Simona Rossetti is Senior VP of Europe and Africa for Controls and Digitalization at Siemens Energy. She supports all European and African customers with tailored sustainable solutions for servicing and decarbonizing their portfolio to secure energy supply and achieve CO2 reduction goals, and we explored together, in the article down below, her perspective on transforming organizations, empowering people, and driving innovation to accelerate the transition to the energy of tomorrow.
🗺️ The journey towards decarbonization
From my point of view, the biggest challenges facing the energy sector in its journey towards decarbonization are the following: the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change, the increase of renewable and storage capabilities, the management of the intermittent renewable energy sources as well as getting the energy infrastructure modernized and expanded.
As an integrated energy technology company working with partners across the whole energy landscape, we know our transition to a more sustainable energy system is both complex and challenging. But step by step, we’re getting there. And these are the five action areas where we’re making progress every day in enabling our customers to deliver energy resilience.
Expanding renewables
Transforming conventional power
Strengthening electrical grids
Driving industrial decarbonization
Securing the supply chain and necessary minerals
In my specific business area, we are working on digital solutions to accelerate the decarbonization journey in the energy sector. Digitalization can contribute to decarbonization in several ways: First, digital technologies offer the possibility to make energy production more efficient. That means that you can produce the same amount of electricity with less fuel and less emissions. Secondly, digitalization helps to integrate renewable energy sources into the grid by managing power flows, balancing supply and demand, and optimizing energy storage.
For example, digital control systems can help manage the intermittency of solar and wind power by predicting energy output and adjusting supply accordingly. As a third point integrated data management supports decarbonization. Integrating operations and engineering data enables engineers to do their jobs more efficiently, while data scientists and modelers use this integrated data to predict the future. Yet data scientists spend 45% of their time analyzing data and 15-20% visualizing it. Imagine if you could automate that effort using live data and analytics that span your entire industrial lifecycle. This process is happening now for the leading companies that are using insights to unlock new opportunities to decarbonize.
Overall, digitalization can enable the optimization of energy and resource use, reduce fuel consumption, and promote sustainable practices, contributing to decarbonization efforts.
In my opinion, the Energy Transition needs the power of data to succeed.
🏭 Innovation within energy organizations
Leading multicultural teams can make a substantial contribution to fostering innovation and excellence. Diversity, in all its forms, brings a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and talents to the table. Here's my view on how diversity can foster innovation and excellence in energy organizations.
Diverse Perspectives
Multicultural teams encompass individuals from various backgrounds, and cultures, and with different life experiences. These diverse perspectives can lead to more creative problem-solving and the generation of novel ideas. In the energy sector, complex challenges demand innovative solutions, and a wide range of viewpoints is an asset that you may need. Solving the climate change challenge requires a diversity of perspectives. We need more ideas, and a diversity of thoughts to be able to create new ways to tackle this challenge.
Enhanced Problem-Solving
Energy organizations often deal with multifaceted issues, such as sustainable energy production, grid management, and environmental concerns. Diverse teams are better at dissecting these challenges and developing comprehensive solutions by considering a wider range of potential impacts and outcomes.
Adaptability
The energy sector is rapidly evolving with new technologies and regulations, and the energy transition demands a transformative mindset. Multicultural teams tend to be more adaptable and open to change because they are accustomed to different perspectives and approaches. This adaptability can be a competitive advantage in a constantly shifting landscape.
Cultural Competence
Multicultural teams enhance an organization's ability to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, including international partners and local communities. This cultural competence can help energy organizations like Siemens Energy navigate global markets, regulatory environments, and community relations more effectively. In my team, for example, I have people coming from different countries in Europe and Africa. And I can tell you, this mix is brilliant! As a global company, it's crucial for us to understand the needs and preferences of diverse customer bases. Multicultural teams can provide valuable insights into market opportunities and help design more inclusive and effective products and services.
Talent Attraction and Retention
Energy organizations that foster diversity tend to attract a wider pool of talent. When individuals from various backgrounds see that an organization values and promotes diversity, they are more likely to be attracted to and remain committed to that organization. This can lead to a stronger and more skilled workforce.
Innovation and Excellence
When diverse teams collaborate effectively, they are more likely to produce innovative solutions and achieve excellence in their work. Different perspectives, ideas, and experiences contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and advancement.
In conclusion, leading multicultural teams in energy organizations like Siemens Energy can drive innovation and excellence by capitalizing on the unique strengths that diversity offers. By promoting a culture of inclusion and embracing the value of different backgrounds and perspectives, energy organizations can position themselves to excel in a rapidly changing and competitive industry.
🗣️ Some advice for the young energy professionals
The energy industry is continually evolving, with advancements in technology, changes in regulations, and shifting market dynamics. The transformation we are currently undergoing is massive! To thrive and make a meaningful difference, it's essential to stay informed and adaptable. Here's why lifelong learning is crucial.
Stay Current with Industry Trends: Lifelong learning enables you to stay updated on the latest developments in the energy sector, including emerging technologies, innovative practices, and evolving market conditions.
Adapt to Change: The energy industry is in a state of transformation, driven by the need for sustainability and environmental responsibility. Continuous learning allows you to adapt to new paradigms and seize opportunities presented by changes.
