrently directing strategic digital transformation as the Managing Director of xIntegra.ai. With a deep background in the banking and finance sectors, Vjekoslav previously spent nearly a decade at Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), where he founded and expanded the highly successful RBI Group AI Lab. Spanning teams across Vienna and Bratislava, he pioneered regional deployments of conversational AI and quantum computation architectures. At the forum, Vjekoslav bridges the gap between digital disruption and infrastructure, highlighting how cutting-edge analytical tools, automation, and AI-driven systems optimize risk, investments, and grid scalability across the CEE region.

## Mag. Ulrike Rabmer-Koller | Owner & CEO, Rabmer Group & Vice-President, SMEunited

Ulrike Rabmer-Koller is a prominent European business leader and pioneer in green technology who operates at the vital intersection of economy and ecology. As the owner and CEO of the internationally operating Rabmer Group, she leads innovative engineering deployments in civil construction and environmental technology—specializing in green building infrastructure, renewable energy generation from wastewater, and advanced water efficiency systems. A fierce advocate for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on the global stage, Ulrike served as the President of SMEunited from 2016 to 2019, representing 24 million companies across Europe, and currently serves as its Policy Vice-President and Chair of the Sustainable Development Committee. Her deep governance experience includes a five-year tenure as Vice-President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ). Appointed as a European Climate Pact Ambassador, Ulrike frequently advises the European Commission on high-level industrial strategies, including the G7 and G20 task forces, focusing on scaling sustainable innovations and removing regulatory barriers for eco-driven market growth. She holds an MBA from the Johannes Kepler University Linz.

## Stephan Höflmaier | Head of Business Development (Heat, New Energies & Data Centers), Bilfinger Industrial Services

Stephan Höflmaier is a seasoned industrial infrastructure expert leading business development for heat, new energies, and data centers at Bilfinger Industrial Services. With the rapid expansion of data centers driving an unprecedented demand for power and cooling, Stephan’s work centers on embedding sustainability into large-scale, 10+ MW digital infrastructure. He specializes in designing integrated solutions along the entire value chain—particularly focusing on the utilization of data center waste heat for regional district heating networks, the seamless integration of renewable energies, and the deployment of "one-stop-service" collaborative utility models. At the forum, Stephan brings crucial insights into the technical and commercial mechanics required to build resilient, energy-efficient, and "net-serving" digital infrastructure across the CEE landscape.

## DI (FH) Gerhard Hofer | Managing Director & Partner, e7 energy innovation & engineering

Gerhard Hofer is a highly respected expert in sustainable real estate and urban energy concepts, serving as Managing Director, Partner, and Senior Consultant at e7 energy innovation & engineering. He began his career as a research assistant at the Austrian Energy Agency before joining e7 shortly after its founding, where he spent over a decade leading the firm's cutting-edge research division. Gerhard specializes in the development of integral, climate-neutral energy concepts for buildings and urban quarters, with a pioneering focus on Positive Energy Districts (PEDs), lifecycle cost analyses, and the integration of decentralized renewable energy systems. A key figure in the operationalization of spatial energy planning, he has spearheaded major European initiatives—such as the digital HEATatlas framework—transforming complex resource and waste heat data into actionable infrastructure strategies for cities and public administrations across Austria. He holds degrees in Construction Planning and Management from FH Joanneum Graz and the Technische Universität Wien.

## Ronald Bauer | CEO, Zero Carbon Technologies & Founder, Theseus Capital

Ronald Bauer is a veteran venture capitalist, investor, and corporate strategist with over two decades of experience funding, structuring, and scaling transformative businesses globally. As the founder of Theseus Capital, his family office investment vehicle, Ronald focuses heavily on the deployment of private capital into high-impact sectors including technology, life sciences, and natural resources. Currently serving as the CEO of Zero Carbon Technologies, he bridges the gap between deep-tech engineering and early-stage capital markets to commercialize scalable solutions essential for the global transition to net-zero. Over his distinguished career, Ronald has partnered with leading academic institutions and world-class innovators to guide early-stage clean-tech and industrial startups from initial seed funding through to successful public market listings (IPOs) and cross-border mergers, offering the forum vital insights into how private finance can effectively underwrite and accelerate emerging clean energy infrastructure

