Question: Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Nitsch. GE4A Group has made significant strides in the renewable energy sector, particularly in reUSE, AI and Blockchain. Could you explain why your company focuses on these areas and what advantages they bring?
Toralf Nitsch: Thank you for having me. At GE4A, we focus on reUSE, AI, and blockchain — what we term “Digital Energy”. These technologies allow us to significantly reduce waste, utilize less energy, and be more cost-effective, making our approach much more sustainable. Our journey began over 12 years ago when we introduced balcony power plants (solar panels that plug directly into a household socket), pioneering decentralized energy supply. As we evolved, we tapped into the resources in used solar modules, leading to our vision of fair resource distribution through Energy-as-a-Service systems. This vision is made possible by the digitalization of energy, which has been a core part of GE4A from the start. It allows us to offer sustainable and economical energy solutions based on the reUSE of components like solar modules and batteries.
Question: Can you elaborate on how this digital energy concept fits your long-term goals?
Toralf Nitsch: Our ultimate goal is to become a leading Energy-as-a-Service platform (PaaS). We are leveraging WEB3 concepts and maximizing yield of energy through Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) fintech instruments to achieve this. This, combined with our extensive access to used solar modules and strategic supply agreements, positions us to create a sustainable and efficient energy ecosystem. We pair consumer tokens with producer tokens to bring the systems closer to a circular economy. The ownership of the assets in the real world (RWA), the energy produced in the form of a token, and the data information and management of those assets are all integrated into our system.
Question: How does this approach benefit your customers and the environment?
Toralf Nitsch: For our customers, this approach means extreme resource conservation and the ability to integrate renewable energy through highly effi- cient systems. It strengthens value creation at the communal level, boosting satisfaction and engagement no matter where in the world. For us at GE4A, it's about participating in and leading a movement where everyone can win. Our position is strengthened by our own raw material streams from used (and new) modules and batteries, in-house hardware and software development, and in- novative research in EU projects on the future of photovoltaics.
Question: Digital energy sounds revolutionary. How does it enable actions that are currently unimaginable?
Toralf Nitsch: In a tokenized energy ecosystem, every action, from generating to consuming energy, can be tracked and rewarded in real-time. This transparency encourages sustainable behavior and innovation. For instance, individuals could earn tokens to use energy-efficient appliances or to produce surplus energy with their solar panels. These tokens could then be traded or used to off- set other energy costs. This system democratizes energy access, incentivizes green practices, and ultimately leads to a more sustainable and equitable energy landscape. Furthermore, it will unlock new ecosystems where the energy itself may have no monetary value, but the output produced with that energy does.
Question: The prices for solar modules and batteries have been consistently decreasing. How does GE4A plan to navigate this trend, and what does it mean for the industry's future?
Toralf Nitsch: The declining prices are indeed a significant trend, bringing us closer to a potential zero-cost economy for solar energy. As costs drop, it becomes increasingly feasible to integrate solar energy into more aspects of our daily lives. At GE4A, we see this as an opportunity to expand our reUSE initiatives. By refurbishing and redeploying used modules at even lower costs, we can make solar energy more accessible globally. This aligns with our mission to reduce energy poverty and promote sustainable energy use worldwide.
Question: You recently announced a significant contract for 15.8 million used solar modules. How does this align with your global expansion plans, particularly in markets like China and the US?
Toralf Nitsch: This contract is a crucial step in our global expansion strategy. It provides a steady supply of used modules for refurbishment, allowing us to scale our operations and meet the growing demand in various regions. We're particularly excited about our prospects in China, where we've already made significant inroads over the last nearly 20 years, and we're looking forward to establishing a strong presence in the US market this summer. These expansions will enable us to bring our sustainable energy solutions to a broader audience, furthering our goal of making green energy accessible to all, everywhere, anyti- me.
Question: What role do partnerships and investments play in GE4A's strategy for the US market?
Toralf Nitsch: Partnerships and investments are vital to our strategy. We are actively seeking partners who share our vision for a sustainable future. By collaborating with local governments, renewable energy organizations, and other stakeholders, we can leverage their expertise and networks to accelerate our growth. We also invite investors to join us in this journey. Their support can help us scale our operations more rapidly and bring innovative energy solutions to the market. This journey is exciting for investors because such high transparency and extreme efficiency lead to high returns on investments.
Question: This all sounds very promising. Any final thoughts on how GE4A Group is setting new standards in the renewable energy sector?
Toralf Nitsch: We're committed to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in renewable energy. By focusing on reUSE, integrating digital technologies, and fostering global partnerships, we aim to set new standards for sustainability and efficiency. Our vision is to create an energy ecosystem that is not only environ- mentally friendly but also economically viable and socially equitable. We're excited about the future and the positive impact we can make on the world.
Question: Thank you, Mr. Nitsch, for sharing your insights and the exciting developments at GE4A Group. We look forward to seeing your continued success.
Toralf Nitsch: Thank you. It was a pleasure to be here.
Discover the Future of Renewable Energy with GE4A Group
Interview with Toralf Nitsch, CEO of GE4A Group - Green Energy for All
May 24, 2024
by
GE4A Group B.V., Thorsten Voigt ∞ GE4A Group B.V.