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. Numerous exciting events will take place from May 8-10 as part of the Green Days of the St.Gallen Energy 2030 network. We 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 | Impulse presentation Energy efficiency to net zero: New opportunities for regional value creation |
Ivo Angehrn, Drees & Sommer Switzerland |
| 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 - Bye-bye mattress! Mattress recycling in Switzerland. |
Simone Hochstrasser, Mattress Alliance |
| 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. It sheds light on the challenges, opportunities and best practices for effectively integrating sustainable strategies into everyday corporate life. 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. It 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 the 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 shows how companies can successfully implement the circular economy through innovative business models and the adaptation of industry standards. This is not just about ecological 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-conserving business models in the workshop “Creating value in flow: developing circular business models”. The focus is 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. It explores the question of what approaches were pursued in the “KUBIK” area, what challenges a transformation of use entails – and where opportunities or stumbling blocks lie.
Dr. Nathalie Casas
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 extract the excess CO2 from the atmosphere. What to 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 highly sophisticated idea behind Empa’s new “Mining the Atmosphere” research initiative.
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 is worth less and less?”, 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 the circular economy at the Pusch Foundation and focuses on closing plastic cycles. She supports relevant initiatives as project manager or in her role as managing director of the Mattress Alliance. In her presentation entitled “Successful example of the circular economy in practice – goodbye mattress!”, she will shed light on the topic of mattress recycling in Switzerland. Using the example of this complex plastic product, she shows how challenging, but also necessary and feasible, its recycling is – and what concrete solutions there are for a functioning circular economy in this area.
Ivo Angehrn is Head of Sustainability Consulting at Drees & Sommer Switzerland with a focus on net zero and the circular economy. In his presentation “From energy efficiency to net zero”, he will show how the market and political framework conditions are developing, the central role that buildings and infrastructure play in this and the new opportunities that arise for regional value creation. Specific project examples show the scope of the transformation and how SMEs can change and position themselves in this environment.
Lorenz Neher is an expert in energy subsidy programs and, in his presentation “Financial support for renewable and efficient energy projects”, will show how building owners can benefit from subsidies. He explains how these programs contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and the production of renewable heat and electricity consumption, and what role data and big data play in this context.
Our event is supported by:
We look forward to seeing you:
