In a time of economic hesitation and climate urgency, the Energy Cluster Denmark Annual Assembly offered a powerful temperature check for Europe’s green energy trajectory.

Held 7- 8 May, the event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and experts to delve into the future of energy technologies and sustainability. This year's event showcased a diverse array of field trips and thought-provoking panels, highlighting the cutting-edge advancements and pivotal discussions shaping the energy sector.

For companies building digital infrastructure, managing large-scale energy systems, or investing in PtX innovation, this event signals what’s next — and what’s stalled — in the energy transition.

Day 1 - Field Trips: Unveiling Innovations

Participants embarked on insightful field trips to key players in Denmark's energy ecosystem, offering firsthand experiences with groundbreaking technologies shaping the sector.

Key Highlights:

• SubC Partner demonstrated their robotic crawler, its applications and possibilities in and above the splash zone as well as subsea for the offshoring industry, showcasing its dual capabilities in diving and IoT technological prowess.

• Semco Maritime provided a glimpse into innovative large-scale energy infrastructure, underscoring their commitment to advancing sustainable solutions.

• European Energy presented cutting-edge remote-controlled energy storage solutions on hydrogen fuelling that are pushing the boundaries of efficiency and sustainability.

• RelyOn showcased their critical safety solutions and training facilities for crane operators, fire fighting and chemical containment, crucial for industries operating in safety-critical environments off and onshore.

These innovations point to growing convergence between physical operations and real-time digital control, a direction that demands robust, integrated systems design.

Day 2- Annual assembly: Strategy Meets Reality

Day two kicked off with a panel discussion, featuring industry leaders from TotalEnergies, Gridturn, Stiesdal, and European Energy. Each explored how to navigate the complex road from technological innovation to commercial-scale execution.

Core Themes:

• Power-to-X (PtX) and Bio Solutions: Panellists emphasised the potential of PtX technologies in transforming excess renewable energy into valuable products like ammonia and contributing to a circular economy.

• Electrification and Storage: There was broad agreement on the importance of sector-wide electrification, underpinned by advanced battery reuse, and hydrogen storage to meet future energy demands sustainably.

For energy tech leaders, these trends highlight the growing demand for flexible infrastructure and predictive monitoring systems.

Keynotes: Insights and Challenges

Throughout the event, keynote speakers delivered profound insights into sustainability and digital innovations in the energy sector:

• Keynote on Sustainability: Professor Morten O. A. Sommer underscored via facts and math the critical role of individual choices in environmental impact, urging all at a personal level to be aware and consider the broader implications of our decisions, from our food choices to how we travel and consume.

• Digital Energy Systems and Cybersecurity: Trifork, Cedar Heat and Alexandra Instituttet addressed the evolving landscape of digital energy systems, emphasising the importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding critical infrastructure and how the political landscape is becoming an enemy of their own positive thoughts.

• Global Perspectives on Energy: Former diplomat Friis Arne Petersen provided a geopolitical provocative perspective on global energy dynamics, highlighting the interconnectedness of energy and trade policies and international relations. Particularly, the current world situation and trade war initiated by the US is silently prompting allies to seek new ways. Friis was clear and direct, backed by history and numerous facts.

• Towards a Greener Future: The assembly concluded with thought-provoking debates on Denmark's climate efforts and the challenges ahead. Despite economic uncertainties, panellists expressed optimism about Denmark's green energy and climate initiatives, highlighting ongoing projects and future prospects in renewable energy.

• Investment and Innovation: Discussions underscored the need for continued investment in green technologies and the importance of innovation in driving sustainable development.

Together, these talks underscored a critical truth: energy technology does not operate in isolation. It’s shaped — and sometimes constrained — by political, economic, and social systems that shift rapidly.

Final Debate: Between Optimism and Urgency

Several speakers, particularly in the closing panels, highlighted the slowdown we are now witnessing across green energy projects. The economic situation has led to postponed investment decisions. There’s a sense of being caught in a holding pattern. Projects are ready, technologies are maturing, but the capital is waiting. As one participant put it, “green energy development is standing still right now.”

That doesn’t mean progress has stopped. In fact, many of the solutions; PtX, hydrogen, energy storage and more are ready to scale within the next five years. But timing and financing remain the bottlenecks. The industrial green agenda is real, but not always as urgent or ambitious as the climate demands.

In the final debate, the representative from the Youth Climate Council voiced a clear concern: that the current pace and seriousness of the green transition do not match the scale of the environmental crisis. It’s not enough to promise innovation or export ambitions if the fundamentals, emissions, biodiversity, and climate equity aren’t taken seriously here and now. There’s still a gap between the optimism of industry and the urgency of the climate.

Strategic Takeaways for Energy Tech Leaders

For technical decision-makers in energy and clean tech, three key signals stood out:

• Technology is not the bottleneck; investment timing and regulatory clarity are.

• Cybersecurity and infrastructure automation are now foundational.

• Energy partnerships will become more regional, as geopolitical volatility forces localised innovation ecosystems.

Final Thought: Innovation Isn’t the Issue. Execution Is.

The Energy Cluster’s annual assembly didn’t offer easy answers. But it did what it should; it brought decision-makers closer to the ground truth of energy innovation, policy, and implementation.

Standing at the port, watching heavy infrastructure come together, you’re reminded that transition isn’t just a strategy. It’s a long, messy, hands-on build. One that requires both bold moves and a bit more honesty.

The companies that move first, invest wisely, and digitise intelligently will define the future of energy.

Wirtek’s Role: Building What’s Next

At Wirtek, we support energy tech leaders accelerate their digital innovation. From energy software development to secure energy IoT systems or smart grid control systems, we help companies bridge the gap between concept and deployment.