ESFORIN CHANGE MAKERS Archiv
41 Episoden
30 Minuten
#41 | Rethink Trading
Energy trading is no longer about how much energy you trade, but about how smartly you orchestrate flexibility. In this episode of ESFORIN Change Makers, we talk to Jean-Baptiste Cornefert, Managing Director Trading at enercity, about the rise of a new trading and he explains why the old trading playbook is reaching its limits. Here's what you'll learn:
Why value in the energy market no longer derives primarily from volume, but from #flexibility
How the role of the trader is shifting from price optimiser to flexibility orchestrator
Why AI is core to trading, yet humans stay in the loop: "traders who use AI will replace those who don't"
Where untapped flexibility is hiding beyond batteries: district heating, CHP plants, heat pumps, industrial load and EV fleets
Why decarbonization and profitability are not a contradiction
His picture of the future: a network of interconnected energy islands in which traders manage flexible portfolios of batteries, heat, virtual power plants and electric vehicles. We also talk about our joint work with enercity on EV fleets as a flexibility source.
"ESFORIN Change Makers" is the podcast about #EnergyFuture, the digital energy transition and the people shaping it.
Energy trading is no longer about how much energy you trade, but about how smartly you orchestrate flexibility. In this episode of ESFORIN Change Makers, we talk to Jean-Baptiste Cornefert, Managing Director Trading at enercity, about the rise of a new trading and he explains why the old trading playbook is reaching its limits. Here's what you'll learn:
Why value in the energy market no longer derives primarily from volume, but from #flexibility
How the role of the trader is shifting from price optimiser to flexibility orchestrator
Why AI is core to trading, yet humans stay in the loop: "traders who use AI will replace those who don't"
Where untapped flexibility is hiding beyond batteries: district heating, CHP plants, heat pumps, industrial load and EV fleets
Why decarbonization and profitability are not a contradiction
His picture of the future: a network of interconnected energy islands in which traders manage flexible portfolios of batteries, heat, virtual power plants and electric vehicles. We also talk about our joint work with enercity on EV fleets as a flexibility source.
"ESFORIN Change Makers" is the podcast about #EnergyFuture, the digital energy transition and the people shaping it.
37 Minuten
In this episode of ESFORIN Change Makers, the CEO & Co-Founder of Sunfire, Nils Aldag, explains why green #hydrogen is not a nice-to-have, but a fundamental pillar of a climate-neutral, energy-independent and globally competitive Europe.
From startup beginnings in Dresden to building football field-sized electrolyser projects, Nils shares what it takes to scale industrial innovation and why hydrogen will play a critical role in decarbonizing sectors that cannot be directly electrified. Here’s what you'll learn:
Why renewable electricity alone won't be enough to achieve climate neutrality
Which industries need hydrogen because they cannot be directly electrified
How Sunfire scaled from a startup to a European cleantech leader with 700+ employees
Why Europe still has the opportunity to lead the global hydrogen economy
What must happen to make green hydrogen commercially competitive at scale
"ESFORIN Change Makers" is the podcast about #EnergyFuture, the digital energy transition and the people shaping it.
From startup beginnings in Dresden to building football field-sized electrolyser projects, Nils shares what it takes to scale industrial innovation and why hydrogen will play a critical role in decarbonizing sectors that cannot be directly electrified. Here’s what you'll learn:
Why renewable electricity alone won't be enough to achieve climate neutrality
Which industries need hydrogen because they cannot be directly electrified
How Sunfire scaled from a startup to a European cleantech leader with 700+ employees
Why Europe still has the opportunity to lead the global hydrogen economy
What must happen to make green hydrogen commercially competitive at scale
"ESFORIN Change Makers" is the podcast about #EnergyFuture, the digital energy transition and the people shaping it.
29 Minuten
What if one of the biggest flexibility resources for the energy transition is already there, hidden in plain sight?
In this episode of ESFORIN Change Makers, host Theodora talks to Dr. Julia Singer, founder of Utilize, about why many companies are sitting on untapped flexibility potential and how existing grid connections, battery storage and intelligent optimization can turn idle infrastructure into valuable market assets. Here’s what you'll learn:
Why flexibility is the next critical phase of the energy transition
How businesses can monetize existing grid connections without changing their core operations
Why commercial and industrial sites hold massive "hidden flexibility" potential
Why simplifying complexity is the key to bringing thousands of new market participants into flexibility markets
The future energy system won't just be built by adding more generation. It will be built by making smarter use of the infrastructure we already have.
