How will the energy transition give me a competitive advantage?
Switzerland is striving for climate neutrality and we would like to make a contribution to this. As part of the Green Days of the St.Gallen Energy 2030 network, numerous exciting events will take place from May 8-10. We will focus on the relevance of renewable energy and the circular economy as an opportunity for innovative SMEs and show how energy efficiency, climate protection and a sustainable circular economy not only contribute to achieving climate neutrality, but also offer valuable opportunities for the future.
The event in brief
Reserve May 9 and find out how renewable energy and the circular economy can become an opportunity for innovative SMEs.
After a brief introduction to the topic, we will look together with our partners at the questions SMEs should ask themselves in order to successfully master the energy transition. Participation is free of charge.
May 9, 2025, 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Switzerland Innovation Park East
Lerchenfeldstrasse 3
9014 St.Gallen
Here you can order your personal code for your free public transport ticket to the Green Days 2025.
Program
| Time | Program item | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 07:30 | Registration and welcome coffee | - |
| 08:00 | Opening and welcome - introduction to the topic and its opportunities for SMEs | Thomas Tanner, Die Wertschaffer AG |
| Block: Energy | ||
| 08:15 | Impulse presentation Green or no green: Sustainability for SMEs |
Dr. Alexander Fust, KMU-HSG |
| 08:40 | Startup Pitch Smart grids for an efficient and affordable energy transition! |
Theo Auckenthaler, Netzoptimal AG |
| 09:05 |
Workshop Session 1
|
|
| 09:30 |
Workshop Session 2
|
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| 09:55 | Networking with coffee & croissants | |
| Block: Circular economy | ||
| 10:15 | Impulse presentation Circular Lab: Development of circular and sustainable solutions for SMEs |
Fabian Takacs, HSG - Circular Lab |
| 10:40 | Impulse presentation Successful example of the circular economy in practice |
Simone Hochstrasser, Pusch.ch |
| Block: Construction | ||
| 11:05 | Impulse presentation Transformation of use of the "KUBIK" site and principles of the circular economy |
Christian Wick, Mettler Entwickler AG |
| 11:30 | Impulse presentation Energy efficiency and innovations |
Noah Heynen, Helion |
| Keynote | ||
| 11:55 | The future of energy, mobility and the environment | Dr. Nathalie Casas, Empa |
| 12:25 | Conclusion and summary incl. feedback survey | Thomas Tanner, Die Wertschaffer AG / Selina Wenk, Switzerland Innovation Park East |
| 12:30 | Lunch & Networking | |
Speakers
Dr. Alexander Fust gives an overview in his presentation “Green or No-Green: Sustainability at SMEs”, Dr. Alexander Fust provides an overview of the current status of sustainability efforts at small and medium-sized enterprises. He will shed light on the challenges, opportunities and best practices for effectively integrating sustainable strategies into day-to-day business. The focus is on practical solutions and recommendations for action, which can be explored in greater depth in the SME-HSG sustainability guide.
Simon Schoch is Managing Director of energienetz GSG AG and Head of Technical Sales at St.Galler Stadtwerke. He shows how industrial waste heat can be used as a resource. “With our anergy network, we can substantially reduce CO2 emissions in the perimeter, use local resources and increase energy efficiency in companies.”
Dr. Fabian Takacs is an expert in sustainable transformation, circular economy and business model innovation. In his presentation“Circular Economy & Business Model Innovation“, he will show how companies can successfully implement the circular economy through innovative business models and the adaptation of industry standards. This is not just about environmental sustainability, but also about strengthening economic resilience and securing long-term competitive advantages.
Thibault Huber sheds light on how companies can design sustainable and resource-saving business models in the workshop “Creating value in flow: developing circular business models”. The focus will be on circular economy strategies, innovative value chains and practical approaches to implementation. Participants will gain valuable insights and inspiration for designing sustainable business models in their own practice.
Christian Wick is a real estate developer and deals with the sustainable conversion and further development of existing sites. In his presentation “Transformation of the ‘KUBIK’ site and principles of the circular economy”, he sheds light on the “KUBIK” and “Sitter Valley” projects in St. Gallen and shows how circular principles can be implemented in real estate development. He explores the question of which approaches were pursued in the “KUBIK” site, what challenges a transformation of use entails – and where opportunities or stumbling blocks lie.
Dr. Nathalie Casas
In order to limit climate change, we need to compensate not only for future emissions, but also for historical ones. One solution would be the “atmospheric vacuum cleaner”: we remove the excess CO2 from the atmosphere. What do we do with it? Instead of extracting the carbon for polymers, pharmaceuticals, fibers, fuels, etc. from crude oil, we use atmospheric CO2. This is the simple, but technically extremely sophisticated idea behind the new Empa research initiative “Mining the Atmosphere”.
Noah Heynen is CEO and co-founder of Helion and one of the key figures in the new energy world in Switzerland. In his presentation “What to do when solar power has less and less value?”, he highlights the opportunities opened up by the new Energy Act. He explains how companies can compensate for the loss in value of solar power – and gives specific recommendations on how SMEs can secure or even increase their profitability.
Simone Hochstrasser is project manager for circular economy at Pusch with a focus on closing plastic loops. She supports corresponding initiatives in the form of projects or as managing director. In her presentation, she uses the example of mattresses to show how challenging, but also necessary and feasible, the recycling of complex plastic products is – and what solutions there are for a functioning circular economy in this area.
Theo Auckenthaler from Netzoptimal AG will present innovative approaches in the start-up pitch on how smart grids can contribute to increasing efficiency in the energy system. The focus is on the question of how electricity grids can be made flexible, reliable and affordable in the future – a crucial component for the success of the energy transition.
Our event is supported by:
We look forward to seeing you:
