The industrial sector is in the midst of an unprecedented transformation, fueled by digitalization and with automation at its core. It offers companies tremendous opportunities to unlock additional value and enables more efficient, more productive and safer operations throughout the asset lifecycle. Moreover, it is paving the way towards more autonomous operations. Our lunchtime panel discussed this transformation – both the opportunities and challenges that it brings in industrial automation environments.

Moderator: Morten Wierod, President Motion Business, ABB
Panelists:
Peter Terwiesch, President Industrial Automation Business, ABB
Michael Wiebe, COO, Krones
Richard Mortimer, VP Global Projects, BP
Guido Jouret, Chief Digital Officer, ABB

The ways in which electricity is generated, distributed, and consumed are changing radically. Renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, are ramping up, and the grid is becoming increasingly digital and decentralized. This lunchtime panel provides insight into how these interwoven trends will play out and what the implications are for electricity utilities and their customers. We discussed the integration of conventional and renewable energy sources, the adoption of smarter energy management practices, the role of digital substations and microgrids and the emergence of self-reliant "prosumers" – individuals who produce and use their own energy.

Moderator: Rob Massoudi, ABB GVP, Digital Transformation
Panelists:
Claudio Facchin, President Power Grids Business, ABB
Joe Kava, VP Data Centers, Google
Gary Hayes, CIO & VP Information Technology, CenterPoint
Charles McConnell, Former DOE Assistant Secretary of Energy