Energy
New KIC InnoEnergy Hires to Bring Innovators and Industry in East and West Europe Closer Together
KIC InnoEnergy, the innovation engine for sustainable energy across Europe, has made a number of new appointments in Poland and Germany.
In Poland, Jakub Miler has been appointed as CEO and Marcin Lewenstein has been appointed as Clean Coal and Gas Thematic Leader.
In Germany, Dr Roland Doll is to take over as Business Manager for Innovation Projects.
All of the roles will be pivotal in the company’s ongoing drive to connect industry with innovative products and solutions across east and west Europe.
Speaking of his appointment, Jakub Miler said: “The energy industry in Europe has come a long way to harness the powers of innovation – but there is still much to be done. This new role will allow me to make use of KIC InnoEnergy’s fantastic European network to show the west the potential that exists in the east, and to provide opportunities for eastern European start-ups across the continent.”
Marcin now heads up KIC InnoEnergy’s clean coal and gas thematic field – a key area as Europe moves towards its 2020 emissions commitments, while still using its sizeable heritage coal plants. He explained: “After COP21 people believe that coal will quickly decline, but you can’t just turn it off like a switch. Coal will have a role to play in Europe for a while yet, it is up to us to find the best innovations to make sure that this role is carried out as sustainably as possible.”
In Germany, Roland Doll’s role will see him sourcing and fostering innovation projects across Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Doll, who holds a doctorate in physics, joins KIC InnoEnergy following a number of senior positions in the clean tech sector across Germany.
He explained: “This is an exciting time to be joining KIC InnoEnergy and to be bringing my knowledge of the energy sector and what innovative companies need to succeed to the table.
“Part of my role will also be to create awareness for our unique offering among companies in clean tech and to help small and medium enterprises in particular to benefit from them. KIC InnoEnergy doesn’t just provide financial support, it becomes an actual partner in the commercialisation of new concepts. Getting that message across will be one of my key priorities going forward.”
Diego Pavia, CEO of KIC InnoEnergy, said: “These new appointments will help to cement KIC InnoEnergy’s position as a bridge both between industry and innovations and between eastern and western Europe.
“In Poland, Jakub and Marcin both have the knowledge, commitment and enthusiasm to support KIC InnoEnergy’s mission to help drive innovations to commercialisation in eastern Europe and across the continent.
“In Germany, Roland will help develop KIC InnoEnergy’s profile across the German, Austrian and Swiss markets. As he spent much of his career in start-ups, he already understands the challenges they face in developing their products and growing as a business.
“Our job is to connect innovations with utilities and manufacturers so that their concepts can be fully commercialised. We provide the link between ideas and industry, innovators and business partners. I’m delighted that Jakub, Marcin and Roland will be putting their considerable experience and talent behind new ideas to the European energy market.”