At Zeche Zollverein ECOTEC gives an insight into innovative environmental technologies
Within the framework of the German EU Council Presidency, German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel will chair an informal meeting of EU environment ministers in Essen on 1-3 June, 2007. On this occasion the German Environment Ministry has organised "ECOTEC – The Knowledge Market for Environmental Technologies" at Zeche Zollverein. "Climate protection, secure energy supply and the efficient use of our finite resources are among the world's greatest challenges today. These challenges can only be met if we restructure industrial society", outlined Matthias Machnig, State Secretary at the German Environment Ministry, in Essen today.
The theme of the informal meeting of EU environment ministers is: "Environment, Innovation, Employment". Upon invitation of Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel, who is also Chairman of the EU Environment Council, environment ministers from the EU, candidate countries and EFTA states (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland) will participate in the meeting. EU Commissioners Stavros Dimas and Günter Verheugen, Achim Steiner, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and publicist Jeremy Rifkin will also participate in the talks.
Matthias Machnig: "We will have to develop new technologies in Germany and in Europe to use existing energy sources more efficiently. In areas such as mobility, water management, life cycle management and in the renewable energy sector we need a further surge in innovation. This will also lead to opportunities for industry and employment. It is our goal to send a strong signal in Essen for a European ecological industrial policy".
Up to 100 companies and research institutes from Germany and Europe are expected to exhibit latest developments and products at the Essen ECOTEC. The exhibition thus offers an excellent opportunity for experts from industry and research to get into close contact with political decision-makers from all over Europe.
At the same time ECOTEC will make it possible for citizens to obtain information on how to become actively involved in environmental and climate protection. Companies, environment authorities, energy agencies and research institutes will offer expert advice and information.
Moreover, ECOTEC offers an opportunity to experience technological innovation at first hand. Among the exhibits displayed will be a solar obelisk and a spectacular trough collector, with a height of 8 meters and a weight of 6 tonnes, for a parabolic trough solar power plant. This is currently the most efficient system worldwide for electricity generation from solar energy, a system developed with the support of the German Environment Ministry. Completely CO2-free solar scooters will be available that can be refuelled at a solar filling station set up on the premises. Hybrid drives and fuel cell technology will be demonstrated as well as power transmission from offshore wind power plants to the mainland. Additional technologies exhibited will include the latest soot particle traps for diesel passenger cars and CO2-free coal power plant models.
On 1 June 2007 ECOTEC will focus on young people: An information event targeting students and focussing on education will provide an opportunity for young people to obtain information on their potential career opportunities in the booming environment technology sector. Workshops will provide information about how to set up student companies and there will be an award for the best environment ideas submitted by such companies. In addition there will be a multi-vision show on climate change, thematic tours through the exhibition and a multi-facetted entertainment programme.
On 1 June at Zeche Zollverein the German Environment Ministry will also launch a campaign geared to raising the awareness of young people for climate protection. Environment Minister Gabriel and the band "No Angels" will attend this launch. As "Environment Angels" the band has agreed to take on the artistic patronage of the campaign entitled: "Jugend mit unendlicher Energie - meine Umweltidee! (Youth with infinite energy - my idea for the environment)". It calls upon young people in Germany to discuss the opportunities and challenges of climate protection in a video community.
Technology meets culture on 2 June within the framework of "ExtraSchicht – der langen Nacht der Industriekultur (Night of Industrial Heritage)" with events in 40 venues in the Ruhr district, inter alia at Zeche Zollverein. Matthias Machnig: "This unique combination of an Environment Ministers' Meeting, the ECOTEC exhibition and ExtraSchicht will contribute to making the vision of an ecological industrial society visible to a broad public." ECOTEC will also be open all day on 3 June.