The program of OFF-GRID Expo + Conference

welcome by Messe Augsburg, representatives of the Alliance for Renewable Electrification (ARE formerlyy known as: Alliance for Rural Electrification) – the official industry partner and official representatives of the OEC 2025.

• Mr. Lorenz A. Rau, Messe Augsburg
• Mr. Jens Jæger, Alliance for Rural Electrification

Keynote Opening:

• Mr. Robert Winkler, Bavarian State Ministry for the Environment and Consumer Protection

Moderation: Mr. Kevin Mwangi, GIZ and Yvonne Odhiambo
Speaker / Panelists:

• Remarks: H. E. Ms. Stella-Mokaya Orina, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to Germany
• Keynote: Mr. Alex Wachira, Principal Secretary for Energy, Ministry of Energy, Kenya
• Panel Discussion: Mr. Prof. Erastus Gatebe, Secretary, Industrialization, MITI
  Trade and Industry, Kenya
  Mr. Prof. Joseph Kamau, Head IEET, JKUAT
• Mr. Prof. AbuBakr Bahaj, Head of Energy and Climate Change Division, University Southampton (UK)
• Mr. Dr. Jeremiah Kiplagat, Director, IESR, KPLC

Description: The panel consists of key stakeholders, from government ministries, academia, ambassadors, to development agencies, and will discuss and exchange insights from the mobilization and coordinated actions undertaken by of Kenya to support its off-grid electrification ambitions. The panel will present a high-level discourse to highlight replicable progress that addressed persistent challenges fostering synergies for a Kenyan sustainable energy access by 2030.

Moderation: Mrs. Lucie König - German Water Partnership e.V.
Speakers (invited):

• Mr. Dr. Hamed Beheshti, Boreal Light
• Mr. Dr. Carsten Persner, GEMÜ Gebr. Müller Apparatebau GmbH & Co. KG
• Mr. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Vogl, goodmen energy GmbH

Description: The interplay between water and energy is essential for creating self-sufficient and sustainable infrastructures. In this session, German Water Partnership, together with partners from industry and practice, will explore the challenges and potential of this nexus. Participants will gain insights into innovative German technologies and forward-looking projects from water treatment for hydrogen electrolyzers, heat from river water and solar seawater desalination. These examples showcase the broad expertise of the German Water industry and the many ways water can be harnessed and used to meet global needs. Join us in discussing how technological synergies connect global goals such as SDG 6 (Clean Water) and SDG 7 (Renewable Energy) in practice. The session will feature ideas and practical examples from water treatment for hydrogen electrolyzers, heat from river water and solar seawater desalination. These broad topics are intended to illustrate the wide range of areas covered by the German water industry and the many different ways in which water is used.

This conference session is organized by the German Water Partnership e.V.

Moderation: Mr. Ulf-Peter Noetzel - German African Business Association
Speaker/Panelists:

• Mr. Eng. Isaac Kiva, Secretary of State Renewable Energy Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Republic of Kenya
• Mrs. Katja Tauchnitz, CEI Africa
• Mr. Ralph Schneider, EWIA Green Investments
• Mr. Christian Etzel, FIB Frankfurt International Bank AG
• Mrs. Xenia Rebsam, Off-Grid Europe GmbH

Description: What is feasible? What is challenging? And where are the opportunities? A discussion on off-grid financing that highlights the [untapped] potential in Africa.

Bringing reliable, sustainable power to off-grid communities is essential for development, yet financing these projects remains a major challenge. High upfront costs, uncertain revenue streams, and limited access to credit create significant barriers for investors and developers alike. Policy instability, data gaps, and perceptions of high risk further complicate efforts to mobilize private capital. This panel will bring together a variety of financing experts to explore innovative financing models, risk-mitigation tools, and enabling policies. Join us for a reality check and discussion on how to unlock the investment needed to scale off-grid energy in Africa.

This conference session is organized by the German African Business Association and moderated by Ulf-Peter Noetzel, who has been a Senior Policy Advisor at the German-African Business Association since 2022. He brings his expertise to the association’s Working Group on Financing and serves as the host of the podcast AFRICast Business.

Moderation: Mr. Peter Renner - Foundation Development and Climate Alliance
Speaker/Panelists:

• Mrs. Karin Jeanneret Vezzini, ennos ag
• Mr. Nitin Akhade, Customized Energy Solutions
• Mr. Mahlon Walo, Afrinet Carbon Ltd/Carbon Markets Association of Kenya (CAMAK)
• Mr. Wilfred Boerrigter, Tamarso Minigrids

Description: Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) systems are not only essential for expanding energy access, but they also offer measurable climate benefits that can be translated into carbon credits. This session explores how DRE solutions can unlock new streams of climate finance by reducing emissions in hard-to-reach, off-grid regions while also focusing on various platforms or companies offering such services. However, while the potential is significant, real-world implementation reveals challenges around financing, aggregation, and the technical complexity of monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV). Speakers in this session will discuss emerging models, tools, and partnerships that aim to make carbon markets more accessible and equitable for small and medium DRE enterprises. Attendees will gain insights into how the carbon economy can help scale decentralised solutions as it contributes to both climate mitigation and local development.

