A cold wave had gripped Europe early last month, the continent shivering under its spell, with sub-zero temperatures of varying degrees that also took a toll by the hundreds from the ranks of the less privileged. On the morning of 1st February 2012 though, the outside temperature was not an issue with the 80-odd journalists assembled at the Convention Centre of the Hannover Fair Grounds, gathered from all parts of the world for the preview of Hannover Messe 2012 (April 23-27, 2012), the world's leading showcase for industrial technology. With 50 companies representing cutting edge technologies offering a sneak preview of what visitors from all around the globe could expect to see at the main event, the atmosphere was charged with excitement as the media persons, many of them regulars at the Messe, exchanged notes and pleasantries. While experts continue to debate and speculate on the reasons behind the change in weather patterns resulting in extreme low or high temperatures and floods caused by excess rains in many parts of the world, the threat posed by greenhouse gases is very real. Sustainability and efficiency are increasingly at the centre of industrial development around the world. The world needs to address some real problems - energy and economic, scarcity of raw materials, rapid urbanisation and changing demographics, albeit with different results across geographies - that call for urgent solutions, some of which could be addressed by the right technologies. Growing awareness means that today's investors favour enterprises that use sustainable and efficient technologies.

To keep climate change at bay, the developed nations must succeed in drastically reducing greenhouse gases and replacing fossil fuels with alternative energy sources. Demand for fossil fuels is soaring around the world. The rapidly growing economies in China, Russia, India and elsewhere are extremely energy-hungry. Rising coal consumption, in particular, is driving greenhouse gas emissions further upward. Fossil energy use is often subsidised, which promotes energy waste.

The official motto of Hannover Messe 2012 is "greentelligence", and it will be a theme recurring for all the shows at the event. "The exhibitors at all eight flagship fairs to be featured under the umbrella of Hannover Messe will demonstrate that an intelligent mix of efficient processes, eco-friendly materials and sustainable products is critical to survival in today's highly competitive, dynamic international markets," said Dr Wolfram von Fritsch, Chairman of the Managing Board at Deutsche Messe, offering an overview of what awaits visitors at this year's edition of the fair.

Electric motors, for example, offer enormous scope for boosting energy efficiency. According to estimates by the Association of German Engineers (VDI), some 300 million electric motors are currently in use around the world - a number that is said to be rising by 10 per cent each year. The VDI believes that energy consumption in industrial operations can be reduced by as much as 30 per cent through the use of intelligent energy automation systems, modern energy transmission technologies and state-of-the-art electrical engineering components. According to the VDI, the demand-side savings will come from variable-speed drives. The latest expert analyses indicate that the use of these kinds of intelligent motor control systems can potentially save some 1.7 billion kWh of electricity worldwide the equivalent of the annual output of 290 nuclear reactors.

Given the growing importance of sustainable efficiency, it is only apt that the organisers have included in the eight shows a new flagship fair dedicated to the very theme, IndustrialGreenTec, where companies will present state-of-the-art solutions, processes, machines and energy efficiency concepts that help industrial enterprises change over to "green production systems". The new addition is a platform for efficiency solutions that are developed by industry for industry. Its keynote themes include environmentally compatible production processes, the circular economy and recycling, systems for the efficient use of renewable energy and renewable materials, and solutions for measuring and monitoring pollutants and harmful substances. "IndustrialGreenTec is the perfect complement to the array of themes covered at Hannover Messe, and its debut is extremely timely given this year's keynote theme of `greentelligence'," said von Fritsch.

The keynote during the preview presentation delivered by Dr Claudia Kemfert of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) made some very interesting observations, which were obviously from the German perspective, but are equally valid for the world at large. In the present scenario, Germany's energy composition is 40% coal, 20% gas, 20% nuclear and 20% green or renewable. With its stated policy of doing away with nuclear power generation in 20 years and raising the renewable component of energy to 80 per cent, the German government has launched its energy transition, which presents huge challenges, but also offers enormous opportunity. A smart energy transition can be a catalyst for growth.

But there are serious concerns expressed from some quarters, especially about the ability of the country to afford to implement such a radical energy transition in times of economic and financial turbulence. Fears of blackouts and exploding energy costs and consequently businesses fleeing the country are being expressed. But while the financial crisis is in fact currently overshadowing the necessary changes occurring for the energy transition, the latter is nonetheless proceeding at a steady pace, particularly expansion of renewable energies, and new power plant capacity is being added to replace nuclear energy. Barring some adjustments, renewable energies are also continuing to expand thanks to continued subsidies under the renewable energies act. Subsidy rates for photovoltaics have been trimmed to control costs, but there are correspondingly higher financial incentives for expanding wind energy and biomass fuels, the cornerstones of the planned energy transition.

