MCI recently welcomed a respected leader in the renewable energy sector to Innsbruck. As CEO of the international shareholder and partner network of Dii (Desertec Industrial Initiative), Cornelius Matthes has made it his mission to drive the energy transition and pioneer the field of energy from the deserts - the goal: leading the world to 100% renewable energy.
A lively moderated discussion with questions from the audience made for an exciting exchange.
© MCI/Heimerl
Matthes and his network are focusing the energy transition on energy generation and storage using wind and solar power as well as hydrogen, and therefore not just on decarbonization, but defossilization. He clearly states: "Our mission: no emissions!". It is essential to avoid greenwashing and to enter into international partnerships that are important for Europe. "We see ourselves as a kind of network of networks - that puts us in a relatively unique position in the market."
Dii already works with partners from 35 countries and the topic of green energy from the desert has become a global topic. One partial result is already impressive: "Within just a few years, we have achieved a major revolution in grid flexibility. Nobody would have thought it possible that the cost per KWh of photovoltaic electricity from the desert could be reduced from 10 cents to 1 cent by 2050."
In order to achieve the necessary energy security in Europe, Matthes believes that, in addition to pure energy partnerships, a strong commitment must also be made to stability in the producing countries, "so we are talking about partnerships on many different levels". The CEO of Dii believes that a CO2 pricing system is clearly a decisive factor and sees such a system as an indirect subsidy for energy transition projects, which would dramatically accelerate progress towards the goal of zero emissions.
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Cornelius Matthes has built several successful companies and start-ups in the clean energy sector in the Middle East and Africa and has been active in several leading organizations and associations. With the international shareholder and partner network of Dii (Desertec Industrial Initiative), he is now at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution. What was once a platform designed to promote confidence in promising sustainable energy projects has now become an independent, credible and completely technology-neutral think tank.
As an enthusiastic entrepreneur and investor in emerging markets with awards such as "Solar Pioneer 2015" for the Middle East, he teaches at several universities, including St. Gallen, and is a regular speaker at international conferences.
The management and boards of various companies in the field of zero-emission technologies as well as investment funds seek his advice.
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