#United4EU

Meet Torben

Why are climate and diversity intersecting emergencies?

This climate crisis is a global issue. It concerns all of us. Multiple points of view should, therefore, be considered to ensure an efficient and sustainable transitional process. Sectors, countries, ages, genders: By being united in our diversity, we will move forward. None of us can manage alone; or as we did – we need to renew ourselves. On top of this, it’s key to keep in mind that energy systems are becoming each day more and more complex, integrated and innovative. And sector coupling will play an increasing role in that regard. Knowledge and understanding between the two “silos” (gas and electricity) are, therefore, of prime importance. In fact, it is the chore of Energinet’s strategy as we are an integrated gas-electricity infrastructure company. We have power TSO, gas TSO, Gas storage, Registry for GOs, and extensive data infrastructure/data. This diversity in terms of infrastructure is an asset to best support the EU in enhancing decarbonisation and strengthening the security of supply.

How do equity, diversity and inclusivity in the gas infrastructure business contribute to Europe’s security of supply and decarbonisation goals?

Energinet cannot manage to deliver on the 2030 or 2050 targets without being more diverse, more inclusive and working more in partnerships. We need to brainstorm within the whole energy sector to get better and develop more innovative ideas for future markets, value chains, solutions etc.

Collaboration at the global level represents a tremendous source of inspiration. Energinet work in around 40 countries. It’s key to share knowledge and good practices from other countries to speed up our (national) transition. Decarbonisation is a global task. It should therefore apply an “outside-in” perspective to get good ideas from abroad into our company. Into our solutions.

We apply this openness in multiple projects. A good example of that is Energinet’s “Open source”. This initiative consists in developing IT systems as open source so that everyone can see our codes. One example is how we integrate intermittent wind/sun into our dispatching and balancing markets. It is a win/win situation: everyone can copy them and save time. Everyone can improve the codes and thus have us save time. We need to allow for creative out-of-the-box ideas to be assessed to enable an agile, innovative approach. Some of the ideas turn out bad, and we learn from that. But other ideas become the major changes in the transition.

What solutions have you implemented to foster a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce?

Energinet has a strategy to ensure diversity. It tackles gender, country, age, skills, and different backgrounds. On gender, we have internal targets to improve the gender balance. Our company is growing. Each year, we welcome 20% of Energinet’s staff in plus. And that represents a great opportunity to use those diversity parameters when hiring.

To give you an example, we have agreed to avoid applicants for new positions to mention their origin, age, gender or family relations in their applications. Thus, all are treated equally.

Another point which can help fuel a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce is the “free seating” policy. Energinet has introduced a 100% “flexible workplace”, where the employees can decide where the daily work is done – At work or at home? Naturally, you cannot always stay home! That means no one has a fixed desk or office, even the CEO. It offers the opportunity for everyone to meet, exchange and gain flexibility. Everyone can sit and work in different teams and projects. And you can live long away from work, as you only “come in” two, three or four days per week.

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Meet Olga

Olga Bielkova joined the management team of Gas TSO of Ukraine LLC in In June 2020 where she is responsible for promoting and protecting the interests of GTSOU in the international arena and among key regulatory bodies.

Previously Member of Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine), three terms 2012-2020: Member of the Verkhovna Rada’s Committee on Finance, tax and customs policy (2019-2020); Deputy Head of the Verkhovna Rada’s Committee on Fuel and Energy Complex, Nuclear Policy and Nuclear Safety; Permanent Member of the Ukrainian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE (2014-2019); Member of the Verkhovna Rada’s Committee on Finance and Banking (2012-2014).

Throughout the years, Olga has been building her expertise in the following Public Policy focus areas: energy reform and creation of competitive energy markets; unification of energy prices at a market level; transition to more efficient subsidies for energy consumers; establishing an independent energy regulator; ensuring full transparency of the energy sector; fiscal regime improvement for the energy sector; simplification and unification of the regulatory framework for the oil and gas producers; SOE efficiency; improvement of energy SOE’ corporate governance; national energy security, energy independence and diversification of energy suppliers; banking sector reform, digitalisation of Ukraine, gender issues.