In this episode of ESFORIN Change Makers, host Theodora talks to Dr. Julia Singer, founder of Utilize, about why many companies are sitting on untapped flexibility potential and how existing grid connections, battery storage and intelligent optimization can turn idle infrastructure into valuable market assets. Here’s what you'll learn:
Why flexibility is the next critical phase of the energy transition
How businesses can monetize existing grid connections without changing their core operations
Why commercial and industrial sites hold massive "hidden flexibility" potential
Why simplifying complexity is the key to bringing thousands of new market participants into flexibility markets
The future energy system won't just be built by adding more generation. It will be built by making smarter use of the infrastructure we already have.
39 Minuten
What happens when the power market moves faster than ever and flexibility becomes the difference between cost and opportunity?
In this special episode of ESFORIN Change Makers, we turn the spotlight on our own founders @hristian Hövelhaus and Christoph Gardlo. Together, they share how ESFORIN was built around a bold vision more than a decade ago: turning flexibility into one of the most valuable assets of the energy transition.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
Why flexibility is becoming essential for every energy market participant
How batteries, industrial assets, renewables and demand response can turn volatility into value
Why negative prices are not a market failure, BUT a market opportunity
How digitalisation, automation and real-time optimisation are reshaping the energy landscape
What makes ESFORIN’s cross-market, cross-commodity approach unique after 12 years of proven optimisation
One key takeaway: Flexibility is no longer optional. The companies that act now will be the ones creating value in tomorrow’s energy markets.
Tune in and discover why we call flexibility the gold of the energy transition: Newsroom - ESFORIN
In this special episode of ESFORIN Change Makers, we turn the spotlight on our own founders @hristian Hövelhaus and Christoph Gardlo. Together, they share how ESFORIN was built around a bold vision more than a decade ago: turning flexibility into one of the most valuable assets of the energy transition.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
Why flexibility is becoming essential for every energy market participant
How batteries, industrial assets, renewables and demand response can turn volatility into value
Why negative prices are not a market failure, BUT a market opportunity
How digitalisation, automation and real-time optimisation are reshaping the energy landscape
What makes ESFORIN’s cross-market, cross-commodity approach unique after 12 years of proven optimisation
One key takeaway: Flexibility is no longer optional. The companies that act now will be the ones creating value in tomorrow’s energy markets.
Tune in and discover why we call flexibility the gold of the energy transition: Newsroom - ESFORIN
32 Minuten
From the dark side of the force to the light side of the energy transition”, in this episode, @Jan‑Christopher Klotz (CCO Germany at Zelestra) shares his journey from conventional energy into the world of renewables and what he has learned along the way.
The energy transition is entering its next phase. Scaling renewables alone is no longer enough. As solar capacity grows, the system is increasingly facing oversupply, visible in negative market prices and growing grid stress.
Drawing on practical project insights, from large‑scale PV + battery systems in Germany to global storage projects, Jan explains why the future lies in combining technologies: generation needs storage and assets need to become systems.
But the most insightful takeaway goes beyond technology. The energy transition is not just an engineering challenge, it’s a human one. Bringing together traders, farmers, developers, regulators and investors means aligning different perspectives, languages and incentives into one functioning system.
Tune in to learn why BESS is becoming the backbone of the next energy era and why real change happens when technology, systems and people move in sync.
ESFORIN Change Makers: The podcast on the future of energy, the digital energy transition and change making.
The energy transition is entering its next phase. Scaling renewables alone is no longer enough. As solar capacity grows, the system is increasingly facing oversupply, visible in negative market prices and growing grid stress.
Drawing on practical project insights, from large‑scale PV + battery systems in Germany to global storage projects, Jan explains why the future lies in combining technologies: generation needs storage and assets need to become systems.
But the most insightful takeaway goes beyond technology. The energy transition is not just an engineering challenge, it’s a human one. Bringing together traders, farmers, developers, regulators and investors means aligning different perspectives, languages and incentives into one functioning system.
Tune in to learn why BESS is becoming the backbone of the next energy era and why real change happens when technology, systems and people move in sync.
ESFORIN Change Makers: The podcast on the future of energy, the digital energy transition and change making.
31 Minuten
Kann Industrie Klimaschutz leisten, ohne Wachstum, Wohlstand oder Fortschritt aufzugeben?
