ETN Global insights on user-driven pathways for successful energy transition

On 5 September 2025, ETN Global’s Managing Director, Christer Björkqvist, delivered a presentation at the Millennium Clean & Sustainable Power Workshop 2025, hosted by the University of Genoa. During Plenary Session 4: “Sustainable Energy Technologies, Inspiring the Future”, he shared user-driven insights on how turbomachinery can support a secure and affordable energy transition.

Björkqvist emphasised that there is no single solution capable of delivering the clean, reliable, and affordable power system we all aspire to. Instead, the future relies on a balanced mix of technologies and a pragmatic approach that embraces both innovation and the optimisation of existing assets.

He highlighted the crucial need for flexibility, especially as variable renewables continue to expand at unprecedented speed. Since dispatchable power generation is essential for system stability, the turbomachinery user-community is focused on leveraging current infrastructure. While many assets are nearing their end-of-life, they hold tremendous untapped potential. With targeted retrofits, improved digitalisation, and greater fuel flexibility, these existing assets can significantly reduce emissions while supporting grid resilience during the energy transition.

Björkqvist also called for two crucial steps: strong international collaboration to accelerate the readiness of new technologies and build the vital CO₂ and hydrogen infrastructure; and stable, supportive policy frameworks that adequately value flexible and hybrid solutions capable of ensuring both energy security and decarbonisation.

As always, ETN Global’s message was clear: user-driven, international cooperation is one of the most powerful tools available to shape a sustainable and reliable energy future.