World’s Most Innovative Climate Tech Companies to Watch in 2024

Vol. 02 | Issue 05 | February 2024

World's Most Innovative Climate Tech
Companies to Watch in 2024
The first cleantech bubble appeared in the mid-2000s when
start-ups in Silicon Valley concentrated on solar, wind, and
hydropower. Numerous factors, such as lower import costs
from Chinese manufacturers and the slow adoption of
cleantech products because of low oil and natural gas
prices, contributed to the failure of many of these
enterprises. But the sector is resurfacing more than 20 years
later, going by the moniker "climate tech." The goal of this
new generation of businesses is to cut carbon emissions
from a variety of sources, such as the distribution of energy,
the built environment, transportation, heavy industry,
agriculture, and land use.
We need to act since the world is currently experiencing a
serious climate crisis. Climate-related technology firms are
significantly contributing to the development of creative
ways to lessen the effects of global warming. It highlights
decarbonization across several economic sectors and
demonstrates that climate technology is much more than
just clean technology.
These climate tech companies are spearheading the battle
against climate change with their innovative solutions,
which range from carbon capture and storage to renewable
energy sources.
World's Leaders latest edition “World's Most Innovative
Climate Tech Companies to Watch in 2024” has featured
leading climate tech companies which are changing the
course of Earth's future and encouraging others to do the
same. The cover features Carbon Limit, a South Florida-
based climate-tech company, specializes in a
groundbreaking Carbon Capture technology designed to
actively capture atmospheric CO2 and permanently store it
in concrete. This innovation contributes to long-term
sustainability and the development of greener cities on a
global scale. The flagship offering, CaptureCrete™,
represents a unique solution to address the environmental
impact of concrete, which is responsible for approximately
8% of global CO2 emissions.
CaptureCrete™ involves a special powder additive
composed of highly reactive minerals to CO2. This additive
is seamlessly integrated during the concrete manufacturing
process, significantly enhancing the Carbon Capture
Utilization & Storage capabilities of structures made with
CaptureCrete™. The technology aims to revolutionize the
concrete industry by mitigating its carbon footprint and
promoting environmentally friendly construction practices.
In this special edition, let us share similar, interviews with
many such dedicated organizations in order to raise
awareness about their contributions to making the world a
better place.
Let's Begin!
Saving Tomorrow
Have a lovely read!

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Editor-in-Chief Steve Sanchez
Managing Editor Jagdish Chincholikar
Executive Editor Nicole Williams
Assistant Editor Gayatri Bhujbal
Art & Design Director Jack Anderson
Business Development Manager Kate Anderson
Business Development Executive Natalie, Jerrey
Associate Designer Kevin Rust
Digital Marketing Manager Victor Clarke
Sales Manager Megan Morgan, Irfan Shekh
Marketing Manager Tom Swann
Technical Specialist Barry Jones
Circulation Manager Danny Parker
CREDIT PAGE
February 2024

08
Cover
Story
A Renowned
Advocate for
Proﬁtable
Sustainability

Ben Knoeﬂer
Deke Welling
Lidia Aviles
Prof. Graham Weale
Mr. Thomas
Zirk-Gunnemann
Orri Bjornsson
Liam Hardey
Mogens Birkelund
Ayisha Panhwar
58
54
48
44
40
36
30
26
22

Sperry
Tim
Cover Story
08 | February 2024

Tim
Sperry, the visionary founder of
Carbon Limit Co., has established a
thriving Climate Tech company
dedicated to introducing
groundbreaking, sustainable solutions
for the built environment. His focus
extends beyond decarbonizing the
industry to making it profitable. Tim's
background is rooted in creating and
commercializing negative emission
technologies (NET) and carbon capture
technologies. He previously founded
another Climate Tech company, where
they developed a NET additive initially
used in paint. The company offered an
air-purifying paint that not only
improved air quality but also absorbed
pollutants and odors. As the business
expanded, the additive itself became
the product, finding applications
beyond paint and for different use
cases. This experience not only
contributed valuable insights but also
laid the foundation for the
collaborative company culture at
Carbon Limit, fostering deep-rooted
friendships within the team.
Tim shares that the happiest part of his
daily routine is engaging in what he
loves and collaborating with amazing
individuals who bring fantastic energy.
Witnessing his team achieve
breakthroughs with their technology,
securing deals, and generating
innovative ideas within the collective
company environment and culture is a
source of true reward for him.
10 | February 2024