In dieser Folge des ESFORIN Change Makers Podcasts spricht Guido Kerkhoff, Vorstandsvorsitzender von Klöckner & Co. SE, über die Transformation der Stahlindustrie, die Rolle von grünem Stahl und warum echte Dekarbonisierung nicht bei Verzicht beginnt, sondern bei Transparenz, Technologie und einem freien Geist.
Jetzt reinhören und mehr erfahren über grünen Stahl als Teil der Lösung, warum der Product Carbon Footprint in der Herstellung entscheidend ist und weshalb das Ruhrgebiet mehr Zukunft trägt, als viele denken.
In dieser Folge des ESFORIN Change Makers Podcasts spricht Guido Kerkhoff, Vorstandsvorsitzender von Klöckner & Co. SE, über die Transformation der Stahlindustrie, die Rolle von grünem Stahl und warum echte Dekarbonisierung nicht bei Verzicht beginnt, sondern bei Transparenz, Technologie und einem freien Geist.
Jetzt reinhören und mehr erfahren über grünen Stahl als Teil der Lösung, warum der Product Carbon Footprint in der Herstellung entscheidend ist und weshalb das Ruhrgebiet mehr Zukunft trägt, als viele denken.
33 Minuten
What happens when you connect millions of tiny flexibilities at the edge of the grid and make them work as reliably as a power plant? In the new episode of ESFORIN Change Makers, we interview Sandra Trittin, Co‑Founder & Chief Growth Officer of beebop.ai – also known as the “Queen of Flexibility” – about one of the underestimated drivers of the energy transition.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
Why small flexibilities matter more than ever in an electrified world
How heat pumps, home batteries & EV charging can be aggregated and optimised at scale
Why human‑centred energy is key to building trust and adoption
The biggest success factors when scaling decentralized flexibility programs globally
Here’s what you’ll learn:
Why small flexibilities matter more than ever in an electrified world
How heat pumps, home batteries & EV charging can be aggregated and optimised at scale
Why human‑centred energy is key to building trust and adoption
The biggest success factors when scaling decentralized flexibility programs globally
35 Minuten
Deutschland spricht über Wasserstoff, aber übersieht den Energieträger, der heute schon skalieren kann: Biomethan. In der neuen Podcast-Folge spreche ich mit Jörg Selbach‑Röntgen, CEO von biogeen, darüber und viele weitere Change Maker für die Industrie und Energiewirtschaft:
Warum Biomethan sofort verfügbar ist und Wasserstoff (noch) nicht
Wie Industrieunternehmen bereits heute damit dekarbonisieren
Was Deutschland von Spanien, Italien & Frankreich lernen kann
Warum Pragmatismus der echte Change Maker in der Energiewende ist
Warum Biomethan sofort verfügbar ist und Wasserstoff (noch) nicht
Wie Industrieunternehmen bereits heute damit dekarbonisieren
Was Deutschland von Spanien, Italien & Frankreich lernen kann
Warum Pragmatismus der echte Change Maker in der Energiewende ist
25 Minuten
In our latest ESFORIN Change Makers episode, our founder Christian Hövelhaus and co‑founder Christoph Gardlo reflect on developments of the power markets, ESFORIN’s achievements and big questions of the energy economy:
Power market volatility & price spikes across Europe
ESFORIN’s growth, new markets & milestones
Our one‑stop shop approach for all types of flexibility
Batteries, regulatory shifts & what’s next for industry players
And of course: why E‑world is always at its most exciting when markets go crazy
Power market volatility & price spikes across Europe
ESFORIN’s growth, new markets & milestones
Our one‑stop shop approach for all types of flexibility
Batteries, regulatory shifts & what’s next for industry players
And of course: why E‑world is always at its most exciting when markets go crazy
33 Minuten
Batterien sind die #ChangeMaker der Energiewende! Genau deshalb beleuchten wir in unserer neuesten ESFORIN CHANGE MAKERS Podcast-Folge die heißesten Themen im Batteriemarkt.
Mit dabei: Christoph Gardlo (COO & Co-Founder) und Alex Schwabbauer (Business Development & Sales Batterien).
Im Fokus dieser Folge:
️ Warum zukünftige Restriktionen bei Netzanschlüssen die Batterievermarktung aufmischen.
Das Potenzial von Grüner Co-Location: die Kombination aus EEG-Direktvermarktung und Flexibilität.
Ein Blick auf neue Technologien wie Zinkbromid-Batterien und ihre Vorteile.
Intelligente Vermarktung: Wie KI und Cross-Market-Optimierung den entscheidenden Unterschied machen.
