Covering information technology, energy, medical engineering, microelectronics, micro- and nanotechnologies and automation – the five VDE specialist societies (ITG, ETG, DGBMT, GMM and GMA) are a combination of information forums, scientific platforms and networks. Their technical and scientific work provides the basis for innovations in the fields of communication, energy, healthcare and mobility. VDE experts develop innovation strategies, support the international dialog between researchers and users, and provide expertise to help in policy decision-making. In 2007, the five societies participated in 29 conferences, presented 8 exhibitions, held 242 seminars and attracted over 60,000 participants in all. The international meetings and conferences gave electrical and IT experts a welcome platform for knowledge transfers and professional networking. In addition, the societies kept the scientific and political communities, industry and the public informed about the latest technical trends through a series of studies, position papers and publications. All five societies awarded prestigious prizes during the year for outstanding technical and scientific achievements, helping highlight the importance of engineering.
ITG - Information Technology in the VDE
ECOC – the world summit for optic technologies
In September 2007, the Information Technology Society (ITG) organized the European Conference and Exhibition on Optical Communications (ECOC) in Berlin for over 4,000 participants and 350 exhibitors from more than 60 countries. As the most important European conference in this field and a key international forum for experts, the event presented the latest trends in fiber optic technology, their components and modules – and showcased prototypes and new products. German producers of fixed network equipment have a global market share of over 50 percent in certain segments, such as optical networks. During the year, the ITG also hosted 67 events, including 18 international conferences and workshops. Among its other activities, the ITG worked to offer both political and technical solutions for providing as many broadband connections in Germany as possible, since the country still lies only slightly above the EU average for per capita broadband access.
ETG Energy Technology in the VDE
Pledged to the future
Throughout 2007, the topics of energy efficiency, power supply security, climate protection, decentralized power supplies and energy research were showcased in studies and numerous events hosted by the Power Engineering Society (ETG). For example, energy efficiency was a central theme at the 2007 Hanover Fair – and the “Life Needs Power” event organized by the VDE/ETG and ZVEI provided a forum for manufacturers, users and scientists to discuss practical energy solutions that will shape future markets. In another field, the ETG presented its study “Decentralized Energy Supplies 2020” at a federal government press conference in Berlin. The study indicates that the combination of more efficient central power generation and decentralized power stations can save energy resources and reduce the country’s dependency on energy imports. Greater progress in Germany, however, depends on higher investments – as an ETG study stressed. Japan invests seven times more money in energy research than Germany. The ETG calls for a balanced energy mix, greater use of domestic resources, and much higher efficiency – along with CO2-free coal-fired power plants, and smart power grids. The ETG hosted important congresses in Karlsruhe and Munich, and contributed to key power transmission forums at the CIGRE and CIRED congress held in Stuttgart in November.
DGBMTMedical Engineering in the VDE
Interdisciplinary, innovative and international
The German Association of Biomedical Engineering (DGBMT) serves as an interdisciplinary platform for engineers, scientists, manufacturers, operators, physicians and public authorities working in areas such as bioengineering, clinical medical engineering and medical IT. The annual DGBMT conference in Aachen last September, for example, covered a broad spectrum of cross-disciplinary topics in over 500 lectures, workshops, symposiums and an exhibition. The DGBMT contributed to a number of major events during the year, such as the CeBIT and the new TeleHealth congress. At a symposium in March 2007 in Munich, experts evaluated key developments in diagnostics and therapy while focusing on the “hospital of the future.” The Ambient Assisted Living project to develop intelligent systems to assist the elderly was a theme at the Medica 2007, and will be the focus of the first AAL congress in Germany sponsored by the VDE and the Federal Ministry for Education and Research in Berlin early in 2008.
GMM - Micro and Nanotechnology in the VDE
Moving into growth markets of the future
The VDE/VDI Society of Microelectronics, Micro and Precision Engineering is dedicated to ensuring that Germany will continue to play a leading role in driving the growth markets for Microsystems used in the IT and automobile industries, for medical engineering, biotechnology, consumer goods and optics. The society co-hosted the Microsystems Technology Congress in Dresden, which attracted over 1,000 participants and has become a central industry event. In addition, the GMM held workshops and events for micro and nanotechnology experts and for nanooptics, along with specialist conferences in the field. The VDE 2007 Innovation Monitor ranks Germany as a leading global microelectronics provider, and nine out of ten VDE member companies and research institutes see Germany remaining at the top.
GMA - Automation in the VDE
Leading discipline in the German economy
Germany’s automation industry grew an imposing 10 percent in 2007, as the worldwide demand for products, systems and solutions continued to boom. In view of this ongoing trend and Germany’s excellent reputation and strength in this field, the Society of Measurement and Automation Engineering (GMA) sees automation as a key factor in the country’s economy. The GMA Congress 2007 in June was one of the year’s highlights for the industry: 320 participants discussed the current status of automation and were given substantial media coverage. During the year, GMA experts at various conferences and events focused on themes such as information security, image processing in manufacturing processes, optical measurement systems, innovative applications for automation, and automation technology in the year 2020.