While Tim's responsibilities are
currently broad, he is working on
narrowing them down. His current
focus involves steering Carbon Limit
toward its vision and mission by
providing oversight and direction for
both research and development (R&D)
and business development.
Revolutionizing Concrete
Carbon Limit, a South Florida-based
climate-tech company, specializes in a
groundbreaking Carbon Capture
technology designed to actively
capture atmospheric CO2 and
permanently store it in concrete. This
innovation contributes to long-term
sustainability and the development of
greener cities on a global scale. The
flagship offering, CaptureCrete™,
represents a unique solution to address
the environmental impact of concrete,
which is responsible for approximately
8% of global CO2 emissions.
CaptureCrete™ involves a special
powder additive composed of highly
reactive minerals to CO2. This additive
is seamlessly integrated during the concrete manufacturing process, significantly
enhancing the Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage capabilities of structures
made with CaptureCrete™. The technology aims to revolutionize the concrete
industry by mitigating its carbon footprint and promoting environmentally
friendly construction practices.
Carbon Limit's core team, boasting a solid five-year history from a prior climate
tech venture, brings together diverse expertise. The team includes scientists
specializing in concrete and carbon capture technology. The Chief Operating
Officer, Christina Stavridi, is a trailblazing female leader advocating for women's
leadership in carbon removal. Together, this team fosters a culture of innovation
and collaboration, empowering each member to think beyond conventional
boundaries. The blend of experience, diversity, and a shared commitment defines
the unique and effective approach of the Carbon Limit team in addressing climate
challenges through cutting-edge technology.
Collaborative Innovation and Rigorous Standards
The team at Carbon Limit adopts a unique perspective on the competitive
landscape, viewing it more as a collaborative opportunity. While CaptureCrete™
stands out for its uniqueness, it is also highly versatile and, in many cases, can be
used in conjunction with other existing solutions. The company actively welcomes
opportunities to collaborate with other firms and solutions, recognizing the
potential for creating an even more significant positive impact on the environment
through collective efforts.
Carbon Limit places a strong emphasis on diligence to ensure that their
technology not only creates a measurable positive impact but also maintains or
worldsleaders.com | 11

FOUNDERS
TIM SPERRY
ORO PADRON
improves performance in concrete for
the projects in which it is utilized. This
involves obtaining certification under
ASTM standards and testing in as
many use cases as possible for
durability and Carbon Dioxide
Removal (CDR) efficacy. The company
has invested a significant amount of
time and energy in getting their carbon
credits validated for CaptureCrete™,
thereby creating a more substantial
value proposition for their customers,
including concrete producers and
construction project developers. This
commitment to rigorous standards and
validation underscores Carbon Limit's
dedication to delivering both
environmentally impactful and
performance-enhancing solutions to
the market.
Driving Innovation and Personal
Growth
Tim expresses that at Carbon Limit, the
team is driven by a mission to surpass
the GIGATON scale of CO2 removal,
serving as their North Star and guiding
their continuous efforts. Aligned with
this ambitious mission, the team
consistently focuses on three priorities
simultaneously, each representing a
10X goal that challenges them to
fuels his commitment to contributing
to the growth of those around him.
Tim's constant focus is on discovering
ways to empower his team members to
become the best versions of
themselves.
Dedicated to cultivating a company
culture filled with self-managing
leaders, Tim envisions a workplace
where individuals empower others and
foster leadership. Recognizing the
influx of new companies and first-time
founders entering the scene, Tim
highlights the significance of having
the right kind of experience, whether
firsthand or from wise advisors. This
perspective underscores Tim's
commitment to creating a supportive
and empowering environment at
Carbon Limit, where continuous
learning and leadership development
are integral to the company's success.
Incentives and Industry
Commitments
According to Tim, incentives such as
the IRA (Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act) and various other favorable
conditions are contributing
significantly to the growing interest in
the adoption of innovative technologies
like CaptureCrete™. Tim highlights
that the appeal of new technologies lies
in their ability to enhance systems and
exceed their previous achievements.
These priorities compel the team to
think differently and foster innovation
in their pursuit of significant
environmental impact.
Dedicated to cultivating an
environment of innovation, Carbon
Limit closely ties this commitment to
their company culture, integrity, and
core values. Since the inception of
Carbon Limit, a company manifesto
has outlined their core values: Personal
Growth, Innovation, Envisioning, and
Love. To further align with the
aspirations of team members, three
questions are posed to each new
member, demonstrating a commitment
to understanding their objectives and
contributing to their personal growth.
This emphasis on values and individual
growth reflects Carbon Limit's holistic
approach to fostering innovation within
the team.
Empowerment, Continuous
Learning, and Team Growth
Tim is an avid reader, emphasizing the
importance of continuous learning and
personal growth in his daily routine.
His deep passion for gaining a better
understanding of himself and others
12 | February 2024

