Main focus
Gas technologies offer considerable potential for the energy systems of the future. With greater use for power generation, highly efficient utilization technologies, especially the combined generation of electric power and heat, and the option to develop storage technologies for electric power, gas will make a significant contribution to climate protection and energy efficiency. The report of the Ethics Commission rightly assigns gas a key role in these areas, in contrast to the energy plan adopted by the German government in 2010. Through its innovation campaign, the DVGW has played a major role in this process. The main focus of this year's gat will also be on the innovation campaign, which will be the key topic of the specialist programme.
Welcoming addresses
Welcoming addresses by the DGW and BDEW presidents in the opening session of the conference will highlight key aspects. These will be followed by keynote speeches by Matthias Kurth (Federal Network Agency), Dr Uwe Franke (Deutsche BP AG) and, in the afternoon, Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer (Chairman of the Ethics Commission).
Keynote speeches, platform discussions and discussion forums
The first three discussion forums will deal with the prospects of gas in the energy systems of the future, the regulatory regime and the third EU legislative package for gas as well as innovative gas utilization technologies. The first day of the conference is to be rounded off by the presentation by Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer on "Social consensus for a future-oriented energy policy", followed by a platform discussion.
Parallel discussion forums
Discussion forums will offer in-depth information.
Topics are to include:
- Storage of power from renewable sources/hydrogen electrolysis
- biogas
- Gas technology in local energy plans
- Smart gas grids/smart metering
- Innovative gas-plus technologies
- Natural gas in the market/regulatory regime
- Gas metering/gross calorific value methods
- Unconventional gas
- Security of supplies