Expand Your Skill Set: New challenges often require new skills. By actively seeking knowledge and acquiring new skills, you become a more versatile and valuable professional.
Problem-Solving: The energy industry faces complex and multifaceted problems. Lifelong learning equips you with the tools and insights needed to tackle these challenges effectively.
Personal Growth: Lifelong learning benefits both your career and personal growth. It keeps your mind engaged, expands your horizons, and fosters a sense of accomplishment.
Environmental and Social Impact: Energy professionals play a significant role in addressing environmental and social challenges. If you want and believe in what you are doing, you can make a significant positive impact on our world.
In the dynamic and critical field of energy, those who commit to ongoing learning are more likely to make a lasting and positive impact. So, my advice to aspiring energy professionals is to make learning a continuous part of your career journey and remain curious and adaptable as you work toward your goals.
📰 Staying up to date
Staying informed about the ever-evolving trends in energy and digitalization and using this knowledge to create and develop my strategy involves active learning, staying informed, networking, and adaptability. As I mentioned before, I believe in continuous learning: I actively seek learning opportunities, including online courses, workshops, webinars, and industry conferences. Learning is a routine part of my professional development.
I also make use of subscriptions to industry-specific publications, journals, and newsletters. These sources often provide insights into the latest trends, research findings, and case studies in the energy and digitalization sectors. I also explore trends in other sectors, like the medical and telecommunications sectors. Often, what I observe there anticipates developments in the energy industry.
Networking is also key. I connect with peers, colleagues, and experts in my field through social media, professional networks like LinkedIn, and local industry events. Engaging with professionals from diverse backgrounds is exposing me to a wide range of perspectives and insights.
In Siemens Energy, we collaborate with professionals from diverse backgrounds within the company, which provides me with valuable insights into best practices and innovative solutions that I can apply in my field.
With my direct management team, I periodically review and update our strategic plans and initiatives and we incorporate the latest trends and insights. Flexibility and adaptability are key to ensuring that my strategy remains relevant in a dynamic environment.
By staying informed, embracing a learning mindset, and fostering innovation, I aim to position my organization better for success in a rapidly changing landscape, drive the energy transition, and make a positive impact on the world.
Siemens Energy is and will continue to play a crucial role in shaping and creating the “energy of tomorrow”. We want to drive the change and create a positive impact on the biggest challenge of our times: the energy transition!
⚡ Siemens Energy and its input
Siemens Energy is one of the world’s leading energy technology companies. We work with customers and partners on energy systems for the future, thus supporting the transition to a more sustainable world. With our portfolio of products, solutions, and services, Siemens Energy covers almost the entire energy value chain – from power generation and transmission to storage. The portfolio includes conventional and renewable energy technology, such as gas and steam turbines, hybrid power plants operated with hydrogen, and power generators and transformers. Siemens Energy operates across the whole energy landscape. From conventional to renewable power, from grid technology to storage to electrifying complex industrial processes. Together with Siemens Gamesa, we are a global market leader for renewable energies. An estimated one-sixth of the electricity generated worldwide is based on technologies from Siemens Energy. Today we are a team of 94.000 sharing the same passion, vision, and values. Our diversity makes us strong and helps us to find answers together with our partners for the most complex problems to achieve a more sustainable and decarbonized energy landscape. Together we can make it happen, with the right technology, the right framework conditions, and even more importantly the right people.
🪞 A glimpse into the future
I see Power-to-X processes as an important trend in energy generation and as the technological solution for sector coupling. Thanks to Power-to-X, carbon-neutral or even carbon-free mobility based on e-Fuels and/or green hydrogen will become the norm, not the exception. Obligations to increasingly use e-Fuels in the mobility sector, like those already implemented for biomass-based fuels, together with other measures such as higher penalties for CO2 emissions, would promote the adoption of Power-to-X.
In my opinion, the degree of digitalization and the use of AI technologies will continue to rise. The vision of power plants that operate autonomously is about to become a reality. AI-supported analysis algorithms are predicting the future and making preventive maintenance the new reality.
The present and future energy landscape requires control systems that can control conventional power plants as well as decentralized power generation like renewables or hydrogen plants and even integrate storage solutions. Our latest release of our digital control system Omnivise T3000 will continue to evolve and support the innovations needed to build a bridge to the energy systems of tomorrow.
To conclude...
✍🏻The energy industry is a vibrant sector with so many challenges and so many opportunities to create a positive impact in the world. It plays a crucial role in addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions and it is an excellent fit for individuals with "future-oriented" interests, as it combines technology, innovation, and sustainability in a dynamic and purpose-driven environment.
✍🏻 By contributing your expertise, you can actively work towards a more sustainable future. This sense of purpose can be a powerful motivator for individuals with a passion for making a difference. We should see the energy transition as a great opportunity – not only from an economic perspective but also for society. Working in this industry for Siemens Energy is great and I encourage the young generation to be curious and bold and join this industry. We can do so much to make a substantial change in the world.
✍🏻 The energy industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by technological advancements. Whether you're into renewable energy, smart grids, energy storage, or data analytics, there's a place for every one of you. Your analytical skills and tech-savvy mindset are highly valuable in this evolving landscape.
Embrace your passion and contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future through your work in the energy sector.
Until next time...
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