But, according to Dr Kemfert, concerns about exploding energy prices are exaggerated: there are just as many factors trending towards reduced as towards higher prices. Even the financial burden for energy-intensive industries is counteracted by policies allowing for exceptions, such as the purchase of emissions certificates, or paying the renewable energies levy or eco-tax. Nonetheless, the financial crisis could hit the energy transition where it counts, by slowing necessary infrastructure investments: from "power highways" for transporting electricity generated by wind energy from north to south to "power roads" connecting Germany with Europe, and distribution grids that optimise the interface between power supply and demand. Dr Kemfert elaborated upon five key points to consider:

• Expanding power grids and storage, as well as optimising grids to manage demand
• Creating appropriate regulations and conditions
• Promoting energy efficiency.
• Societal acceptance - need to get over the 'NIMBY' (Not In My Back Yard) syndrome, and
• Creating an Energy Ministry or suitable institution to implement the change management process.

Hannover Messe 2012 - Eight Flagship Events

One of the largest exhibitions in the world, spread over 1,50,000 sq.m, and with exhibitors amounting to 6,500 from over 65 countries, Hannover Messe 2012, with more world firsts on display and more integrated solutions than elsewhere, has been divided into eight prime categories. These include: Industrial Automation (Halls 7-9, 11, 14-17), Energy (Halls 11-13, 27, FG), MobiliTec (Hall 25, FG), Digital Factory (Hall 7), Industrial Supply (Halls 3-6), CoilTechnica (Hall 25), Industrial GreenTec (Hall 26, with Metropolitan Solutions), and Research and Technology (Hall 2).

Industrial Automation will include process, factory and building automation systems and solutions. Energy will include renewable and conventional power generation, power supply transmission, distribution and storage. MobiliTec will include hybrid and electric powertrain technologies, mobile energy storage and alternate mobility solutions. Digital Factory will include integrated processes and IT solutions. Industrial Supply will include industrial subcontracting and lightweight construction. CoilTechnica will include coil winding electric motor, generator and transformer technology. Industrial GreenTec will include environmental technologies. Research & Development will include research, development and technology transfer.

Then there is Metropolitan Solutions, a novel concept introduced for the first time last year. Metropolitan Solutions seeks to showcase Urban Infrastructure Technologies. Issues such as globalisation, climate change and urbanisation pose a huge challenge to cities and metropolitan regions. To master these challenges it will be necessary to extend and upgrade the existing infrastructure - above all, in the areas of energy, water/sewage, mobility and climate protection. Hall 26 will host an impressive array of exhibits, plus a forum consisting of keynotes, lectures and panel discussions. The focus here will be on technology, planning and funding issues, with special reference to integrated urban concepts, smart urban utility networks and financing packages for metropolitan areas and operators. Metropolitan Solutions has close interrelationship with five of the four flagship shows - IndustrialGreenTec, Industrial Automation, Energy, MobiliTec and Reasearch & Technology.

China - The Partner Country

China is the Partner Country at Hannover Messe 2012, and it is expected to put a massive show of its economic and technological prowess, befitting its status as the manufacturing centre of the world. Chinese enterprises are represented at all the flagship shows that make up Hannover Messe, as well as at all the forums, congresses and evening events. More than 500 Chinese companies had exhibited at the 2011 edition, and this figure is expected to increase significantly in 2012. "China's Partner Country showcase will focus on intelligent manufacturing processes, sustainable energy generation, intelligent electricity grids and eMobility. Hannover Messe will enable our Chinese partners to put the spotlight on the dramatic changes taking place in the Chinese economy and develop new markets," explained von Fritsch. China will showcase its capabilities in this area under the heading "green + intelligence". This ties in directly with the thematic motto of this year's Hannover Messe: "greentelligence". Thanks to its renewed emphasis on "green" technology, China has become even more attractive for foreign investment, also from Germany.

On 22 April 2012 the Premier of the People's Republic of China, Wen Jiabao, will open Hannover Messe together with the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr Angela Merkel. The Chinese Head of Government made an announcement to this effect during Chancellor Merkel's two-day visit to Beijing, which incidentally happened just the after the preview programme at Hannover. The fact that Wen Jiabao accepted the German Government's official invitation to attend and open the world's most important showcase for industrial technology shows how serious China is in promoting its technology on the global stage. von Fritsch was a member of the business delegation accompanying the Chancellor during this visit. "We are extremely pleased about Premier Wen Jiabao's decision," von Fritsch said in Beijing. "Hannover Messe will provide an excellent opportunity for China to present its economic transformation to an international audience and at the same time unlock new sources of market potential. Thanks to the strong development in its domestic economy, the People's Republic has become a major partner for western industry in numerous high-tech sectors."

For decision makers in the engineering and manufacturing industries as well as infrastructure sectors, not to forget policy makers, a visit to the 65th edition of Hannover Messe might as well provide the breakthrough they are looking for! (Reported by Milton D'Silva who attended the preview at Hannover, the visit sponsored by the organisers, with additional inputs from press releases issued on the occasion)