processes, coupled with the potential to generate
additional revenues through avenues like carbon
credits. These factors, in turn, are driving
increased investment capital into the industry.
Reflecting on Carbon Limit's journey, Tim notes
that when the company was founded in 2021, it
faced challenges in finding adopters However,
the landscape rapidly changed in October 2021
when the global cement and concrete industries
committed to achieving net zero by 2050 and
reducing carbon emissions by 25% by 2030.
This commitment triggered a notable shift, with
many companies actively seeking out solutions
like CaptureCrete™, underscoring the impact of
industry-wide sustainability goals on technology
adoption and market dynamics.
A transparent Approach:
Tim underscores the pivotal role of Carbon
Limit's carbon credit projects in advancing
sustainability. By deploying CaptureCrete™ in
projects, the company can permanently remove
and store CO2, generating high-quality carbon
credits. These credits have become increasingly
sought after by companies aiming to
strategically offset their carbon footprint and
contribute to environmental initiatives. Beyond
aligning with sustainability goals, these credits
position companies as responsible and
environmentally conscious, making a positive
impact on both the planet and their corporate
image.
Carbon Limit faces unique challenges in the
carbon industry due to the innovative nature of
CaptureCrete™. The revolutionary solution
didn't initially fit within existing certifications
and regulations, prompting the company to
navigate a strategic pivot. Creatively adjusting
the formula for certification and customer use
became essential to overcoming these
challenges.
Furthermore, the carbon credit market, while
promising, has encountered issues related to
reputation and regulation. In response, Carbon
Limit has taken proactive steps to validate
CaptureCrete™ carbon credits through a
rigorous process. This commitment ensures
permanence and fulfillment, addressing industry
concerns and establishing the company's credits
as reliable and trustworthy in the market.
Through these efforts, Carbon Limit aims to not
only contribute to sustainability but also set a
standard for credibility and innovation in the
carbon industry.
2023 Milestones in Carbon Limit's
Sustainable Building Journey
Carbon Limit's journey towards sustainable
building and carbon neutrality includes key
milestones:
● Carbon-Capturing Lines: Launched
lines with licensees, integrating
CaptureCrete™ into their products for
carbon capture within the construction
industry.
● $2M USD Xtech SBIR US Army
Grants: Secured substantial funding
from US Army grants, validating
CaptureCrete™ and supporting further
research and development.
● CaptureCrete™ Carbon Credits
Validation: Achieved validation by
Bureau Veritas under the Covalent
Certification Standard, making the
credits available for pre-purchase. This
enhances credibility and facilitates
proactive carbon offsetting.
● GreenBiz's Climate Tech Company of
2023
Balancing Individual Heroics and Team
Processes
Tim's perspective on whether organizations rely
heavily on individual heroics or team processes
reflects a nuanced understanding. He believes
that initially, individual heroics play a crucial
role in leading the charge and demonstrating that
anything can be accomplished. This involves
individuals stepping up and offering guidance on
how to operate effectively.
14 | February 2024

