Developing the Future Distribution Grid

Mr. Harri Salomäki is an innovative leader in electricity distribution industry, currently serving as the Head of Asset Management and Partnerships at Elenia, the second biggest DSO in Finland. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Harri is known for challenging the traditional ways of working.

Maddalena Pondini is covering the role of Decarbonization Strategy Advisory Expert in Siemens SI Building Sustainability. She supports clients in overcoming their unique sustainability challenges through initiatives that include strategic roadmap development, benchmarking, and continuous improvement processes. In parallel with her role at Siemens, Maddalena is currently taking an MBA in Sustainability Management at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität FAU, Erlangen. With 10 years of experience in the energy and utility industries, she brings a deep understanding of energy transition trends, spanning both the grid side and the consumer/prosumer landscape, combined with a strong customer-oriented mindset. Within Siemens she also covered the role of Product Manager in the Grid Software organization, where she contributed in shaping product strategies to address evolving customer demands and support future-proof grid management solutions. She holds a BSc and a MSc in Energy Engineering from Politecnico di Milano (Italy). She has a curious mindset and she is passionate about delivering customer value with innovative solutions to support the energy transition.

With relevant experience in the electricity sector, he has dedicated much of its activity to innovation, business development, technology and transformation, while actively contributing to the development of European energy policies and their practical translation into digital and smart grids and their contribution to a consumer and community-centred energy transition. He is currently Director of European Policies and Projects at E-REDES, the DSO in mainland Portugal, responsible for the coordination of European activities and funded projects. He is a board member of the EU DSO Entity, Vice-Chair of ETIP SNET, and an active member, since its foundation, of E.DSO (formerly EDSO for Smart Grids). He also actively participates in European forums and platforms related to the energy sector.

Mark Nigge-Uricher is a Senior Business Developer with extensive international experience in driving innovation and growth within the energy sector. Currently with Alliander, Mark specializes in system operations, collaboration, and digital transformation. Known for fostering collaboration, business venturing and implementing innovative solutions. Mark has previously been with Bosch.IO being responsible for energy management solutions and consulting on innovation in the Energy IoT domain.

Rune Hogga is an executive with extensive experience in the renewable energy sector. Since 2016, he has been the CEO of Å Energi Fleksibilitet AS, where he has successfully built a new business area focused on start-up companies and innovation projects within renewable energy. Currently, Rune serves as the Head of Flexibility at Å Energi, concentrating on fostering a culture of innovation and driving the digital transformation. With 17 years at the company, Rune has spent the last decade focusing on new business models to address the need for more flexibility in the power system. Rune has established an incubator for start-ups and is the co-founder of the local flexibility marketplace, Nodes. He has initiated several strategic partnerships and pilot projects with government funding, including the ongoing Euroflex project, which involves a significant portion of Norway's grid companies and over 30 flexibility service providers (FSPs). In 2018 Mr. Hogga and his team were awarded with "Innovative Star of Energy Efficiency" from Aliance to save energy in US. Previously, Rune served as the Director of Project Management for renewable infrastructure projects and has a background from the insurance industry. He has an undergraduate academic degree within Information Technology holds an Executive MBA from ESCP-Europe and has attended the top leadership program Solstrand at NHH/AFF. Å Energi is the largest vertically integrated power utility in Norway, operating across the entire value chain and being the third-largest hydro power producer in the country with 11.5 TWh of production. Å Energi have a strong presence in the Nordic region and expanding into the rest of Europe.

Carmen Gimeno is the Secretary General of GEODE, the European association representing the interests of 1200 private and public energy companies for both electricity and gas in 14 European countries. She is also a Managing Partner at Verdia Legal in Barcelona, where she has been working since 1995. Her expertise in energy law is built upon over 20 years of experience in this field. Ms Gimeno holds a Law degree from the University of Barcelona (1992). In 1993, she became a Member of the Bar Association of Barcelona. In the same year, she earned a postgraduate degree in Business Management Techniques at the Business Studies School of the University of Barcelona. She also studied Political Science and Sociology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and completed a study period within an Erasmus Programme at Ruprecht-Karls Universität in Heidelberg, Germany, specialising in International and Community Law (1990-1991).