Moderation: Mr. Prof. Dr. Frank-Martin Belz, Director TUM SEED Center
Speaker/Panelists:

• Mr. Eng. Kihara Mungai, Renewable Energy, Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), Kenya
• Mrs. Mukabanji Mutanuka, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), Zambia
• Mr. Prashant Pant, Doctoral Candidate & Research Coordinator in Renewable Energies, TUM SEED Center
• Mrs. Dr. Betty Nabuuma,  MAK-TUM SEED Center

Description: This panel explores strategies to scale the impact of decentralized renewable energy solutions - particularly mini-grids and productive use of energy (PUE) applications—in the Global South. Drawing from insights across SEED Center Living Labs in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the session will highlight real-world interventions that catalyze local enterprise development, enhance livelihoods, and promote energy access beyond basic lighting. Panelists will discuss scalable models, financing mechanisms, and policy enablers that bridge the gap between energy supply and economic demand—offering actionable pathways to achieve SDGs 7 and 8.

This conference session is organized by the TUM Seed Center (Technical University of Munich).

Moderation: Mrs. Mélodie de l'Epine - Becquerel Institute
Speaker/Panelists:

• Mr. Gilles Bouder, HDF Energy
• Mr. Stuart Davies, ORPC
• Mr. Jonathan Mira, Enviroearth
• Mr. Florian Breipohl, EnerKíte Airborne Wind Energy Converters
• Mr. Mikel Valderrama, Cegasa Energia S.L.U.

Description: Islands face unique energy challenges such as high dependence on costly diesel imports, exposure to climate volatility, and limited grid infrastructure. Yet, they also represent ideal testbeds for innovative decentralised energy systems. This session will explore how cutting-edge off-grid technologies like DRE mini-grids, green hydrogen, airborne wind energy, and small-scale hydrokinetic power are converging with battery storage and hybrid mini-grids to offer stable, low-carbon electricity for island communities. Drawing on real-world experiences from the Caribbean to the Pacific and beyond, speakers will discuss the technical, economic, and social dimensions of island electrification. Attendees will gain insights into how clean energy solutions can enhance energy independence, build resilience, and drive long-term sustainability in some of the world’s most vulnerable yet promising energy markets.

Moderation: Mr. Nico Peterschmidt - INENSUS GmbH
Speaker/Panelists:

• Mrs. Xenia Rebsam, Off-Grid Europe GmbH
• Mr. Dr.- Ing. Joachim Koschikowski, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems
• Mr. Carlos Vila Ruidavets, 247 Solar Inc.
• Mr. Ibrahim Mussa, AG Energies Co Ltd.
• Mrs. Alexandra Hamel, SkySails Power GmbH

Description: The Commercial and Industrial (C&I) sector plays a vital role in driving economic growth across emerging markets, yet many businesses still rely on unreliable grids or diesel generators to power critical operations. This session explores how decentralised renewable energy (DRE) technologies are transforming energy access for C&I actors. With innovations in battery storage, modular solar heating, cooling and energy generation systems, and self-sufficient infrastructure platforms, decentralised solutions are proving their ability to deliver clean, stable, and cost-effective energy for productive use. Speakers will showcase how these technologies not only reduce emissions and costs, but also support local development by adding value in various demand side sectors like healthcare, agriculture, telecom, mining, e-mobility, etc. This ensures access to energy and economic resilience while demonstrating that the transition to sustainable energy can be both commercially viable and socially transformative.

Moderation: Mrs. Avia Linke - Reiner Lemoine Institut gGmbH 
Speaker/Panelists:

• Mr. Grietus Mulder, VITO
• Mr. Johannes Winklmaier, SEED Himalaya
• Mrs. Geraldine Quelle, Phaesun GmbH
• Mr. Thomas Bonicel, Schneider Electric Industries SAS
• Ms. Dr. Georgia Badelt, GeoCode International GmbH
• Mr. Marco Honsberg, EMPO-NI
• Mr. Marc de Laporte, Kites for Future Flugwindkraftanlagen GmbH

Description: Access to electricity with off-grid renewable energy projects is not only about lighting homes but it’s also about powering opportunity to bring about a positive socio-economic impact. This session explores how productive use of renewable energy (PURE) is transforming livelihoods in the rural and off-grid areas, particularly in agriculture, food systems, health and transportation services. From solar-powered cold storage and irrigation to mobile health units and clean cooking innovations, speakers will present scalable, inclusive models based on their projects that enable communities to generate income, increase resilience, and reduce dependence on fossil fuel powered generation systems. The session will also dive into key lessons on the viability of different business models, the importance of end-user engagement, and how energy access can catalyse broader socio-economic development when integrated with local value chains and tailored infrastructure.