However, Tim emphasizes that, after this initial stage, the focus shifts
to the importance of team processes. In his view, team processes
become paramount for sustained success. Establishing and
implementing processes is seen as essential to creating a duplicatable
system that can be easily followed. This approach aims to ensure
consistency and efficiency within the team, emphasizing the
significance of well-defined and replicable processes in achieving
ongoing success for the organization.
Leadership Insights
Tim's advice to someone entering a leadership position for the first
time is rooted in a commitment to continuous learning and openness.
He suggests being willing to constantly learn how to be a better leader
and emphasizing the importance of being a better listener to those
around you who can contribute value to the team.
Moreover, Tim encourages new leaders not to be afraid to ask for help
and underscores the value of reading extensively, focusing on the right
books that aid personal growth and contribute to the development of
others. According to Tim, true success as a leader is achieved when
you start fostering the development of other leaders within your team,
ultimately reaching a stage where the company becomes self-
managing. This advice emphasizes the importance of humility,
learning, and empowering others as key elements in effective
leadership.
16 | February 2024

Ayisha Panhwar is the co-founder and
CEO (innovation champion) at
Panhwar Jet. As CEO, she consistently
looks for market possibilities and
cultivates partnerships to manage
resources most efficiently and
effectively. Ayisha is an expert in
structuring teams that are relevant to
the innovation process because she has
participated in innovations at various
levels inside a major firm. She
provides exceptional leadership
expertise in the IT industry, spanning
17 years. In the IT industry, she had
achieved success. With the help of AI-
driven solutions, she has a tech-savvy
attitude and viewpoint to improve
operational excellence and people's
welfare. She says, "Achieving
milestones and seeing innovative
technology evolve every day right in
front of my eyes makes my day!"
Panhwar Jet
Panhwar Jet is introducing the world's
first all-electric, self-charging aircraft
solely designed and built by Panhwar
Jet for passengers, cargo, and medical
supplies. By harnessing wind energy to
create electricity aboard, Panhwar’s
Technology allows its aircraft to fly
faster and further while almost
removing the need for bulky batteries.
Panhwar Jet stands apart from the
other participants in the electric
aviation market because manufacturing
is completely cost-effective. The firm
is clearly a frontrunner because of its
own technology. Ayisha says, "We are
working to revolutionize travel, the
transport of cargo, and medical
supplies in an easy, fast, and
affordable way."
24 | February 2024

Ben
Ben
Knoeﬂer
Crafting a Multifaceted Business Model and
Leadership for KCi Group's Success

The
foundation of KCi Group was built upon the
belief that they could achieve what others
couldn't. This ambition didn't stem solely from
their exceptional business acumen, but rather
from a shared vision for the future of their
companies and clients that has been 10 years
in the making since its inauguration. Their
journey commenced as a modest family
holding and has since blossomed into a
multinational conglomerate with diverse
expertise in international trade and trade
consulting. As a global entity, they
acknowledge the unique challenges stemming
from their diversification and approach every
interaction with this awareness.
With over two decades of expertise in the
industry, Ben Knoefler, Chairman at KCi, has
main goals for the company which are to
continually improve its concurrent operations,
make it simpler for the group of companies to
enter new markets.
His work is highlighted by accuracy in
analysis, the creation of specific plans, and the
carrying out of a customized strategy to tailor
to each situation. Ben has continually
demonstrated via his broad experience a
profound awareness of other cultures,
remarkable social skills, powerful leadership
talents, and an amazing can-do attitude. These
characteristics have helped him carry out
multiple projects successfully on a worldwide
scale. His passion and efficiency in thriving
and growing the KCi brand is testified to by his
international reputation as a business leader
and expert in his field.
28 | February 2024

The foundation of KCi Group was built upon the belief
that they could achieve what others couldn't. This
ambition didn't stem solely from their exceptional
business acumen, but rather from a shared vision for the
future of their companies and clients that has been 10
years in the making since its inauguration. Their journey
commenced as a modest family holding and has since
blossomed into a multinational conglomerate with
diverse expertise in international trade and trade
consulting. As a global entity, they acknowledge the
unique challenges stemming from their diversification
and approach every interaction with this awareness.
With over two decades of expertise in the industry, Ben
Knoefler, Chairman at KCi, has main goals for the
company which are to continually improve its concurrent
operations, make it simpler for the group of companies
to enter new markets.
His work is highlighted by accuracy in analysis, the
creation of specific plans, and the carrying out of a
customized strategy to tailor to each situation. Ben has
continually demonstrated via his broad experience a
profound awareness of other cultures, remarkable social
skills, powerful leadership talents, and an amazing can-
do attitude. These characteristics have helped him carry
out multiple projects successfully on a worldwide scale.
His passion and efficiency in thriving and growing the
KCi brand is testified to by his international reputation as
a business leader and expert in his field.

Life Story
Liam was born and raised in a small town in the north of England,
located on the outskirts of the North Yorkshire Moors. He participated in
youth football leagues for several of England's top football (soccer)
academies, including York City and Leeds United. He was released from
York City (League 2) when he was 12 years old, which finally caused
him to give up football for a short while. Liam later went on to play
football again which resulted in a two-year contract with Leeds United at
the age of 14 but later released after the two year contact. Liam re-joined
York City, the team that had previously dropped him, for the next two
years after turning 16 and signing his first professional youth contract. At
the end of the contract, Liam was once again released, and at that time
he was offered the chance to join a football club in the north of Sweden,
where he played for the following few years.
In 2017, Liam suffered a career ending injury when he tore two
ligaments, strained one, and tore both cartilages in his knee. After two
years of rehabilitation and two operations, he made a limited return to
football, playing with Swedish Division 1 and 2 teams and later training
with a Singapore Premier League team in 2019.
Cellfion AB
Liam had the good fortune to land a job in 2020 with the Linköping-
based business incubator LEAD, where he worked on a variety of deep
tech projects. He met the research team behind the amazing technology
and learned more about the work being done at the university through
one of those projects, the Cellfion one. He spent six months researching
the industry and financial prospects for the study and rapidly realized the
potential significance of the technology. It was
a sustainable technology that would also be
used to the energy transition, one of the
fastest-growing and most important sectors of
the economy.
To the best of the team's knowledge, Cellfion
is developing and commercializing the world's
first bio-based ion-selective membrane made
from the most abundant biopolymer on the
planet, cellulose derived from wood. The
membrane can be used in different energy
storage and conversion devices such as Redox
Flow Batteries (a battery technology that can
store substantial amounts of energy) and
hydrogen technologies such as fuel cells (used
for hydrogen conversion to electrical energy)
and Electrolysers (used for the production of
green hydrogen). He says, "Our solution isn't
limited to just these devices, as we have
identified over 10 possible applications for the
material."
The Force behind Joining Sector
The key driving force to join this sector was
the feeling of knowing that Liam could make a
real impact with the technology. He says,
"Climate change is one of the greatest
challenges we are facing, therefore we need to
reduce greenhouse gasses from the
atmosphere." One thing that is being
overlooked when it comes to climate action is
the materials that are being used. The world is
still turning to unsustainable materials that are
fossil based and contain rare, non-abundant
metals because of the lack of better
alternatives. This is where Liam believes that
Cellfion can make an impact and hopefully
inspire others to dare to take similar journeys.
Seeing Challenges as Ways of
Transformation
The future of manufacturing is exciting. The
number of innovations that can be made in the
area are enormous and Liam sees that
manufacturing has the potential to be modern
and innovative. He says, "We already see a
push towards more sustainable manufacturing,
and I believe that clean and bio technologies
will be the future of manufacturing.”
Liam wants to see more daring individuals
advancing novel, useful technology.
Governments, risk capitalists, engineers,
38 | February 2024

