The International Forum "Renewable Energy for Regional Development" was held on October 11 and 12 in Moscow.
The event was organized by EUROSOLAR Russia. The Forum was held with the support of the Russian Energy Agency (REA) and the German Energy Agency (dena), and the Partners of the Forum were the Federal Ministry of Economy and Energy of Germany (BMWi), the Swiss Business Assistance Center in Russia, GoodWe Europe and eclareon GmbH.
This event brought together domestic and foreign participants of the renewable energy market, representatives of ministries, scientific institutions, administrative bodies and financial organizations on one platform.
Important discussions took place at eight different sessions, and the online broadcast was very popular. The recording of the online broadcast and the program can be found on the Forum's website and on the YouTube channel of the organizer NP EUROSOLAR Russia.
Summary of discussions:
Regulatory regulation of renewable energy sources. Renewable energy sources for energy supply to consumers in retail markets, in remote and isolated power systems, and in the Arctic zone
Moderator Alexey Kaplun, Member of the Council of NP "Eurosolar Russia"
The participants of the panel discussion considered the key conditions for supporting the development of renewable energy projects in the retail electricity markets of the subjects of the Russian Federation.
The positions of investors, federal and regional development institutions are marked. The participants of the discussion noted the relevance of the development of projects in the Far East and the Arctic.
Based on the results of the event, the participants formulated proposals to improve the current legislation in terms of stimulating the development of renewable energy projects operating within the retail electricity market, including the development of projects in the Far East and the Arctic.
Development of microgeneration and international cooperation on the creation of new renewable energy generation facilities in the regions
Carlos Martinez, GoodWe Europe Project Manager for Russia
Industry experts discussed the barriers to the development of microgeneration in Russia. The main topical issue was the process of technological connection of microgeneration facilities to the facilities of electric grid companies.
As a result of the discussion, solutions were proposed, which will be further worked out within the framework of the functioning of the working group, which included the participants of the discussion: representatives of GoodWe, Volta Energy, NP EUROSOLAR Russia and the Moscow Energy Institute.
Renewable energy management solutions for industrial consumers
During the meeting, experts presented foreign and domestic experience in the implementation of projects in the field of renewable energy for industrial consumers, including in the implementation of energy storage projects (electrochemical and hydrogen).
The key industries that are most interested in using energy from renewable energy sources are highlighted.
Based on the results of the discussion, the need for further development and improvement of technologies in the field of renewable energy, stimulating the introduction of industrial enterprises, both from the standpoint of decarbonization and economic feasibility, was noted.
Commercialization of applied projects in the markets of Russia and Europe on the example of Switzerland
Julie Baechtold, Deputy Director of the Swiss Business Assistance Center, Embassy of Switzerland in the Russian Federation
Possible ways of commercialization of Russian-European applied projects were discussed. Projects of Russian, German and Swiss companies with the potential and technology to implement similar projects in the future were also presented.
As a result of the discussion, further plans for cooperation were outlined, the first of which will be the implementation of a pilot project for the construction of a solar station in Vladimir with the participation of a Swiss company.
Renewable energy sources: Regional challenges and new opportunities
Christina Haverkamp, Managing Director of the German Energy Agency dena
In recent years, Russia has been pursuing a consistent policy in the development of renewable energy sources. The Russian Federation has become a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). There is a RES support program under power supply contracts, under which projects are implemented in the wholesale electricity market. Due to the current competition in the renewable energy market in recent years, it has been possible to significantly reduce the average specific capital costs of projects.
The Plenary session discussed what additional measures should be taken to support the implementation of renewable energy projects in retail markets and how international experience can be used in the development of renewable energy projects.
Hydrogen technologies are the near future or a distant prospect. Regional development projects
Ivan Ivanov, Deputy General Director of the Russian Energy Agency
Hydrogen is developing quite dynamically, but this development is not enough to achieve the Paris Agreements. The participants of the discussion told how it is possible to increase the use of hydrogen technologies using the example of their companies. In addition, the issues of creating new projects for the steam conversion of methane and reducing the costs of electrolysis were considered.
"Green" financing: on the example of renewable energy projects
Representatives of the banking business and technology companies in the field of solar energy from Russia and Germany discussed the implementation of joint projects in terms of financial opportunities and existing state support measures. The most pressing issue is the active participation of the banking sector in renewable energy projects. The example of Germany shows that these tools are necessary for the effective development of the renewable energy industry.
RES as an element in the system of sustainable development and decarbonization in various sectors of the economy
The panelists discussed the use of renewable energy by companies in various sectors of the economy in order to comply with ESG principles and criteria for sustainable development. The participants discussed both financial aspects of the implementation of such projects and technical ones. Already implemented projects for the construction of solar power plants were presented by representatives of the banking sector, as well as retail, hotel business and agriculture.
As a result of the discussion, the most urgent issue requiring a joint solution was identified: the creation of customer-oriented banking products for easy access of representatives of various business sectors to renewable energy technologies.
The next Forum "Renewable Energy for Regional Development" will be held in October 2022.