A short wrap up and closing of the OEC 2025 by Mr. Deepak Mohapatra (ARE).

The Climate Smart Village (CSV) is a decentralized, solar-powered ecosystem designed to transform rural livelihoods through productive use of renewable energy. Anchored in Schneider Electric’s Access to Energy strategy, the CSV model integrates IoT-enabled smart power management with community-centric infrastructure to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable electricity to underserved regions.

Held by: Mr. Thomas Bonicel, Access to Energy Commercial Director, Middle East Africa & South America

News, easy system setup, monitoring & NODE-Red

In this year’s product training session Bob Hopmann will go through Victron Energy news (components & software), explain system setup with VictronConnect, monitoring and he’ll explain what advantages NODE-Red can offer.

Held by: Bob Hopman, Sales Manager DACH

What‘s the Phase? >> Smart transitions between On-Grid, Hybrid &Off-Grid

The answer to…

• Blurred boundaries between grid-tied and independent systems
• Hybrid technologies replacing single components
• The question: when is a system truly “off-grid”?
• The need for resilience and smart energy use
• ...Unlocking Potential

As self-consumption and backup PV systems evolve, this hands-on training explores the technical and economic balance between grid-connected, hybrid, and fully independent systems. Learn how to advise customers, retrofit or maintain systems, and make smart use of energy surpluses — with or without grid connection. With Kenya as this year’s partner country, we’ll also highlight insights from the fast-growing solar cooling sector, where off-grid innovation expands cold chains and enables new local value creation. Ideal for: installers and tradespeople seeking practical know-how in hybrid, storage, and off-grid technologies.

Held by: Manuel Willhaus, Project Sales Engineer, Florian Martini, Project Manager

Unlock New Opportunities in Decentralised Renewable Energy

For nearly two decades, the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) has earned the trust of its members and partners to become the leading international industry association dedicated to advancing decentralised renewable energy (DRE) solutions worldwide.

Join the ARE Membership Services Training Session during the OFF-GRID Expo + Conference to gain a comprehensive understanding of ARE’s mission, the value it brings to the sector, and how it can support your organisation in reaching its business and market development goals across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.

ARE champions the energy access for all and global clean energy transition efforts by actively working to improve market conditions, expand electricity access, create jobs, and address climate challenges. With a network of over 200 members, ARE provides tailored support through:

• Business and Market Development
• Policy and Advocacy
• Capacity building Communications and Marketing

Join this session to drive your business forward in the off-grid renewable energy space by maximising the benefits of ARE membership by becoming part of a global movement shaping the future of sustainable energy.

Held by: Deepak Mohapatra, Senior Officer

ComAp will show the technical possibilities to connect and operate different power sources like PV, Battery Storage Systems and Gensets for seamless transfers between ON- und OFF-Grid operation including Mains export/import control.

Therefore, ComAp will give an introduction into the Battery Energy Storage Controllers InteliNEO 530 BESS and the hybrid microgrid controller InteliNEO 6000.

Held by: Matthias Voloder, Sales Manager

Perfect for installers and system planners: Gain practical insights into planning off-grid systems that utilize heat as smart energy storage. Explore efficient off-grid heating solutions powered by PV-energy:

• Domestic hot water
• Electric space heating

Session highlights – my-PV product categories:

• AC Products: AC•THOR and AC ELWA 2 operate on the AC side of off-grid systems, using frequency shift for intelligent power control. Maximize self-consumption – even without a grid connection
• DC Products: SOL•THOR and ELWA connect directly to PV panels, enabling fully self-sufficient operation without inverters. Achieve fully independent heating, simply and reliably.

Held by: Tallal Majeed Butt, International Sales or Markus Gundendorfer, Head of Sales DACH

Introduction to patent fostering and to legal patent circumvention

There are various ways to solve a problem and achieve the desired result. One possibility is to proceed systematically in the search for patents that have already solved the identified problem. The difficulty here is that the patent may grant a property right that cannot simply be copied and used for one's own purposes. The TRIZ toolbox offers help here. This same methodology can as well be used to foster own patent ideas to make the more resilient against circumvention buy competitors.

The presentation will give an introduction to the applied methodology.

Held by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Oliver Mayer, Head of Energy and Construction