Game-Changing Utilities of the Future, Presented by SAP

The buzz: “Imagine a world in which nothing gets thrown away. It’s about much more than just recycling” (Shane Ferro, 05/12/16). The circular economy is gaining traction and awareness, as evident in the recent announcement of a €24 billion EU Circular Economy Package. It’s an attractive concept, promising the efficient (re-)use of resources and a strong business case. However, many companies are challenged to turn the potential into practice. How to apply the concept to individual operations and resource streams? The experts speak. Michaela “Ela” Rose, Forum for the Future: “A system must consist of 3 kinds of things: elements, interconnections, and a function or purpose. Changing elements usually has the least effect on the system” (Donella Meadows). Raik Kulinna, SAP: “Life, however short, is made shorter by waste of time” (Samuel Johnson). James McClelland, SAP: “Waste not, want not” (“Topper Takes a Trip”). Join us for The Circular Economy: Creating Resourceful Business Models.

The buzz: “The thing I lose patience with the most is the clock. Its hands move too fast” (T. Edison). Lamplighters were made obsolete by the emergence of electricity. Utilities now face new disruption, with digitization impacting their aging workforce and how they work. Utilities have two choices: continue the well-worn path until the road runs out, or innovatively pave the way for a new future. The experts speak. James McClelland, SAP: “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything” (G.B.Shaw). Garrett Grooms, Metropolitan Utilities District: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different result” (A. Einstein). Nicholas Mauldin, OpenText: “As the Internet of things advances, the very notion of a clear dividing line between reality and virtual reality becomes blurred, sometimes in creative ways” (Geoff Mulgan). Join us for Utilities Work and Digitization: How We Do Work–Part 1.

The buzz: “Consumers do not necessarily want to know how blockchain, specifically, benefits them. They just want to know that their power will stay on regardless of who it comes from and ... the correct amount of electricity used was billed” (Seyi Fabode). Blockchain is a potential major disruptor for the energy industry. Applications are being explored globally and a new ecosystem of energy startups is emerging. There is no defined limit to which this technology may be leveraged to provide solutions to problems persisting in various industries. Imagination is the only barrier. The experts speak. Stuart Ravens, Navigant: “There will always be rocks in the road ahead of us. They will be stumbling blocks or stepping stones; it all depends on how you use them” (Friedrich Nietzsche). Henry Bailey, SAP: “I’m reasonably confident that the blockchain will change a great deal of financial practice and exchange” (Larry Summers). Join us for Blockchain and Utilities: And The Impact, Please?

The buzz: “From alternative fuels to electric vehicles, smart cities depend on smarter movement of people and goods” (www.bv.com). Ah, smart cities! What makes them tick? Many innovative scenarios of digital transformation are utilities-based municipal waste and environmental services such as electric mobility, smart grids, and smart bins. But many cities are challenged to turn potential into practice. Five pillars to consider: citizen experience omni-channel; harness assets and IoT; smarter and engaged workforces; accelerate growth innovation; re-platform core business processes. The experts speak. Milke Eberhardt, SAP: “Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. The best is yet to come” (Zig Ziglar). Raik Kulina, SAP: “That’s been one of my mantras—focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex” (Steve Jobs). Joerg Ferchow, SAP: “The people are the city” (Shakespeare, Coriolanus). Join us for Smart Cities: Digital Engagement of Citizens and Municipal Utilities.