The 2023 Scheidt & Bachmann Experts Panel took place under the motto "Multi Energy - Impact on our Industry". Around 80 participants from different areas of the fuel retail industry and ev charging environment attended the event, which focused on the current and future challenges and opportunities of multi-energy.
In his welcoming speech, host and CEO of Scheidt & Bachmann Fuel Retail Solutions GmbH, Jörg M. Heilingbrunner, showed that today's petrol stations have to do much more than just sell fuel. Petrol stations are increasingly developing into mobility hubs with a wide range of services.
Companies such as BP and Shell, are showing the first concepts of what the mobility hub of the future could look like. As the energy mix grows, market players change and competition intensifies, there is real potential for the forecourt business that needs to be tapped.
The speakers
Mark Wholtmann, Director of NACS Global and moderator of the event, gave a brief overview of what innovative players around the world are doing to improve their operations. Stores like Daybreak Portumna in Ireland continue to provide great results by betting on extensive food offerings and attractive store design.
By 2030 there will be 12 to 15 million electric vehicles registered in Germany. How will EV adoption impact convenience stores? Patrick Steppe, CEO at Lekkerland SE, explained that, despite forecourts facing the “biggest change in their history,” food on-the-go still offers a huge potential that retailers can tap into.
Christine Scharinger, CEO and Founder of Scharinger Consulting, shared her views about the EU's new regulation for the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR).
Hosts Scheidt & Bachmann were represented by Harald Pöpke, Teamlead Checkout & API Solutions, and Verena Hiegemann, Product Management Lead New Mobility & Cashless Payment.
Hot topics of the day
Electric mobility and hydrogen were two big topics on the day. Jan Petersen, Managing Director at TotalEnergies Charging Solutions Deutschland, spoke about the company’s ambitious plans for EV charging in the European market. Smaller players also provide interesting examples of new ways to do business. In this case, Dr. Hans Henning Thies gave an overview of GP JOULE Connect’s business and how it supports the e-mobility sector with renewable electricity.
The hydrogen mobility ecosystem finds itself with plenty of political support but sees little action on the ground. Companies like Westfalen, Rwe and JET H2 Energy, a joint venture formed by Phillips 66 and H2 Energy Europe, are the pioneers laying the groundwork for a hydrogen-powered future.
Olaf Borbor, CEO of JET H2 Energy, spoke about plans to build 250 hydrogen stations in Germany, Austria and Denmark. Frank Slebos and Matthias Dieke discussed the joint project from Westfalen AG and RWE Generation to build a hydrogen ecosystem in Germany.
The day came to an end with a presentation about e-fuels. Ralf Diemer, Managing Director at the eFuel Alliance, spoke about the EU’s Green Deal and FitFor55 regulations as well as the role that e-fuels could play in the transport sector.
By all accounts it was seen as an excellent conference by attendees who later that day enjoyed a golf tournament followed by dinner. An excellent initiative. Well done to all the team at Scheidt & Bachmann!
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