Transfer of Science or Research, Contests / awards

Students from HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management impressed the judges with their substantive analyses and so won the case study competition held during the 5th HHL Energy Conference (May 11 & 12, 2015). The five students, who are currently completing a Master's program in Leipzig, beat out eleven other teams from various branches of study from all over the world in the field of "E-Mobility – Implications for Business Models and Infrastructure" and took home the winners' check of EUR 2,500.

The 5th annual HHL Energy Conference, entitled "Decentralized Energy – Finding Solutions to a Global Challenge", took place at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management on May 11 and 12, 2015. A total of 80 students representing six different countries and 34 different programs from 25 top-level national and international universities exchanged views on current issues in the energy sector with representatives from the industry, politics and science during the event. High-ranking corporate executives from Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, E.ON, Siemens Management Consultants, Corporate Transformation Group, MIBRAG and EnviaM/MITGAS talked about the latest trends in the energy sector. A case study competition which included monetary prizes amounting to a total of EUR 4,000 took place within the framework of the conference.

Student Vasilios Anatolitis from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) commented, "I benefited from the event both on a professional and a personal level. Working together in an international team with people I did not know before while pressed for time was a great experience for me."

HHL students scoring points with their idea for public utility companies

The case study competition represented a highlight of the conference. The question was 'How can public utility companies establish themselves on the market to operate on a long-term basis?' The winning team presented a targeted analysis of the current and future markets of IPP plants (independent power producer) and provided great foresight while convincing the judges of the positive forecast future of these products.

Discussions on decentralized energy

Leif Christian Cropp, Head of Energy Efficiency Germany at E.ON Connecting Energies, summarized the discussions conducted at the 5th HHL Energy Conference, stating, "We intensively examined the challenges of decentralized energy. In doing so, we quickly approached the topic of energy systems of the future. Questions such as 'What happens if major power stations are decommissioned?' or 'Who bears responsibility for the energy revolution?' particularly moved the students. The discussion with industry representatives showed that it is ultimately the customers who decide what they need and therefore, what sells successfully on the market. Consequently, focusing solely on regulation as a controlling tool is not desirable at all, particularly in the field of decentralized energy. Of all the energy suppliers, those able to offer high-quality, integrated solutions tailored to suit market needs will win the race. Energy efficiency will play as much of a role as local power generation and marketing flexibility in virtual power stations. It may have been news to some of the conference participants that, with the right partner, the required technological renovation of building equipment, for instance, can be funded through energy conservation."

Successful networking among conference participants

"The 5th HHL Energy Conference offered wide insight into future developments in the field of decentralized energy with its open presentations and panel discussions. The event fully succeeded in establishing networks between energy companies, consultants and international students," say HHL students and conference organizers Gerrit Suhlmann and Hagen Fischer. Thanks to the positive feedback, the Energy Conference is going to take place in an international framework next year as well.

HHL Energy Club organizes the HHL Energy Conference

The HHL Energy Conference is organized by students who are currently completing an MBA or M.Sc. program and who are committed members of the HHL Energy Club. The activities of the student initiative include organizing the annual HHL Energy Conference, discussion rounds with industry experts and field trips to various companies and institutions in the energy sector.

The energy industry, also represented by a cluster of the City of Leipzig, offers numerous opportunities to start careers and establish businesses. Therefore, the founding of the HHL Energy Club also provides impetus for development in the region. This particularly applies with regard to Leipzig's desire to become one of Europe's prominent energy metropolises.

Sponsors of the 5th annual HHL Energy Conference included Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, Siemens Management Consulting, E.ON, CTG, MIBRAG, enviaM and the Association of Friends of HHL.

Further information: www.hhlenergyconference.com

HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management

HHL is a university-level institution and ranks amongst the leading international business schools. The goal of the oldest business school in German-speaking Europe is to educate effective, responsible and entrepreneurially-minded leaders. In addition to HHL’s international focus, the combination of theory and practice plays a key role. HHL stands out for its excellent teaching, its clear research focus and its knowledge transfer with a strong practical relevance. www.hhl.de

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Weitere Informationen:
http://www.hhlenergyconference.com
http://www.hhl.de