On 13 and 14 October 2026, the first vgbe conference “Health & Safety in the Energy Transition” took place at the Maritim Hotel Düsseldorf. A total of 45 participants from the energy sector and related fields came together to discuss current occupational health and safety challenges and exchange experiences from operational practice. Alongside experts from several European countries, we were also pleased to welcome guests from Kenya and South Africa.
The programme highlighted the wide range of challenges facing Health & Safety in the context of the energy transition. From safety culture and mental health to operational fire protection, artificial intelligence and emerging energy technologies, the conference offered numerous opportunities for professional discussion and new perspectives.
Safety Culture, Mental Health and Operational Fire Protection
The first day focused on how companies can create safe working environments while placing greater emphasis on people. Marc Massaar van Schaik and Tom Gill explored different aspects of safety culture and leadership. Their contributions highlighted the importance of involving employees, encouraging open discussions about risks and learning from experience together.
Mental health and psychological safety were also key topics. Nadja Kreutzer addressed psychological safety, Dr. Philipp Jann discussed psychosocial emergency care, and Tim Kleber explored mental well-being and human capital intelligence. The different perspectives demonstrated that psychological risks should be addressed systematically alongside conventional workplace hazards.
The presentations on fire protection and hazardous substances showed how these approaches can be combined with practical protective measures. Marilen Körwien examined operators’ responsibilities in fire protection, while Jens Kai Holm addressed the specific fire protection requirements of biomass facilities. Sandra Patalla complemented the programme with insights into regulatory requirements for hazardous substances and their implementation in Germany.
Artificial Intelligence and Safety in Emerging Energy Systems
On the second day, the focus shifted to the impact of technological developments on Health & Safety. Igor Tjurlik presented approaches to safety indicators and incentive systems, while Andrea Ackermann-Isner shared insights into the development of safety culture at BKW.
The use of artificial intelligence was another key theme. Matthias Keite and Martin Westhoven explored the topic from technical and academic perspectives, respectively. Dr Stefan Hörmann presented potential applications in radiation protection, and Christian Berthold demonstrated how three-dimensional mapping of power plant facilities can open up new possibilities for digital representation and analysis. The presentations also addressed how new tools can deliver practical benefits and which limitations need to be considered when applying them.
Darüber hinaus beschäftigten sich die Teilnehmenden mit den Sicherheitsanforderungen neuer Energietechnologien. Mirko Hülskemper erläuterte technische Herausforderungen bei Batteriespeichersystemen, während Stefan Thumm den Brandschutz aus Sicht der Versicherungswirtschaft betrachtete. Dr. Kai Holtappels widmete sich der Zuverlässigkeit von Wasserstofftechnologien und den damit verbundenen Sicherheitsfragen. Weitere Beiträge zu erneuerbaren Energien und zur Offshore-Rettung rundeten das Programm ab.
International Exchange as a Key to Improving Safety
Beyond the diversity of topics, the conference was characterised above all by the intensive exchange between participants. Discussions were lively throughout both days, with participants actively engaging with the presentations, sharing their own experiences and raising questions from a range of operational perspectives. These conversations extended well beyond the individual presentations. The combination of practical experience with scientific and technical approaches made the exchange particularly valuable.
The guests from Kenya and South Africa also highlighted that many of the energy sector’s challenges extend beyond national borders. International exchange provides opportunities to discover different approaches, learn from one another and further develop solutions to shared challenges.
The first edition of “Health & Safety in the Energy Transition” was a great success. vgbe energy would like to thank all speakers for their valuable contributions, all participants for their active involvement in the discussions, and everyone who helped make the event possible.
The positive response and open professional dialogue encourage us to continue the conference. We are already looking forward to the next edition in 2028.