## Ionela Cuciureanu | Senior Advocacy Lead, AmCham Romania & Former Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Minister of Energy

Ionela Cuciureanu is a highly accomplished energy policy advisor, legal scholar, and international relations specialist operating at the intersection of European energy governance and corporate advocacy. As the Senior Advocacy Lead at the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Romania, she spearheads strategic policy development and public-private dialogue across critical portfolios, including the Energy, Digital Economy, and EU Affairs committees. Prior to joining AmCham, Ionela served as the International Relations and Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Romanian Minister of Energy, where she shaped national diplomatic positioning and regulatory strategies surrounding regional grid modernization, cross-border infrastructure security, and the integration of large-scale storage frameworks. Her multi-disciplinary background includes serving as a policy advisor for the Federation of Energy Utility Companies (ACUE) and practicing intellectual property and data privacy law. She is an Associate Assistant Professor at the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies (ASE) and holds degrees in European and International Law from the University of Bucharest and the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne.

## Anne Turfin | EU Project Manager & Building Engineer, Climate Alliance

Anne Turfin is a building engineer and experienced European project manager at Climate Alliance, the largest network of cities and municipalities dedicated to local climate action. Operating at the intersection of technical building performance, regulatory policy, and municipal engagement, Anne leads major transnational initiatives focused on energy efficiency and sustainable urban transformation. Her recent research and project management—notably within the European Horizon crossCERT framework—delves into the implementation of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and the evolving mandates of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Anne specializes in analyzing public discourse, countering media polarization surrounding building energy codes, and translating technical energy data into impactful, storytelling-driven communication strategies that foster community trust and accelerate deep renovation rates across European neighborhoods.

## Francesca Conselvan | Data Scientist & Researcher, e-think energy research & Board Member, Vienna Data Science Group

Francesca Conselvan is a researcher and data scientist at e-think energy research in Vienna, where she specialises in building energy policy analysis, data modelling, and quantitative assessment of renovation pathways. Her work combines machine learning techniques with building stock simulation to support evidence-based policymaking.

## Christian Pillwein | Industry Manager Building & Infrastructure Automation, Beckhoff Automation

Christian Pillwein is a senior automation strategist and leading authority on smart building systems, industrial manufacturing integration, and energy infrastructure optimization. As the Industry Manager for Building Automation at Beckhoff Automation, he specializes in deploying open, PC-based control architectures that bridge the gap between traditional mechanical hardware and advanced digital management. Christian is a pioneer in implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows across all lifecycle phases—from conceptual design to active facility operation—and is heavily focused on creating "net-serving," highly flexible industrial facilities. His recent work highlights the power of combining manufacturing automation with demand-based building controls, allowing complex systems like commercial HVAC networks to dynamically react to production loads and real-time grid signals.

## Sabine Kubicek | Energy Systems Researcher & Project Engineer, Wiener Netze

Sabine Kubicek is an engineering researcher and strategic project developer at Wiener Netze GmbH, Austria’s largest combined electricity, gas, and district heating network operator. Operating at the cutting edge of urban multi-energy carrier networks, Sabine specializes in the integration of decentralized green technologies, advanced sector coupling, and grid-tied hydrogen solutions. Her recent research includes modeling and developing parameter studies for photovoltaic-optimized hydrogen supply systems, analyzing how green gases can be safely scaled to meet zero-emission targets while preserving macro-grid stability. At the forum, Sabine brings invaluable utility-scale operational insights, outlining how regional distribution system operators (DSOs) must evolve to manage decentralized storage, optimize local grid flexibility, and successfully transition urban infrastructure toward climate neutrality.

## Maja Tepeh | Chief of Staff, Prewave

Maja Tepeh is a strategic operator and brand growth specialist serving as Chief of Staff at Prewave, a Vienna-based global leader in AI-driven supply chain intelligence. Prewave leverages machine learning to map, monitor, and analyze global supply chain networks in real time, transforming vast multi-language data streams into actionable risk alerts. Maja plays a central role in driving the platform’s operational scaling, corporate strategy, and market positioning during a period of rapid international growth—following a milestone €63 million Series B funding round. Her work directly intersects with the evolving regulatory landscape of the energy transition, where sweeping legislative frameworks like the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) mandate absolute transparency across industrial operations. At the forum, Maja brings crucial insights into how companies can utilize "supply chain superintelligence" to mitigate geopolitical disruptions, enforce environmental and human rights compliance, and secure the highly complex, cross-border value chains essential for clean energy infrastructure.

Marcus Hummel is Lead Researcher & Managing Director at e-think. He focuses on efficient and renewable energy systems, energy economics and policies for space heating, cooling, and district systems, for sound political measures of transition to low-carbon energy systems. Marcus acquires, develops and coordinates national and international research projects since 2009. He holds a master's in process engineering (Energy and Environmental Engineering) and a PhD in energy economics (costs and potentials of heat savings in buildings).

## Raphael Sachs | Pillar Officer, Danube Strategy Point EU for the Danube Region

Raphael Sachs is Pillar Officer at the Danube Strategy Point, the technical secretariat for the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), located in Vienna. He is responsible for the technical and strategic support of EUSDR Pillar 1 (“Connecting the Region”) - where he closely works with EUSDR Priority Area 2 („Sustainable Energy“) - and EUSDR Pillar 4 (“Strengthening the Region”). Additionally, he supports the Embedding Process within the EUSDR, aiming to link the Strategy with relevant EU funding programmes. Raphael studied Geography in Vienna and Regional Development in Nuremberg. Within the framework of the EUSDR, he collaborates with stakeholders from more than 230 institutions across the Danube Region. He has professional experience in the field of International Cooperation, EU Cohesion Policy, and Regional Development.

## Olena Rybnytska | SHIELD-R290 (Heat Pumps) | Innovate Ukraine Programme

Olena Rybnytska is a communications manager and journalist with over 15 years of experience in media, strategic communications, and project management. The topic of energy efficiency and innovative technologies has been part of her professional journey since the very beginning of her career: as a student at Vinnytsia National Technical University and a journalist at regional television, she actively promoted energy-saving solutions and contributed to their implementation at the local level.

Following Russia's full-scale invasion and the systematic destruction of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Olena returned to the energy sector in a new capacity — combining her communications expertise with hands-on involvement in innovative projects. She is currently part of the team implementing the SHIELD-R290 project under the Innovate Ukraine programme, supported by the UK Government — an initiative focused on developing and piloting locally manufactured heat pump systems based on the environmentally friendly R290 refrigerant, aimed at restoring energy resilience in Ukrainian communities.

## Patrick Fodor | Co-Founder & CTO, marbl

Patrick Fodor is a physicist, software engineer, and infrastructure architect specializing in low-latency data pipelines, algorithmic execution, and real-time energy trading systems. He is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of marbl (Marbl FlexCo), a Vienna-based energy-tech startup building the "intelligence layer" for short-term power markets. Driven by an API-first approach, Patrick designs modular, high-speed software architectures that allow renewable generation assets, decentralized battery storage fleets (BESS), and aggregators to seamlessly ingest transparent, automated trading signals. By leveraging advanced data processing and cloud infrastructure, his work eliminates vendor lock-in for asset operators, enabling distributed energy resources to optimize bidding strategies and react dynamically to market volatility across European power grids. He holds a Master of Science in Physics from the University of Vienna

## Ing. Michael Hübner | Senior Policy Officer for Energy Transition Innovation, BMK & Coordinator, Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETPartnership)

Michael Hübner is a leading European energy research strategist and senior policymaker operating at the forefront of mission-oriented innovation. Serving within the Department of Energy and Environmental Technologies at the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK), Michael shapes national strategies for intelligent grids, digitalized energy solutions, and large-scale renewable integration. On the European stage, he acts as the overarching coordinator for the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETPartnership)—a massive multilateral research and innovation initiative uniting over 30 countries and 50 funding partners to accelerate the European Green Deal. With an engineering background from TU Wien focused on the nexus of technology, environment, and society, Michael has spent over two decades spearheading vital international collaborations, including the Joint Programming Platform ERA-Net Smart Energy Systems and the International Smart Grids Action Network (ISGAN), mapping out the regulatory and funding pathways required for a climate-neutral, highly integrated European energy architecture