World Energy Council Austria: Embassy Energy Talks

Embassy Energy Talks: The Road to Net Zero Energy: Insights from the UK and Austria

Organised by World Energy Council Austria

On Tuesday, 14 October 2025, at the Residence of the British Ambassador, Metternichgasse 6, 1030 Vienna. 

The British Embassy in Vienna is honoured to host the forthcoming edition of the Embassy Energy Talks. 

The Road to Net Zero Energy: Insights from the UK and Austria

Programme overview:

17.30: Arrival
18.00: Welcome

• Ambassador Lindsay Skoll CMG, 
  Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the UN and other International Organisations in Vienna
• Dr. Michael Strugl,
  President, World Energy Council Austria and CEO, Verbund AG

18.10: Presentations and panel discussion: moderated by Gerhard Gamperl, Secretary General, World Energy Council Austria

• Dr Alf Martinez-Felipe, Senior Lecturer, University of Aberdeen
  • Sustainable Hydrogen Production: Driving the Energy Transition in North-East Scotland through Sector Coupling 
• Dr Barbara Schmidt, Secretary General, Oesterreichs Energie
  • Integrating Renewable Sources into the Future Energy System
• Andrew Horsley, Head of Innovation - Eastern Europe Energy Programmes, Innovate UK
  • Net Zero: Perspectives from UK Innovation Programmes
• Tara Esterl, Head of Competence Unit Integrated Energy Systems, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
  • Flexibility as the Key: Integration into Markets and Grids

19.10: Audience Q&A
19.25: Closing remarks
19.30: Networking reception with drinks and light refreshments

Event overview:

In September, we were delighted to host our most recent Energy Embassy Talk: “The Road to Net Zero Energy: Insights from the United Kingdom and Austria” at the British Embassy, Vienna.

The event brought together experts from the UK and Austria to explore how we can accelerate decarbonisation, integrate renewables, and ensure flexibility in our energy systems on the road to net-zero energy.
A heartfelt thank you to H.E. Lindsay Skoll, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna, for graciously hosting this event at her stunning residence and for her very warm welcome. After opening remarks by . Michael Strugl, this edition of the Embassy Energy Talks, moderated by Gerhard Gamperl offered a fascinating mix of perspectives:

Alfonso Martinez-Felipe (University of Aberdeen) highlighted the Hydrogen Valley in North-East Scotland as a tangible example of how sustainable hydrogen production can drive local and national energy transition.
Barbara Schmidt (Oesterreichs Energie) underscored that Austria’s 2030 100% renewable goals are ambitious but within reach, though success will require both political will and proactive system integration.
Andrew Horsley (Innovate UK) shared insights from the UK’s innovation programmes, noting the future potential role of small modular reactors (SMRs) as low-carbon stabilisers that could complement renewables.
Tara Esterl (AIT Austrian Institute of Technology) reminded us that flexibility is key both on the user side and in the grids. Smarter tariffs, energy savings, and digitalisation must go hand in hand with infrastructure expansion.
The event concluded that collaboration among academia, policy, and industry remains the strongest asset in achieving a secure, sustainable, and integrated energy future.

You can read more here.