Patrick Schmidt
Sustainable Energy & Transport, Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH / Germany
"There is a real risk that any efficiency improvements in aviation will be overcompensated by aviation’s growth. For long-term greenhouse gas emission mitigation in aviation the use of sustainable carbon-neutral fuels is indispensable.
Renewable power generation costs have fallen dramatically over the years. This together with the global potential for renewable power generation exceeding current and foreseeable future demand suggest that power-to-liquids will be key for those heavy-duty/long-distance transport modes where electrification with batteries and fuel cells is yet uncertain.
For a robust strategy to manage energy transition in the transport sector a dual approach is required: the electrification of drivetrain/propulsion systems, and the electrification of the primary energy basis of fuels."
Vita
Patrick studied electrical engineering at the Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences. He is senior project manager and partner with the environmental expert consultancy LBST in Munich/Germany. In his 15 years career, he worked on a number of energy and sustainability related topics, ranging from the integration of renewable electricity, energy storage, hydrogen and fuel cells, biomass sustainability, and electricity-based fuels.
Patrick has been instrumental in many studies on energy transition in the electricity and transportation sector. Among others, he worked for the European Commission, the European Parliament, German ministries, the aviation, car and energy industry. From 2010 to 2015, Patrick was part of the research group assisting the German Transport Ministry in the Mobility and Fuels Strategy of the German Government (MKS).