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Review vgbe Conference DIHKW 2026

Technology, Transformation, Future: Under the theme “Germany’s Energy Supply – Transitioning to Low-Carbon Generation,” the vgbe conference took place in Potsdam on April 22 and 23, with numerous industry participants and prominent exhibitors in attendance.
  • 12. May 2026
On the shores of Lake Templin, on the historic grounds of the airship port, stands the Kongresshotel Potsdam—a place where history, the present, and the future intertwine in a unique way. Where zeppelins once soared into the sky, embodying the pioneering spirit of early aviation, some 170 experts gathered to discuss the technologies driving the energy and industrial transformation. This symbolic connection is hardly coincidental: The airships of yesteryear stood for technical breakthroughs, bold visions, and a belief in progress—precisely the attitude that also shapes today’s debate on a low-carbon energy supply. Against this inspiring backdrop, the Kongresshotel Potsdam became the perfect venue for an exchange on innovations, challenges, and perspectives within a changing energy landscape.

19 presentations provide insights into a wide range of technological and operational realities

Following the official welcome by Swen Kaast (vgbe energy e.V.) and Thomas Bahde (BEW Berliner Energie und Wärme GmbH) in the main conference hall, Peter Volkmann, Hubertus Dünschede, Markus Bieder, and Michael Kübel served as moderators and session chairs for 19 presentations, divided into five sessions. The focus of the conference was the well-known question of how Germany’s energy supply can become secure, affordable, and more climate-friendly at the same time — a tension that ran like a common thread through nearly all the presentations. Amid discussions of hydrogen technologies, system stability, central control rooms, modern burner technologies, combined cycle power plants, geothermal energy, large-scale heat pumps, biomass cogeneration plants, and gas engine power plants, one thing became clear: The energy transition is not being implemented in Berlin and Brussels, but right in the heart of control rooms, power plant halls, and engineering offices.

fltr: H. Dünschede, M. Bieder, M. Kübel, P. Volkmann and M. Bieder
Swen Kaast commented: “What was particularly exciting was the high practical component of many of the presentations. Speakers shared real-world operational experiences, concrete figures, and unfiltered insights from their facilities—including failures, analyses, and lessons learned.” Discussions were correspondingly lively: during and after the presentations, as well as during the breaks, which were accompanied by a rich culinary spread. Several presentations that deliberately went beyond purely technical issues also drew attention. For instance, Prof. Dr. Thomas Brockmeier spoke remarkably candidly about the costs of the energy transition for German households, political decision-making gridlocks, and the technology-inhibiting effect of ever-new regulations and ordinances. Christoph Hauke turned his attention to the working world of the industry itself. Surprisingly directly, he addressed generational conflicts between boomers and Generation Alpha, young people who don’t drop their slang even in job interviews, and how to win over this new generation with feedback and freedom. International experts also made their way to Potsdam, including Prof. Dr. Oliver Probst from the School of Engineering and Sciences in Monterrey, Mexico, who compared the energy systems of Germany and Mexico in his presentation—thereby bringing an outside perspective to an often very German debate.
Christoph Hauke
Prof Dr Thomas Brockmeier

Networking between exhibition booths and Babelsberg film sets

A total of 15 exhibitors presented new products, services, and technical solutions. Manufacturers and service providers took the opportunity to initiate new contracts and partnerships directly at the conference. Another ideal opportunity for networking at vgbe conferences is provided by the elaborately organized evening events, which in Potsdam included an exclusive guided tour of the hallowed halls of the Babelsberg Film Park. Following in the footsteps of international film history, the groups marveled at original props from major blockbusters and gained insights into stunt and studio productions. The event concluded with a dinner attended by approximately 170 guests, including vgbe Managing Director Dr Oliver Then.
to the photo gallery

DIHKW 2026 impressively demonstrated that the energy sector is currently concerned with far more than mere technical issues. The focus was on security of supply and transformation, on innovation and bureaucracy, on skilled workers, generational change, and Europe’s role in global competition. Above all, however, it became clear just how great the need for honest exchange within the industry remains—technically sound, practical, and sometimes pleasantly controversial. Details of the next conference, expected to take place in approximately two years, will be announced in due course via vgbe Event Calendar and LinkedIn.

You can find all the information about the event, the exhibitors, and the presentations in the program here.

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