Leading green tech and start-up professionals gathered in Ruhr, Germany, for a day of talks, workshops, and masterclasses aimed at building growth and innovation for Europe’s tech businesses.
Among the attendees of the Ruhr Summit were representatives from local green tech businesses and supporters, including ECLS Translations, Wolf Network Security Ltd, Parker Neal Ltd, CDD Services Ltd, Graphene Innovations Manchester, and The Growth Company.
Green Economy’s Green Technologies and Services Lead, Vicky Wilding, was also present. Vicky attended with the goal of bringing green tech insights to the event and hearing from our European counterparts about what is driving forward Europe’s tech, sustainability, and start-up sectors. Here’s what she found out.
The Summit arrived as Greater Manchester and Ruhr strengthened its ties as part of a new Innovation Bridge connecting the two regions.
The Innovation Bridge seeks unlock Greater Manchester’s net zero and tech potential with a focus on hydrogen, cybersecurity and digital tools. The relationship is expected to bring green technology investment and innovation, a slew of highly skilled green jobs, and significant carbon cutting potential.
Following on from this partnership, Greater Manchester is primed for an Innovation Summit in September this year. A German delegate will be in attendance and the event will place heavy focus on hydrogen.
The Ruhr Summit had a dedicated Green Lab Zone, where some of the most exciting new innovations in green technologies were showcased to industry professionals ready to connect with the tech.
“One of the most interesting pieces of tech was an innovative new roller solar panel design for awning canopies,” explains Vicky. “The roller solar panels were extremely portable and flexible while still delivering efficient rates of solar power generation. This tells me that as more and more organisations are looking to invest in solar, the technology is evolving to cut down on installation times, transportation barriers, and portability concerns which may otherwise hinder investment.”
Renewable energy technologies are inherently evolving, and the Ruhr Summit was a clear indication of the focus and funds being directed into these technologies. Roller solar panels seem like an accessible and functional option which could make their way onto the roofs of many businesses across Europe, all while costs are falling and renewable energy investment is increasing.
A frequent concern related to green technologies is the issue of the materials and resources that go into making them. The Ruhr Summit addressed these problems with a clear answer: circularity.
By understanding exactly what materials go into a green tech product and how these materials can be sourced with circularity in mind, the green technology supply chain could be made even more sustainable and ethical with conscientious production techniques. Re-using the materials within discarded green technologies and repurposing them into newer products will not only save carbon, but it promises to protect the natural environment from mining processes which may otherwise damage the environment these products aim to protect.
Want to know more about ethical mining? Read about the debate here.
Interested in learning more about Ruhr’s green tech ambitions? Read up about their strategies which aim to strengthen ties and improve export opportunities with innovation in mind here.
Green Economy
Building a greener, net zero economy powered by local suppliers.