entrepreneurs, and researchers all have important roles
to play in this. The absence of risk-takers and
entrepreneurs that desire to advance the technology into
a commercial product causes a lot of wonderful research
and new concepts to be lost. He thinks industries can
create the future it desires by promoting greater
innovation.
According to Liam, in a start-up or scale-up company,
one is constantly developing procedures and adapting
value propositions based on the customers' demands and
wants, which is a never-ending process. He asserts,
"What we put a lot of focus on today is customizing our
membranes for different market segments and
customers." He believes that through market and
customer focused development, Cellfion can improve
performance and increase the efficiencies of energy
devices. He adds, "There is immense potential in
optimizing our solution to fit specific requirements in
each of the applications we target, as well as the 10
potential applications we have identified."
Guidance for Future Leaders
Liam can guarantee that there will be days when
everything feels hopeless, or one gets stuck in a rut. He
suggests for those times, "Just keep going." He asserts,
"You can only fail if you quit; hardships are just a part
of the journey." He recalls, "My father always said to me
growing up that hard work beats talent when talent fails
to work hard. This is something that I carry with me
every day, and something I saw as a footballer. The most
talented players I played with at an early age are now
working in dead-end jobs, whereas the ones that gave
everything but did not have the most talent are now
playing in the Premier League or representing
international teams."
Liam also believes that it is so easy to get caught up in
one's own work and the little details that one actually
loses sight of the long-term goals or fails to see how far
he or she has come. He says, "By surrounding yourself
with experts and people you can trust, you can always
find a way to solve challenges."
Future Ideas
Liam envisions a really thrilling journey over the next
five years. He anticipates that the business will have
reached out to other geographic areas, increased the
number of skilled employees at the company, researched
new goods to add to its product line, and built the first
plant in the world for the production of bio-based ion-
selective membranes.

“Bringing the world,
sectors and
policymakers together
into full awareness
and collaboration.”
42 | February 2024

an esteemed EU Climate Pact
Ambassador, Lidia Aviles is
dedicated to spreading
awareness about sustainability
and promoting eco-friendly
practices. Sustainability has
always been her passion and way
of life, and she is driven by
ﬁnding practical solutions to
make the world a better place.
Lidia's academic journey began
with the study of International
Relations, followed by a Master's
in Global Management. Her
career in the diplomatic sector
started during her university
years and has since allowed her
to accumulate a wealth of
experience in various ﬁelds. She
has contributed to diverse
specializations and
organizations, ranging from
Education, Economics, and
Cybersecurity to Art, Academia,
Research, Sustainability &
Innovation, Energy, and
Sustainable Investment. With
this broad expertise, she
endeavors to bring about
positive change and a more
sustainable future.

Mogens
Birkelund
A Renowned Expert in
Demand Response
Solutions in Denmark
44 | February 2024

The Journey
Mogens' journey into the world of SmartGrid technologies
and Virtual Power Plants began during his time as a CTO in
the Telecom industry. The turning point came in 2009 when
Denmark hosted the UN COP15 conference, which placed a
strong focus on environmental sustainability. This event,
combined with Denmark's longstanding commitment to
green initiatives, inspired Mogens to delve into the
development of SmartGrid technologies, ultimately leading
to the creation of Virtual Power Plant technology. He took
the initiative to establish a startup named GridManager and
successfully secured initial funding. However, the market
was not yet ready for such innovations, and the venture
faced challenges. Recognizing the need to bide their time,
they temporarily halted the project.
As the market matured, the role of Aggregator emerged as a
viable route to market. This development prompted a restart
of the project. Leveraging Mogens' experience and network,
S.C. Nordic quickly became a growth project, expanding its
team to 15 members over the last 18 months.
Strengthening Renewable Energy Transition
S.C. Nordic is a prominent player in Scandinavia,
specializing in the development of solutions for flexible
consumption, which is commonly referred to as ancillary
services or Demand Response. This field is considered a
critical component for regions transitioning to renewable
energy production, as renewable sources like wind and solar
power are variable, requiring consumers to use electricity
when it's abundantly available.
As a trailblazer in Denmark, S.C. Nordic was the first
independent aggregator to offer demand-side flexibility to
the power grid through aggregation. This flexibility
encompasses both production and consumption resources,
providing a comprehensive solution for the grid's needs.
46 | February 2024

