Last time you got to meet Michael Harre of LG Electrics Germany. Now it is the turn of Horst Dufner of Solar Promotion to answer our six questions:
1. How are you personally – and as a company – coping with the corona crisis?
We were all surprised, if not genuinely shocked, by how fast such an unexpected situation can completely change everything for us, personally, professionally, and as a society. The ban on live events had an immediate effect on some of our events, such as Intersolar Europe 2020. In a situation like that you have to do what you can, to rethink and stay flexible. One thing that helped us here was our close contact with the exhibitors and other partners, with whom we discussed all of our plans and options in detail.
There is something else that this situation has really brought home to me – for the first time in a long time we’ve seen how quickly an unexpected crisis can jeopardize everything we take for granted, and how vulnerable our everyday life is. When we also consider how much faster than expected our climate is changing and forests are dying – developments which could have a much more severe and lasting impact on lives around the world than Covid-19 has now – we have to realize how fragile our normalcy is and how much harder we need to work to safeguard the future of humanity and of our planet.
2. What are you enthusiastic about, apart from your company?
I think that what really fascinates me in many ways is people, in the context that they live in, against the background of their society, and what motivates them. This is why I am so passionate about classical literature and world literature through the ages as well as world history. Of course, this is also reflected in the fascination I have for my work. It’s not just about driving new, sustainable technologies and business concepts, but also about working with a great many friends, partners and fellow campaigners to create an environment in which societies as a whole can and do act mindfully and conserve resources in order to protect the common good. In my free time I enjoy sports and exercise, generally being active. I find it especially calming to spend time in nature.
3. What social media account or podcast makes your life better?
As exhibition organizers, we benefit directly from all kinds of innovative media and channels, particularly from social and dialog-oriented media. We are active and successful on many channels, too – we even have our own podcast. Of course, I also use social media and listen to podcasts myself, although I’m not a diehard fan of any one in particular. Maybe that’s partly because I’m able to meet so many people in person. I generally find news services, newsletters and industry portals – i.e. websites offered by publishing companies – to be particularly important and relevant because they keep me in touch with all the latest trends and technologies while also providing in-depth information.
4. Whom would you like to meet/have met?
Experience has taught me that famous or powerful people are not necessarily the most interesting people to talk to, by a long way. So I can’t say there is a particular person, whether famous or not, who I would especially like to meet. I just love meeting a lot of different people and finding ways to make a connection with them. There are so many people who have something interesting to say. Of course, it’s always exciting to meet people who share my vision, who are working to build the new energy world and put visions into practice every day. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to meet these people through my work and to be in touch with people working for the media, associations, research institutions and businesses who are bringing a shared vision to life. It’s a privilege.
5. If you could change one thing in the world – other than the corona crisis, of course – what would it be?
Humanity will only be able to survive if the technologies and behaviors needed to ensure our survival are cheaper than the technologies and behaviors that jeopardize survival. This means making sure that costs for things such as energy generation are realistic, for example by including a carbon price. It also means preventing financial disadvantages for people who are making the world a better place by generating and using renewable energies. It goes without saying that wealthy countries have a particular duty to act, while also supporting and encouraging this process in other parts of the world.
6. What aspect of your company’s work are you most proud of?
I have been in a leading role at Solar Promotion for 20 years, first for Intersolar Europe and now for The smarter E Europe. What enthused me right from the start was the role that we played with our exhibition and the accompanying activities and conferences. In the early years, we had many visitors from abroad who were pioneering new, renewable ways of generating energy in their home countries and were looking to break new ground. We were able to encourage and inspire these people, who went away with business contacts and ideas that helped them implement some wonderful projects in their countries. I am proud of this support that we have been able to give so many people over the last 20 or 30 years and of the projects and friendships that have grown up across borders. (mfo)
