PANELS DESCRIPTION

September 12th, 2024.

PANEL 1: Evolution of energy sector – the perspective of SEE region

Global energy sector is facing significant challenges in many areas in the future. In that regard, the development of modern technologies, on par with the increase in standard of living, are presented as one of the greater challenges, since they are closely tied with increase of energy consumption. However, even if they present challenges, some of the technologies provide us with new opportunities in management of energy resources. Special attention for the development of energy sector in the future will be new fuel technologies, renewable energy sources and energy storages, that even with certain drawbacks, impose themselves as proper solutions for critical strategic and economic issues. Furthermore, it will be very interesting to observe how energy policies will influence the future of transportation sector, since the adoption of electromobility technologies will coincide with the notable changes in electrical energy sector. Considering the evolution of energy sector as a global challenge, it will still face different geo-political and socio-economic conditions in different regions that will change the way to approach the challenges. The region of Southeast Europe (SEE) has a significant potential in classical technologies, nevertheless it takes notable amounts of time to ensure proper involvement and mass integration of contemporary technologies. During this summer we witnessed heavy loads that energy sector in the region faced, as well as the incidents that lead to system crash in certain countries. In order to fully analyze the evolution of energy sector in the perspective of countries within the region, a holistic analysis of complex factors is necessary to determine the correct routes of the future development, defining the availability and price of the energy sources as well as the stability of the sector in the process.

PANEL 2: EV 360 – Economy and technology of electromobility

Contemporary mobility technologies, predominantly based on electromobility, represent the future of transportation systems. As such, these technologies offer an array of benefits, but present us with some drawbacks that need to be dealt with before complete integration. However, the electromobility ecosystem is not just comprised of technologically advanced interfaces and contemporary drivetrain solutions. In order to properly foster the adoption of these technologies, a com prehensive approach is needed to develop a range of aggregation and enabling industry sectors. Currently, the price of ownership for electrical and hybrid vehicles, even including the incentive measures for their purchase seem to still influence the decision to buy significantly. The economy of transportation systems is expected to change significantly as the share of electric vehicles rises in the future. This is particularly true when the value of battery storage is considered, where lifetime expectancy is around 10 years. This will lead to one of the most important issues in the future - the residual value of the technology at the end of the life cycle or after damage. This is emphasized by the share of storage system in the value future vehicles which is easily estimated to be worth more than 40 % of the total value of the vehicle. Furthermore, to foster a sustainable transportation sector, it is necessary to answer a broader spectrum of ecological questions, where special attention needs to be given to recycling of materials. Considering the current state of environmental awareness of average users, particularly in the region, is mostly to use older (less reliable) vehicles, it becomes a justified issue whether contemporary technology will warrant a change in behavior. Additionally, an important question will be if the economic participants in the market will offer new solutions for financing new habits. Separately, another issue to overcome will be the availability of the infrastructure that will also bring about new possibilities through strategic technology development (V2G, load balancing, tourist complex infrastructure, city infrastructure, highway infrastructure, logistical networks, etc.). Naturally, a comprehensive approach is only possible if the subject is viewed not only through techno-economic models, but also through models that incorporate legislative limitations and incentives for the technology.

PANEL 3: Rise to the skies – New frontiers of EV technologies

Swift development in all aspects of the EV technologies enabled the implementation of contemporary conceptual solutions that aim at emphasizing their individual advantages. Electromobility concept is currently present in almost all transport sector activities, from personal vehicles, heavy duty vehicles, large transport vehicles, urban vehicle networks and local logistics networks, water transport, and ever so more air transport. Everybody can witness the rapid technological growth, where electromobility grew from barely ten to almost a thousand kilometers autonomy. In addition, the technological development made the driving much more interesting and incomparably safer through the implementation of vehicle information network, which is also a first (mandatory) step towards completely autonomous driving. Using the best available components, the dauntingly long charging procedures are reduced and framed almost in the same manner as in classical vehicles. With the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions, the concept of modern-day autonomous vehicles has been elevated to new heights with the impending integration with unmanned airborne vehicles (i.e. drones), whit application far exceeding even the boldest predictions. New hardware components facilitated the development of more efficient transportation systems, with increased loading capacity and unimaginable technology limitations. Certainly, software solutions in this field are continuously improved in order to satisfy the highest standards of reliability, while they simultaneously raise several other important questions. The issue of autonomous driving cannot be resolved without an in-depth discussion about the safety of information systems (cyber security), especially from the aspect of introducing artificial intelligence. A major concern related to the inclusion of artificial intelligence in the process of decision-making is also the question on programming a critical and ethical decision-making process, while solving for the formal and legal accountability conundrum. In order to move forward the technology it is necessary to understand what the current state of the technology is, what is the goal moving forward and where should be the final frontier (at least for the time being). Who and how will drive (person or a computer) the vehicle and where to are the central topics of this panel.

September 13th, 2024.

PANEL 1: Smart infrastructure for connected cities of the future

By reviewing the current trends of modern technologies and new technical solutions it is clear that almost all directions lead to a more efficient futuristic cities, established on mass integration of smart IoT and AI technologies. On the other hand, to fully integrate all (desired) advanced technologies smart cities will require a strong communication (primarily) and other high-performance infrastructure. Smart cities are sustainable, efficient, self-sufficient, independent, containing proprietary energy micro-system that can be connected with similar surrounding systems. Certainly, in order to improve the sustainability, it is necessary to adequately plan and implement new modern technological solutions, such as electrified transport, connecting infrastructural solutions, renewable energy technologies, high speed information and telecommunication infrastructure and many others. The end achievement would help greatly improve the quality of life in future settlements by reducing the air and noise pollution, while making the commute and other segments much simpler. Additionally, these solutions will enable the connection between different urban and rural areas leading to the diversification of available resources and more globally economically efficient use of energy in the future, thus creating the supporting pillars for environmentally friendly sustainable development in the future. Infrastructural support for mass switchover to electromobility concepts, especially electrical, hybrid and urban micro-mobility vehicles require special attention for integration in the power system but can also offer support for the grid through V2G concept of operation. Autonomous vehicles concept and vehicle information network require new services based on 5G communication. All these points will indubitably change the concept of living, while impose the use of modern technologies and services, particularly within the areas that are aiming towards smart city concept.

PANEL 2: The perspective shift – challenges in application of new mobility technologies

It is hard to imagine the integration of novel mobility technologies without the inherent public skepticism fueled by the current limitation that the technology may possess. With that in mind, there is an unavoidable question looming – are electrical vehicles today offering sufficient benefits to fulfill the requirements of every average user. It is clear that the EV technology comes hand in hand with futuristic solutions and resources that will elevate the digital pleasure of the operator to new heights, while simultaneously requiring the average drivers to change certain habits that are rooted in their very own consciousness. The future of the ecosystem will definitely depend on the technology handlers, requiring a thorough change in perspective through the education of future drivers in order to rise awareness how new EV technologies have the possibility to change their lifestyle. It is very important that potential users are familiar with all fields where electric vehicles have been established as the “new normal”, and in that respect, with existing types of EVs, where they can be used and how they are maintained. Moreover, some safety concerns that are naturally occurring need to be addressed, as well as future end-of-life services that may become available due to the nature of the technology.

PANEL 3: Opportunity or Panic?