S.C. Nordic's approach allows its
customers to purchase certified green
power while simultaneously
contributing to the growth and
utilization of renewable energy
sources. This innovative technology is
referred to as 'TrueGreen,' and it
functions as a Virtual Power Plant.
The 'S.C.' in S.C. Nordic stands for
Smarter Consumers, emphasizing the
company's commitment to empowering
its customers to become more
intelligent and conscious consumers of
energy.
Advocating Green Initiatives
Mogens describes himself as a natural
entrepreneur with a strong technical
background in various types of
equipment and a deep understanding of
the opportunities within the power
grid. He places a significant focus on
revenue potential and is committed to
the execution and development of
projects to the point where they can
start generating income.
With an electronics engineering degree
and extensive experience in software
development, Mogens possesses the
skills to identify potential issues with
different types of equipment and
envision effective solutions for their
development. His drive and
determination for execution can
sometimes make him appear impatient
or even a bit hostile to individuals who
require more time to make decisions.
However, he is conscious of this and
makes efforts to ensure that everyone is
on board.
Mogens is deeply passionate about
environmental sustainability, to the
extent that he has entered the realm of
politics to advocate for green
initiatives. He uses his knowledge and
drive to inspire other politicians to
recognize the opportunities within the
green transition and emphasizes the
importance of taking smaller, faster
steps rather than trying to create a
comprehensive plan before
implementation.
Mogens is not only a member of the
town council of Skive but is also
closely associated with a
groundbreaking initiative called
Greenlab. Skive has distinguished
itself as a pioneering town in Denmark
by establishing Greenlab, a designated
area where residents are granted
special permission to share energy
resources among themselves without
the usual tax implications. This means
they can install wind turbines and
develop solar capacity within this area,
and those resources aren't subject to
taxation.
Additionally, this unique setup allows
for the efficient utilization of excess
heat generated by companies, which
would typically go to waste. In
Greenlab, this excess heat can be
shared with other residents who can
put it to good use. Greenlab serves as a
demonstration of what is possible
when tax policies and infrastructure are
reimagined.

Mr.Thomas
Zirk-
Gunnemann

Orri
Bjornsson
A Global Leader in the Health and Sustainability
My motivation is to
do good for the
environment, for
society, and for my
team.
‘‘
54 | February 2024

CEO | Algalif

Professor
RUHR-UNIVERSITÄT
BOCHUM
58 | February 2024

Prof. Graham
Weale
Prof. Graham Weale has worked with all
types of energy for more than 40 years. He
teaches energy economics at the German
Ruhr University in Bochum's Center for
Environmental Management, Resources, and
Energy.
With his comprehensive knowledge of
economics, energy policy, and technology,
he is able to provide insightful analysis of
energy trends and provide a welcome dose
of reality check for governments' lofty
objectives. His ability to challenge the status
quo and think outside the box makes him a
highly sought-after guest speaker.
Prof. Weale, who is ﬂuent in both English and
German and travels as needed both inside
and outside of Europe to deliver his
presentations, lives and works in the
industrial Ruhr region of Germany and has
strong ties to both power ﬁrms and energy-
intensive industry.
ARecognisedExpertin
EnergyMarkets,Energy
StrategyandEnergy
TransitionsintheEU/USA
P

