We are aware that one of the key projects will be the transformation of the district heating system, as we have to switch to a new source in the coming years, which will be very demanding both from the point of view of finances and implementation.
Last year, we prepared a high-profile international conference “Welcome, Future – with Green Deal to Life Quality”, where we learned about practices abroad regarding the preparation of legislation, the provision of financial resources and support in the context of a just transition. We have gained experience and numerous contacts with representatives of European countries, which are helpful in planning further steps.
This September, in the month when Velenje celebrates a municipal holiday, we will hold an international conference Welcome, Future 2022, namely on Wednesday, September 21, in the Velenje House of Culture. The theme of this year's conference is the TRANSFORMATION OF DISTRICT HEATING SYSTEMS IN EUROPE. The official start is planned at 10 o'clock. Representatives of the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, competent ministries and representatives of friendly cities from the EU and the Balkans are invited to the conference, which will be held live and online. .
Access The conference agendaEveryone involved in the Just Transition from experts to solution providers to local community. It is intended for local authorities of partner cities, local communities and decision makers and all residents of Municipality of Velenje to hear which solutions are provided in Europe and how other cities are dealing with this situation. We are in a situation, where we have to switch to a clean source in ten years and we are interested in good practices and experiences of other cities in Europe.
The Savinja and Šalek Valley is facing coal phase out. We want to be ready and start this journey with content, programmes, and measures to carry out a quality and fair restructuring of the region. The event is intended for different stakeholders in our Valley and other regions that are in the just transition process. Therefore, we plan to invite representatives from European Commission, stakeholders from other cities and regions, ministries, and also solution providers. In the restructuring process, we must establish conditions for a pleasant life in the local community, which will satisfice and motivate residents not only to stay in the region but to return from elsewhere due to the high level of provided services and opportunities.
| 01 | 9:00 - 09:45 | Welcome coffeeAttendees Registration |
| 02 | 10:00 - 10:30 | Opening of the conference
• Peter Dermol, mayor, Municipality of Velenje |
| 03 | 10:30 – 11:10 | PANEL 1: DECARBONIZATION OF THE DISTRICT HEATING SYSTEMS TILL 2030 • Luis Galiano-Bastarrica, M.A., Representative of DG REGIO, Policy Assistant for energy policies and Just Transition Fund at European Commission |
| 04 | 11:10 – 11:30 | break |
| 05 | 11:30 – 12:00 | PANEL 2: FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE INSTRUMENTS• Šarūnas Bruzgė, Ph.D., economist, European Investment Bank
• Greg Gebrail, M.S., Senior Energy Specialist, Sustainable Infrastructure Policy and Project Preparation, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development |
| 06 | 12:00 – 13:00 | PANEL 3: CASE STUDIES IN EUROPE
• Hugues Defréville, M.S., CEO and Co-founder, Newheat • Jean-François Mougard, general manager, Representative of the Utility Services of Haute-Saintonge • Ing. Karsten Ivan, Project manager, Hornonitrianske bane Prievidza, Inc. • Alex Sogaard Moreno, M.A., Portfolio manager, Green Hub Denmark, Municipality of Aalbor |
| 07 | 13:00 – 14:15 | Lunch |
| 08 | 14:15 – 15:15 | PANEL 4: District Heating Systems Transformation Process in Slovenia
• Klemen Košir, director, Green Transition Office, Ministry of Infrastructure • Mitja Janža, Ph.D., Geological Institute Slovenia • Chandrasekhar Ramakrishnan, Ph.D., general manager, ILF Consulting Engineers Austri • Marko Agrež, Ph.D., technical director, Energy Ljubljana • Gašper Škarja, M.S., director of Utility company Velenje |
| 09 | 15:15 – 15:40 | BREAK |
| 10 | 15:40 – 17:00 | ROUND TABLE WITH CONCLUSIONS ON THE TOPIC OF DISTRICT HEATING IN VELENJEHOAST: Boštjan Krajnc, CEO, KSSENA Participants:: • Peter Dermol, mayor, Municipality of Velenje • Gregor Goričar, M.S., Coordinator of the company's director for strategies and innovations at ELES • Gašper Škarja, M.S., the director of the Utility company Velenje • Šarūnas Bruzgė, Ph.D., Environmental Economist at JASPERS, European Investment Bank • Vlasta Stojak, M.S., Secretary in the Cabinet of the Minister, Government Service for Development and European Cohesion Policy • Erik Potočar, M.S., Head of the Sector for the Policy of Efficient Use and Renewable Energy Sources, Ministry of Infrastructure • Uršula Menih Dokl, president, Šaleško ECO movement - association for nature conservation and environmental protection |
| 11 | 17:00 – 17:30 | SOLUTION PROVIDERS ”short pitches”: • Esotech - Robert Hudournik, M.S., member of the management of Esotech d.d., president of the Slovenian Remote Energy Group and Nejc Kolerič, leading designer of energy systems • Kolektor - Dejan Brozovič, M.S., Head of Energy and Sustainable Productscelotno • Tiki Hvac - Peter Šilc, procurator • Newheat - Hrvoje Milosevic – Business Development Manager Eastern & Central Europe and Nicolas Graveline, M.S. – Head of International Development at Newheat • Siemens Energy - Benjamin Černoša, the person responsible for marketing and sales of heat pumps Siemens Energy Slovenia |
| 12 | 17:30 | CATERING AND NETWORKING
**We reserve the right to modify the program** |
