One of the speakers and participants was Dr. Dirk Scheer from the KIT Institute for Technology Assessment and System Analysis. We obtained feedback from him on which contents were particularly exciting and how well the digital preparation succeeded.

KIT Business Club: Mr. Scheer, the development of a sustainable and at the same time stable energy system is a central economic and social challenge for the coming years. At the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), energy is one of the focal points of research. We were able to present an excerpt of important partial aspects at the "Energy Systems for the Future" theme day. Which of the content-related components did you find particularly exciting and important?

Dirk Scheer: As an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary social scientist at KIT, I am particularly interested in the interface between technology and politics, economy, and society. A deeper understanding of technology innovations is indispensable here. Learning about the current state of science from KIT on electrochemical storage, modern electricity- and biomass-based fuels, and the role of digitalization in tying together a climate-compatible energy system was a real added value. Since I am currently working on sector coupling in the energy system, this detailed knowledge of the technology helps me immensely.

KIT Business Club: The KIT Business Club acts as a communication platform between industry and science. Why is cooperation at this interface important for you and what added value does a network with companies offer you for this purpose?

Dirk Scheer: Research on technology, technology consequences, and social embedding is research for society. It should not and must not function as ivory tower science, but must build bridges to the everyday world at an early stage. Discussions and exchanges with company representatives are very important here. On the one hand, technology research in particular is not only carried out in academia, but also takes the form of close exchanges between research institutions and R&E departments in the corporate world. On the other hand, especially in discussions with company representatives, it is important to sound out the various opportunities and obstacles of new technologies and thus to introduce accompanying measures at an early stage.

KIT Business Club: Digital formats offer advantages and disadvantages. The current theme day was our first major digital event. Were you also able to gain important ideas by digital means and what was your overall impression of the event and its execution?

Dirk Scheer: Well, the pandemic showed us what was almost unthinkable before - to completely digitize our everyday program with desk work and diverse travel and on-site meetings. As a result, we have almost no loss in our work content during this difficult time. Just the digital format allows a greater degree of listening, concentration and with that you definitely take away more content. And here this event was again a proof that it can be planned and executed very well. Nevertheless: After the long time, one naturally longs for personal meetings again. After all, it's the informal break conversations that are really important. And the digital format has not yet provided a solution for this.

The KIT Business Club would like to thank all speakers and participants for the exciting impulses and valuable discussions. We look forward to the conversations on this important topic that will build on them.