Accelerating Cleantech – Trust, Standards, and Collaboration at the Forefront

Stakeholders are reassessing the role of a new era of clean technologies (cleantech) across multiple sectors. This marks a pivotal moment of reorientation and trust-building, as we navigate the challenges of aligning ambitious climate protection goals with the need to remain economically competitive.

The focus is shifting toward a comprehensive and clean energy policy. A key issue currently under review is the overproduction of renewable energy, which is outpacing available storage capacities. This imbalance highlights the urgent need for strategic innovation and a fundamental shift in thinking to ensure a sustainable and resilient energy future.

Cleantech sector trends include:

Global Market Growth: Driven by AI, rapidly developing clean technologies, and circular economy solutions
Investment Surge: Clean energy investments are expected to surpass upstream oil and gas spending
Key Trends:
- AI-driven energy optimization
- Solid-state batteries and long-duration storage
- Carbon capture and regenerative agriculture
- Green mobility and bio-based materials

However, challenges persist:

Supply Chain Fragmentation
Skills Shortages
Policy Misalignment
Funding Gaps and Risk Aversion

VDE Renewables is actively addressing these challenges with its bankability and insurability certification. To attain a clean energy policy, we need to add smart and flexible energy management and look beyond the current definition of sustainability.

This discussion between VDE President Alf Henryk Wulf and VDE Director of Trends and Innovation Burkhard Holder, addresses the pressing pain points in sustainability and cleantech. Watch to see the shared insights into the manifesto aimed at reshaping the global roadmap for clean energy.

Watch the discussion below:

Key Takeaways

Investability & Insurability: Cleantech must be profitable and secure to attract investors. VDE proposes pre-standards to ensure early-stage technologies align with future norms.
Technological Openness: No single solution fits all—competition and innovation across technologies are vital.
Collaboration Over Competition: Cross-sector and cross-border cooperation is essential to scale solutions and build trust.
Reducing Bureaucracy: Streamlining processes and empowering companies to self-regulate under neutral oversight can accelerate progress.

The Manifesto on the Status of the global transformation in the energy sector can be viewed here.

Accelerating Cleantech – Trust, Standards, and Collaboration at the Forefront

Cleantech sector trends include:

However, challenges persist:

Watch the discussion below:

Key Takeaways

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