Shifting to net-zero energy sourcing is not a nice-to-have anymore; it is something that companies must take seriously. It is not only the right thing to do from an environmental perspective, but it’s also now a huge business imperative. However, the energy world is getting more complicated with all the clean energy buzz.

PPAs are becoming the centerpiece. Long-term PPAs allow companies to lock in a consistent energy supply. It also helps to lower carbon emissions and address fluctuating energy prices. This is while keeping pace with climate targets.

The 4th Net-Zero Energy Sourcing & Power Purchase Agreements Summit brought together some of the industry leaders to address these issues & solutions that can get everyone one step closer to that carbon-neutral world. In this piece, we’re diving into the highlights from the summit, from sessions to sponsors, and what made it a standout for anyone wanting to get a grip on sustainability and energy sourcing.

Sessions at the 4th Net-Zero Energy Sourcing & Power Purchase Agreements

The summit provided a platform for experts to examine deeply the most challenging issues facing the energy sector. The forums were designed to offer operational understandings, from the ability to comprehend complex regulatory frameworks to mastering financial risk management. So, let’s look at these sessions: 

Smart Renewable Energy Procurement – Bridging Production Flexibility & Regulatory Realities

Speaker: Florian Heinecke, Head of Group Energy Procurement & Energy Management, WEPA Group

This session examined how companies can utilize operational flexibility to base long-term renewable energy procurement. Furthermore, the speaker referenced the most significant regulatory and economic disincentives that discourage industries from utilizing this flexibility to the fullest extent. The conversation also addressed the overall impact of renewable energy procurement on a company’s credible energy transformation, pointing out that both technical capability & market forces must be considered for sustainable energy objectives.

FIRE-SIDE CHAT – Navigating CBAM & ETS – Strategic Impacts on Energy Procurement & Decarbonization Goals

Speaker: Bernardo Nascimento, Energy & Climate Change Policy Officer, Eurometaux

Throughout the fireside chat, the speaker offered valuable information regarding what energy buyers and sellers need to know. This is regarding the evolving EU regulatory landscape, for instance, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism & the Emissions Trading System. Moreover, the presentation also covered the effects of carbon pricing and CBAM on electricity cost and supply chain choice. The speaker presented strategies for: 

• Future-proofing long-term arrangements 
• Managing carbon-related risks in international sourcing,
• as well as how these regulations affect investments in renewable energy.

Integrated Energy Solutions – Maximizing Value through Smart PPA Design & Hybrid Systems

Speaker: Daniel P. Büttner, Country Manager, Prosolia Energy

The presenter of this session discussed the development of customized energy solutions to match various applications, from commercial to utility-scale systems. Furthermore, the speaker spoke about the optimization of PPA schemes to match consumption profiles & regulatory frameworks. The element of co-located PV & storage system integration to enhance flexibility/ value was also seen in the session. Additionally, the session addressed some of the technology combinations for optimizing PPA performance and reliability, and presented lessons learned from project development in several European markets. As a result, it gave hands-on guidance for successful implementation.

5 key pitfalls for PPA offtakers across the globe

Speakers: Kai Eisenhardt, Senior Sustainability Advisor & Damla Yucebas, Senior Managing Consultant, Renewable Energy Solutions, South Pole

The speakers gave an overview of the top five traps of PPA offtakers to watch out for in emerging high-growth energy markets, from policy restrictions to permitting regimes. Moreover, the speakers described the financial & operational hazards involved with them. It includes balance sheet exposure & coverage gap. The speakers at the 4th Net-Zero Energy Sourcing & Power Purchase Agreements  Summit also presented case studies from emerging markets to illustrate common challenges. Additionally, they gave practical guidance on how to reduce these risks & secure strong, future-proof energy contracts. This is while highlighting why PPAs remain a powerful tool for companies.

Sanden Europe’s Journey toward Sustainability

Speaker: Anna-Lena Pernkopf, Head of European Sustainability, Sanden International (Europe) GmbH

This session was a close examination of Sanden Europe’s journey to sustainability. The presenter shared their company’s inspiring journey to fulfill its environmental mission & offered an insightful case study of how a multinational corporation approaches the complexities of greenery. Additionally, publics were introduced to the firm’s special approaches, setbacks/ achievements, and how these provided a candid & inspiring perspective on corporate efforts toward sustainability in the global business scene.

Managing PPA Price Volatility & Negative Pricing – Resilience Strategies for Corporate Offtakers

Speaker: Katharina Winter, Senior Commodity Originator, BKW Energie AG

The speaker of the session addressed an urgent issue for corporate off-takers: dealing with market volatility and risk. This includes higher price volatility and negative pricing events. Furthermore, the speaker explained how these conditions have altered contract design from straightforward “plain vanilla” deals to more complex structured PPAs. Moreover, the session gave advice on how to reduce risks, including the structuring of PPAs with downside protection and floor prices. It also addressed new structures like baseload and hybrid PPAs with storage. This is to increase resilience in an uncertain energy market.