Below are highlights of the interview conducted between
World's Leaders and Graham Weale:
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside
of the workplace.
I am a very creative person with an insatiable curiosity
to always learn more and have a passion for energy,
which I have exercised for over 40 years. Having begun
work as a physicist in the electronics industry, I decided
to move into a career with a much stronger international
dimension and made the transition into energy, starting
with ExxonMobil, from which I never looked back.
Outside of the workplace, I am a very happily married
man with two sons and two grandchildren. Music is my
main hobby, and I play in Germany's Management
Symphony Orchestra as well as in a chamber music
society which I founded.
I am also a committed Christian, and as a trained
scientist, I find that my beliefs and science are in perfect
harmony. With my wife, we are members of an Anglican
Church in Düsseldorf and have also founded a German-
speaking church which meets in our living room.
Describe your background and what did you do before you
joined the Ruhr University Bochum?
After my education in science at Oxford and engineering, I
worked in the downstream division of ExxonMobil, both in
logistics and in one of the refineries. My major achievement
during that time was introducing a system that greatly
improved refining profitability.
My next move was to get an MBA specializing in economics
and finance. This was the bridge to my subsequent career as an
energy economist.
For 25 years, I worked as an energy consultant, finally as
Director of European Consultancy for Global Insight, now part
of Standard & Poors.
My consultancy work covered all forms of energy and I had
clients in most European countries, including governments and
the European permission.
It was the junction between technology and economics which
particularly interested me, and I was credited as the first
consultant to draw Europe's attention to the potential for
combined cycle gas plants, which I learned about whilst
visiting Turkey, to make a major contribution to power
generation.
My work on natural gas was particularly strong and I was
frequently engaged as an expert witness in high-profile contract
arbitration disputes.
In my early fifties, I was appointed Chief Economist of RWE
AG, Germany's largest power generator. This entailed leading a
team to prepare the forecasts used for investment and
contracting decisions and providing other advice to the Board.
Towards the end of my time there, I was asked by the Chairman
to establish connections with leading Think Tanks in other
European countries and the USA in order to identify policy
trends which could become important in the countries where
RWE was operating.
Now, as Professor of Energy Economics and Policy, I bring my
experience to bear on the current challenges facing Germany
and Europe and also seek to inspire students to work in this
sector. I belong to the inter-disciplinary Centre for
Environmental Management, Resources and Energy CURE.
Alongside my academic role, I am also engaged as a guest
speaker at company events or international conferences, where
I seek to think outside the box and also to bring some necessary
reality to current energy policies and targets. These speeches
rely heavily on my cross-discipline background and knowledge
of developments across a range of countries and energy types.
60 | February 2024

Tell us about the inception of the Ruhr University
Bochum. How did it all start?
The Ruhr University was established in the 1960s as part of
the major post-war expansion of tertiary education. It lies
around #15 in the ranking and is notable for its austere
concrete architecture, which stands in stark contrast to the
beautiful buildings in Oxford, where I studied. The
government at the time considered education was a great
privilege and students should not be spoiled by the quality
of their buildings!
What has made you successful? What do you value?
Several factors have contributed. First, I was fortunate to
attend a very good private school with particularly good
mathematics teaching, which provides such an important
background for science and economics and teaches very
rigorous thinking.
Second the combination of technological and business
education gave me some unique insights into energy
challenges.
Third, I have been very persistent and opportunistic. As an
energy consultant, I travelled widely across Europe and the
US, always to learn as much as I could and be able to
inform clients of developments in other countries which
could be relevant to them.
Which are the major services of the Ruhr University
Bochum and how do the company to get ahead in the
competition? What value-added services does the
company provide?
The Ruhr University is a multi-faculty institution covering
science, engineering, economics, medicine, law and other
social sciences. Its inter-disciplinary capabilities are a
particular source of strength.
What are the most important aspects of a Ruhr
University Bochum's culture? What principles do you
believe in and how do you build this culture?
The main aspects are:
Ÿ striving for high academic standards, which can be
measured i.a. by publication success.
Ÿ inspiring students and treating them fairly, avoiding any
kind of discrimination.
What is the signiﬁcance of innovative ideas in the Ruhr
University Bochum?
Innovative ideas can lead to successful publications, but
more importantly, to new inventions or concepts that can be
applied to improve society and solve current problems.
Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily
on individual heroics or team processes.
It is both. Successful organisations need their share of star
players, who, in the case of universities, may be brilliant
thinkers or highly creative individuals. But teamwork is
also important so that the whole is more productive than
merely the sum of the parts.
What are your responsibilities as the Professor of the
company? What is the happiest part of your daily
routine?
I hold a series of lectures for M.Sc. students on Advanced
Energy Economics, Policy, and Technology and supervise
projects that I design to analyse current energy and
environmental problems. In addition, I seek to publish
academic papers and guest articles in quality newspapers.
What advice would you give someone going into a
leadership position for the ﬁrst time?
Be very clear about your strategy—what you want your
team to achieve and how to do so. Seek to bring the best out
of your team members and plan carefully how you will
allocate their tasks. Inspire and encourage them and make
the environment a place of fun which team members look
forward to every day. Also, be willing to take tough
decisions, including dealing fairly but robustly with
underperformers.

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