Jürgen Aydt: A defining contribution to plant performance indicators and KISSY
Jürgen Aydt has been a member of the vgbe operators’ community for decades and has played a key role in shaping the field of plant performance indicators and the development of the vgbe energy plant database KISSY in particular. On 25 April 1990, he was appointed to what was then the ‘Availability and Damage Recording’ technical committee. Since then, he has been active in various vgbe committees and working groups in this field. From 2001, Aydt was a member of the Operational Performance Indicators working group, or TC Performance Indicators. He took over as its chair as early as 2002 and led the group for almost 25 years before handing over responsibility a year ago.
This long period also saw the fundamental overhaul of the KISSY database and the transition to the technical programme ‘Platform KISSY’, of which Aydt remains the project manager. The platform has been expanded to include new modules and is increasingly being opened up to other technologies – including hydropower, wind power, photovoltaics and, most recently, battery storage. The redesign of KISSY thus bears his distinct mark. In addition to his technical expertise, this required, in particular, foresight, patience and perseverance. Fundamental restructuring processes on this scale present numerous challenges and take time. At the same time, this further development laid an important foundation for the future expansion of KISSY and the vgbe databases, as well as for the integration of new technologies and future developments.
Dr Manfred Freimark: Decades of dedication to gas turbines
Dr-Ing. (hon.) Manfred Freimark has also been closely associated with the vgbe Operators’ Association for many years. He joined the then ‘Gas Turbines’ Technical Committee as early as 1991 and took over as its chair in 1994. However, his commitment to the vgbe, and in particular to the field of gas turbines, did not end with his retirement from professional life. On the contrary: as a recognised expert and dedicated honorary chairman of the ‘Gas Turbines’ Technical Committee, Freimark remained connected to the association. He continues to put his knowledge, experience and time at the service of the common cause.
In this way, he embodies in a special way what was described in the tribute as a ‘3M man’: a colleague, a contributor and a thought leader. His many years of work stand for professional competence, a sense of responsibility and a willingness to pass on knowledge and experience across generations. His personal record also illustrates the extraordinary duration and intensity of his commitment: since joining the vgbe Operators’ Association, Freimark has participated in around 70 committee meetings and chaired 15 gas turbine technical conferences.
Thanks and recognition for two influential figures
In honouring Jürgen Aydt and Dr.-Ing. E. h. Manfred Freimark by the chairman of vgbe energy e.V., Dr Georg Stamatelopoulos (CEO, EnBW) , the vgbe expresses its sincere thanks and recognition for their exceptional lifetime achievements in the service of the association’s collective work. Over the decades, both have taken on responsibility, contributed their specialist knowledge and helped shape the development of key areas of focus within the vgbe energy. The presentation of the certificates of honour during the vgbe Congress provided a fitting occasion to once again expressly highlight this long-standing commitment and to thank both of them for the many years they have spent working together.
The vgbe energy e.V. extends its heartfelt thanks, appreciation and respect to Jürgen Aydt and Dr Manfred Freimark for their exceptional commitment. We wish them both, from the bottom of our hearts, all the very best, good health, happiness and many fulfilling moments as they embark on this new chapter in their lives.