Moving Towards 24/7 Green Power Supply

Speaker: Sarah Drevermann, Senior Lead Originator, cPPAs, ENGIE

This session outlined the paths to a 24/7 green energy supply. The presenter explained what 24/7 hour-matched green energy is and spoke at length about its guiding principles, illuminating a theory that is quickly gaining traction. Moreover, she contrasted this with the way most corporations currently purchase green energy and broached the physical realities of such a transition. The presenter at the 4th Net-Zero Energy Sourcing & Power Purchase Agreements Summit also provided valuable information on how to determine the right time for a firm to transition to an uninterrupted green power source.

Strategies for a volatile & evolving power market

Speaker: Taraneh Azad, Chief Commercial Officer, Paratus

The presenter spoke about the new reality of electricity markets, formed by:

• Negative pricing, 
• Increasing volatility,
• And changing long-term agreements. 

The speaker clarified why conventional PPA strategies might no longer be effective in today’s geopolitics. Furthermore, the speaker provided strategic options for both consumers and producers to redefine their price strategies. The conversation also centered on creating the appropriate internal capabilities and where partnership & new market tools can give us a competitive edge.

Agri PV – Why cows think solar panels are cool

Speaker: Gaby Symonds, Head of Procurement, Nestlé Deutschland AG

The presentation at the 4th Net-Zero Energy Sourcing & Power Purchase Agreements  Summit was an interesting glimpse into the idea of Agri PV. It merges agriculture and solar energy generation. The speaker described what Agri PV is and the numerous advantages it carries, along with the hurdles that have to be addressed to ensure successful implementation. Moreover, the presenter presented a definite case study of Nestlé’s factory in Biessenhofen. It explained the transition by the company to renewable energy sources in Germany and how this new way of thinking is having a real impact.

Powering Sustainable Progress – Microsoft’s Carbon Negative Strategy & Community Impact through PPAs

Speaker: Ginevra Guzzi, Director, Renewable Energy Liaison EMEA, Microsoft

This session went through the ambitious plan Microsoft holds by 2030 to be carbon negative, water positive, & zero waste. Furthermore, the speaker went into how the company is making use of PPAs to get to its goal of 100% renewable energy by 2025. The presentation also underlined Microsoft’s local footprint and global approach. This described the method by which PPAs are applied to:

• Fund clean energy projects, 
• Generate jobs, 
• And drive economic growth in host communities. 

The speaker also talked about scaling the carbon removal market. 

VPPA 2.0 Reverse Auctions

Speaker: James F. Boyle, CEO & Founder, Sustainability Roundtable, Inc.

The presenter of this session presented the idea of VPPA 2.0 Reverse Auctions. This is a new and advanced method of purchasing Virtual Power Purchase Agreements. The presenter gave a good briefing on how this reverse auctioning process takes place and its advantages for corporate buyers. Additionally, the conversation was about how this technique can: 

• Make the procurement process more efficient, 
• Promote competitive pricing, 
• Obtain new renewable energy projects 
• And how it is an effective tool for businesses wanting to achieve their sustainability objectives. 

Power at the Speed of Need – Understanding Europe’s Intraday Electricity Markets

Speaker: Denise Schuchter Kratz, Account Manager – Energy Markets, Deutsche Börse AG

This session at the 4th Net-Zero Energy Sourcing & Power Purchase Agreements Summit provided participants with an insider’s view of Europe’s intraday power markets. The speaker discussed the function of Deutsche Börx’s Energy IT product family, the power behind the power. Moreover, the speaker gave a detailed tour of the M7 Trading platform, the heart of intraday power trading, and described how it enables:

• Market growth, 
• Powers algorithmic trading, 
• And addresses the challenge of delivering 24/7 seamless service in a high-speed world.

Who Were The Sponsors For The 4th Net-Zero Energy Sourcing & Power Purchase Agreements

The 4th Net-Zero Energy Sourcing & Power Purchase Agreements Summit brought together organizations that are major players when we talk about the net-zero transition. They give the solutions/service/strategic advice that allow businesses to achieve their sustainability objectives. Each sponsor has its own strengths, but a common goal of advancing businesses in real ways towards net-zero. So, let’s take a look at them:

3Degrees – Premier Networking Sponsor

3Degrees is in the business of solving the “how” of big corporate net-zero commitments. It guides companies through:

• Setting specific climate goals, 
• Measuring their greenhouse gas footprint, 
• And resolving all three scopes of their carbon footprint. 

Also, from renewable electricity buying to carbon credit strategy and supply chain involvement, it provides end-to-end service instead of discrete products. During the summit, 3Degrees brought its pragmatic experience. It allowed attendees to visualize how grand sustainability vows can be translated into thoughtful/ actionable plans. So, this made it much easier for attendees to go from pledge to action.

South Pole – Premier Networking Sponsor

South Pole works globally with businesses, governments, & organizations. This is to:

• Reduce emissions, 
• Get to a low-carbon future, 
• And turn climate action into opportunity. 

It operates with effective, tailored solutions and has worked with over a thousand organizations to achieve important steps on the path to sustainability. This is while empowering projects that bring measurable, real-world results. Additionally, South Pole shared its know-how on PPA offtaker pitfalls & risks and offered pragmatic takeaways at the summit. So, this left attendees better equipped to tap into complex markets and create more resilient, long-lasting energy plans.

BKW Energy – Bronze Sponsor

BKW Energy, a subsidiary of the Swiss BKW Group, is one of Europe’s largest energy companies with expertise in generating, trading, and selling energy while supplying heat & electricity and investing in electromobility. Furthermore, with 1,700 employees and a diversified portfolio, it is an adaptable partner in a rapidly evolving sector. During the conference, BKW Energy offered guests a clear insight into how a diversified energy company manages price volatility and negative pricing from its own experience. This helped the guests to consider more strategically how to structure and secure their power purchase agreements.

Prosolia Energy – Bronze Sponsor

Prosolia Energy is pan-European with a history in decentralised clean energy. It owns, develops, and invests in projects that include:

• Solar photovoltaic panels, 
• Wind turbines, 
• Energy storage, 
• And hybrid systems.

Moreover, this serves customers from large industrial conglomerates to government departments looking for long-term energy self-sufficiency. At the 4th Net-Zero Energy Sourcing & Power Purchase Agreements Summit, Prosolia Energy showed how hybrid systems and integrated energy solutions can maximize value for PPAs. Its end-to-end project experience allowed delegates to understand the benefits of designing bespoke, adaptable energy configurations to match consumption profiles and regulatory needs in the long term.

Paratus – Bronze Sponsor

Paratus is the world’s first (re)insurance firm dedicated to underwriting energy price risk. By offering insurance for transition fuels and renewable power, it helps projects:

• Withstand price volatility, 
• Stabilising cash flow 
• And improving returns so companies can reinvest in clean energy. 

At the summit, Paratus walked through how negative pricing, rising volatility, & shifting long-term arrangements are changing electricity markets and making old PPAs less effective. It also outlined which skills/ partnerships market players need to develop now to stay competitive.

ENGIE – Presenting Partner

ENGIE is a global energy leader with nearly 98,000 employees in 30 countries. It invests billions each year to reach net-zero carbon by 2045. Furthermore, it:

• Generates renewable electricity and green gas, r
• Runs batteries, manages networks, 
• Builds heating and cooling networks, 
• And supplies energy directly to businesses and communities. 

At the 4th Net-Zero Energy Sourcing & Power Purchase Agreements Summit, ENGIE’s focus on going 24/7 green power supply helped attendees see how hourly matched renewable energy procurement can be made a reality for business buyers. This gave a large-scale vision of what the future of supply looks like. 

Sustainability Roundtable Inc. – Presenting Partner

Sustainability Roundtable, Inc. (SR Inc.) is a strategic advisor to Fortune 500 executives on how business operations can be aligned with decarbonisation through an innovative membership model. Moreover, it assists organizations in having distinct goals, tracking progress, and sharing lessons learned. This speeds up the implementation of best practices. At the 4th Net-Zero Energy Sourcing & Power Purchase Agreements Summit, SR Inc. showcased how working together and reverse auctions can enhance renewable procurement speed. Additionally, its emphasis on open dialogue and research allowed participants to acquire knowledge from one another. This also led to the elimination of effort duplication and moving further with confidence toward sustainability objectives.

To sum up

The 4th Net-Zero Energy Sourcing & Power Purchase Agreements Summit provided a very important forum for industry leaders to highlight the complexities of the energy transition. Furthermore, the event’s sessions & the invaluable contribution of the sponsors gave attendees something rare, i.e, practical real-time solutions, insights, case studies, a clear vision for the future of sustainable energy, and above all, access. By being part of such events, your business doesn’t just stay ahead of the competition in execution, but also makes the right partnerships and presence to dominate the world of sustainability we are heading towards.

Do you wish to be a part of such events going forward? Make sure you register right away!