Energy practitioners, policy makers and science researchers will come together to share their knowledge on the challenges the energy industry is facing and its future prospects at an event next month.

Hosted by the Erasmus Centre for Future Energy Business, the ‘Erasmus Energy Forum: Reinventing the Energy Landscape’ event will cover topics such as smart energy grids, smart homes and e-mobility and will be held in Rotterdam on Friday, 21st June 2013.

Energy Live News Editor Sumit Bose will be hosting the event and key speakers include Volker Beckers, former CEO of npower, Dr Jochen Kreusel, Head of Smart Grids at ABB and Ir. Huib Morelisse, CEO of Nuon.

Dr Wolf Ketter, Conference Chairman and Director of the Erasmus Centre for Future Energy Business at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (pictured) said: “Energy production will become much more sustainable and decentralised – that is clear. Examples are residential wind turbines and solar panels.

“But the biggest challenge we’re now looking at is how best to bring balance to supply and demand and create greater reliability and consistency in the energy supply. The beauty of the Forum is that for the first time, we will get answers from the perspectives of management, ICT, consumer behaviour, energy production and politics.”

The Forum will also see the presentation of the first Erasmus Energy Business Award for the best innovative and sustainable energy concept or business model. The winner will be able to pitch their idea on stage and a donation of €2,500 will be given to the United Nations Fund for Energy & Climate on behalf of the winner. The first Erasmus Energy Science Award for research will also be presented, with the winner taking home a prize of €1,000.

Nominations for both the awards can still be made up to 3rd June 2013.