Olga holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, a law degree from the Kyiv Shevchenko National University and a degree in economics from the Cherkasy State Engineering University.

How is #United4EU reflected in your work?

Today, we see how the mantra United for Europe is expanded through the position “United for Ukraine”. “United around Ukraine”. As Gas TSO of Ukraine, we experience extraordinary solidarity and support from European companies, organisations, and authorities. Today, in challenging times in the energy sphere, all European countries and businesses are united in overcoming current challenges, especially when it comes to reducing dependence on Russian gas and stabilising gas markets. You would think that each of us is doing it out of self-interest, but this is one of the practical ways to convert the mantra into something useful and pragmatic. Becoming fully independent from Russian gas supplies will be only achieved unitedly when all European countries work together.

How is your company acting in those challenging times?

As Gas TSO, we can only support other countries and market players to pass smoothly during that period of transformation. We offer capacity and continue our business regardless of our own struggles.

Ukraine is committed to open, transparent gas market rules and principles of European solidarity, coming to liberal gas market reform back in 2015. Once the war is over, we will continue the market development according to European regulations, integrating further into the EU.

What does your company implement to support a more diverse, inclusive equitable energy system?

Despite the war and core business related to conventional fossil fuels, we currently make great efforts to foster the development of renewable gases, especially biomethane, to contribute to the decarbonisation and energy transition in Ukraine and Europe. We will continue doing everything possible and beyond to support Europe in gaining independence from Russian energy resources.

What are your recommendations for the energy sector?

First, Europe must achieve energy independence: get alternatives to the Russian gas supply, develop the direction of decarbonisation (biomethane, hydrogen), and reduce the consumption of gases. Second, Ukraine has the potential to help obtain this goal in each segment of the plan. We have gas deposits, we are a promising producer of biomethane, and we have powerful gas storage facilities. My call is to do business with Ukraine to strengthen EU energy security. It will help both Ukraine and Europe to win the war on the energy front.

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Meet Bastian

Dr. Bastian Lang is a Gascade Asset Management and comes from Germany. During his career, Bastian held different positions, which enabled him to deepen his expertise in security, regulatory affairs and methane emissions management. (2011 Environment, Health and Safety Manager – Security concepts, Since 2013 Regulatory Affairs Specialist – Regulatory support for investment decisions, Since 2016 Asset Management Specialist. He contributed to the development and implementation of a company-wide strategy to monitor, report and mitigate methane emissions and also fostered international activities regarding methane regulation, which led him to become Senior expert on methane emissions at GASCADE.

What does “#United4EU” evoke for you?  

BL: “United4EU means having a common goal for Europe as a society and working on it together as a team.”

Why does reducing emissions matter to you? What are you doing about it?
BL: “I have children, and I am responsible for them. I wanted to have a bright future for them. Therefore, I try to make things a little bit better. I try to push my company to do a bit more than necessary, which my company has welcomed in many cases in the past. I personally am working a lot from home, using public transportation and so on.”

Why are diversity, equity and inclusivity important for the mission of reducing methane emissions?

BL: “I think different people are necessary to develop the best solution, which will be a compromise! The impact of methane tackles us all, and therefore all voices are needed.”

Many people think methane emissions are not always the most attractive task. Why should the next generations work on this matter?
How is the industry making the topic attractive for minorities?

BL: “This is not the sexiest topic, I know. Nevertheless, I have encountered great people from all around the world working on this topic. Due to the actual situation (things are moving really fast on the topic of methane, new regulation, OGMP2,0), we have become a very strong team. We are friends now, and we help each other on that topic. This is, for me, what makes the topic sexy. But we all have in mind to reduce the emissions the best way possible, and this is attractive, because for the companies and also for us as a society it is mandatory! All the different people can make the future better, and this should attract all people in the upcoming year, we will look at H2 with the same focus but different approaches.”

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