Powering the Future: Energy Flexibility & Trading for Industry
As energy prices continue to rise and the shift to renewable energy accelerates, industrial companies are challenged: cut costs, reduce emissions while remaining agile. What many companies are now discovering is that energy flexibility and trading are no longer optional – they are becoming core to competitive strategy.
With this workshop, we bring together industry leaders, energy suppliers and system operators in Genk to explore how manufacturers can turn these pressures into opportunities. The focus is on realistic strategies to use energy smarter and trade it more effectively, transforming energy from a fixed cost into a flexible asset.
Programme
12:00 | Registration and lunch
13:00 | Smarter energy, smarter business: Turning Flexibility into a Competitive Advantage
Energy is no longer just a cost – it is an opportunity. As the energy landscape shifts towards decentralisation and volatility, companies that embrace energy flexibility and trading can gain a competitive advantage. From demand response to peer-to-peer energy trading, this section explores how companies can turn energy management into a strategic advantage.
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- Filip Vercauteren, Thor Park
- Joris Van Valckenborg, Agoria
- Patrick De Vos, Flux50
- Helena Gerard, EnergyVille/VITO
- Peter Lesage, VLAIO
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13:45 | Adapting key production processes
Industrial energy sources are evolving, but not all production processes are. Smart flexibility solutions unlock new efficiencies. From compressed air systems to precision machining, energy-intensive processes can be optimised to respond to market signals, reduce costs and enable energy trading.
In this section, experts show how four major energy consumers – compressed air, injection moulding, CNC machining and electric vehicle charging – can be made more flexible. Learn how automation, intelligent control systems and demand response can turn these processes into strategic assets for industrial energy management.
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- Margot Gutscoven, Atlas Copco
- Karel Bronselaer, Pluon on KS-Metaalwerken
- Thomas Nagels, BOOLEAN on FacThory
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14:30 | Break
15:00 | EMS: Process & infrastructure working together
Energy flexibility is no longer a vision of the future – it is happening now. Across industries, manufacturers and technology suppliers are working together to transform energy-intensive production processes into smart, responsive systems that adapt to market signals and trading opportunities.
In this series of presentations, leading manufacturing companies and technology providers share real-life case studies on how they have implemented demand-side flexibility, energy storage and trading mechanisms. From automated load shifting to AI-driven energy optimisation, discover the technologies and strategies that are making the industry more competitive, cost-efficient and sustainable.
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- Joris Van Mechelen, Solarpro on REMB
- Pallieter Muyldermans, BEE HIVE
- Sebastiaan Baeck & Wim Verschuren, Bnewable on Steengoed
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16:00 | Innovation on the horizon
As industries adapt to an evolving energy landscape, new models, technologies and partnerships are shaping the next era of energy flexibility and trading. The future lies in smart energy hubs, CO₂-driven energy markets and innovative demand reduction strategies that empower both large companies and SMEs.
In this closing session, leading experts from EnergyVille will share cutting-edge insights on the future of energy management.
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- Kris Kessels, EnergyVille / VITO on sector integration
- Bart Vermang, EnergyVille / UHasselt on Einsteintelescope
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16:30 | Network reception
17:30 | End
Partners