Der Podcast zur #Energiezukunft, zur digitalen Energiewende und zum Andersmachen.
Mit dabei: Christoph Gardlo (COO & Co-Founder) und Alex Schwabbauer (Business Development & Sales Batterien).
Im Fokus dieser Folge:
️ Warum zukünftige Restriktionen bei Netzanschlüssen die Batterievermarktung aufmischen.
Das Potenzial von Grüner Co-Location: die Kombination aus EEG-Direktvermarktung und Flexibilität.
Ein Blick auf neue Technologien wie Zinkbromid-Batterien und ihre Vorteile.
Intelligente Vermarktung: Wie KI und Cross-Market-Optimierung den entscheidenden Unterschied machen.
Der Podcast zur #Energiezukunft, zur digitalen Energiewende und zum Andersmachen.
38 Minuten
Is the Energy Transition fully secure and smart? Maybe not yet! Tune in to our latest podcast with Amperecloud CEO Frederik Merz. His company is building the operating system for renewables and he shares insights on digitalisation, security and data in the energy industry.
In this interview, we tackle questions such as: How do we efficiently manage the massive, decentralized fleet of renewable assets? What vulnerabilities exist in our critical infrastructure? Frederik reveals some surprisingly simple, yet terrifying, threats.
The "ESFORIN Change Makers" podcast is about #energyfuture, the digital energy transition and about change making.
In this interview, we tackle questions such as: How do we efficiently manage the massive, decentralized fleet of renewable assets? What vulnerabilities exist in our critical infrastructure? Frederik reveals some surprisingly simple, yet terrifying, threats.
The "ESFORIN Change Makers" podcast is about #energyfuture, the digital energy transition and about change making.
30 Minuten
What does it take to lead Europe’s energy transition? Dr. Dierk Paskert shares insights from decades of leadership at E.ON, Encavis and TotalEnergies and why agility, innovation, and long-term vision are essential for shaping a sustainable #energyfuture.
In this episode:
· Why flexibility and innovation drive #transformation
· The underestimated power of PPAs, batteries and #hydrogen
· How visionary leadership creates lasting impact
· What Europe needs to secure its energy future
The "ESFORIN Change Makers" podcast is about #energyfuture, the digital energy transition and about change making.
In this episode:
· Why flexibility and innovation drive #transformation
· The underestimated power of PPAs, batteries and #hydrogen
· How visionary leadership creates lasting impact
· What Europe needs to secure its energy future
The "ESFORIN Change Makers" podcast is about #energyfuture, the digital energy transition and about change making.
29 Minuten
What do recycling polymers, AI agents and your washing machine at 3 am have in common? They’re all part of the energy future and it’s getting more circular, digital and flexible than you might think.
With 30 years of experience in management consulting and strategic advisory Götz Erhardt, Chief Executive Officer of Industry X in Europe, Middle East and Africa at Accenture, shares his insights on the world of circular economy, digital transformation and flexibility in the energy sector.
With 30 years of experience in management consulting and strategic advisory Götz Erhardt, Chief Executive Officer of Industry X in Europe, Middle East and Africa at Accenture, shares his insights on the world of circular economy, digital transformation and flexibility in the energy sector.
23 Minuten
How do we really decarbonise heavy industry? And can sustainability be a business success at the same time? In our latest ESFORIN Change Makers episode, we sit down with Christian Grapatin, Partner at Monitor Deloitte, to explore one of the toughest nuts to crack in the #energytransition: the decarbonisation of heavy industry. We address the disruptive aspects, from why Germany is at risk of deindustrialisation, to how companies can turn sustainability into commercial success.
27 Minuten
From California to the Allgäu – in our latest ESFORIN Change Makers Podcast, we interview Oliver Koch, CEO of sonnen, the global leader in battery energy storage for private households and virtual power plants. You can expect energy loaded insights about:
sonnen’s journey from hardware startup to a digital energy pioneer
The role of decentralised household flexibility in the future energy system
Why VPPs aren’t just a buzzword and how sonnen stabilises the grid daily
Challenges and opportunities in international energy markets
And why 2024 might just be the "internet moment" for flexibility
sonnen’s journey from hardware startup to a digital energy pioneer
The role of decentralised household flexibility in the future energy system
Why VPPs aren’t just a buzzword and how sonnen stabilises the grid daily
Challenges and opportunities in international energy markets
And why 2024 might just be the "internet moment" for flexibility
ESFORIN CHANGE MAKERS
The podcast on the future of energy, the digital energy transition and change making.