The impact of the chemical industry on the generation and supply of energy in the future was the prominent theme for Sunday afternoon’s opening ceremony at Achema 2012.
After introductory remarks by Hans Jürgen Wernicke, chairman of Dechema e.V., Günther Oettinger, the energy commissioner of the European Union, discussed the role of energy in the economy.
“Energy competence is key to economic growth,” remarked Oettinger, adding that an efficient and stable system for generating energy on a regional basis is a prerequisite for economic success.
As the percentage of energy coming from renewable resources continues to increase, the chemical sector will play a large part in keeping power affordable, both to industry and individuals. This ability to provide affordable power will be a prominent theme going forward, Oettinger noted.
Following EU commissioner Oettinger at Achema’s opening ceremony was an address by Petra Roth, the mayor of Frankfurt. She spoke about the city’s efforts to generate all of the energy it uses from renewable sources. Currently, 40% of Frankfurt’s energy comes from renewable sources, Roth said, and the goal is to have all power coming from renewable energy in 2015.
Another highlight of the opening event was a talk by Ferdi Schüth, professor at the Max Planck Institute for Kohlenforschung in Mülheim, Germany. Professor Schüth talked about Germany’s planned phase-out of nuclear power by 2022 and the shift toward renewable energy. He commented repeatedly on the role of the chemical sector on this energy transition. For example, the chemical industry will be critical in developing new materials for advanced batteries for plug-in vehicles and load-leveling in wind power, as well as for fuel cells, gas turbines, solar photovoltaic cells, composite fiber materials and rare-earth-metal processing. All of these areas will continue to be areas of research interest for the chemical sector, he suggested.
The Achema opening also contained an energy-related panel discussion, an award presentation by DECHEMA to three teams of students who were the winners of a scholastic chemical research competition, and entertainment by a music and dance troupe.