Entfesselt Europa!

Europe has shackled itself, its citizens and its companies – sometimes un­necessarily. In international ­competition, it is now important to release the brakes. Only then can the continent realise its full potential. And continue to play at eye-level worldwide.

Dr Barbara Frei is convinced the EU has enormous strengths, but they need to be put to better use. In an interview the Executive Vice President Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric argues that technologies for implementing the energy transition need to be promoted just as much as an ecosystem for start-ups. For her, the EU is the basis for a successful future if it develops long-term strategies that lead to further automation, digitalisation and therefore also more energy efficiency in industry, but also in the building sector.

The geopolitical environment and sprawling bureaucracy are challenging Europe. Reinhard Bütikofer, Member of the European Parliament, and ZVEI President Dr Gunther Kegel talk about the state of the EU and its future prospects in an ampere interview.

Silke Sichter, who is responsible for China affairs at ZVEI, took part in a training programme run by the Business Council for Democracy. In an interview with her trainer Gilda Sahebi, she talks about digital experiences with hate speech, disinformation and conspiracy narratives.

Dr. habil Tassilo Schuster und Lara Schmidt vom Fraunhofer-Institut für Integrierte Schaltungen IIS sind im Projekt „Reallabor Antrieb 4.0“ für die Leitung des ersten Arbeitspakets verantwortlich (Analyse von Anwendungsszenarien und Erhebung von Anforderungen an eine modulare Serviceplattform im Ökosystem Antrieb 4.0). Mit ampere sprachen sie über die Idee hinter dem Projekt und den aktuellen Stand.

Two power cables already connect Norway with Germany and the Netherlands respectively. From 2030, sustainable hydrogen will also flow through a pipeline to Germany.

As managing partner of Elschukom GmbH in Veilsdorf (Thuringia), Ute Poerschke is increasingly struggling with bureaucracy in Brussels. Nevertheless, she is not an EU sceptic - because as an entrepreneur and citizen, she also sees the opportunities that a united Europe offers her.

Kerstin Jorna heads the European Commission's Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (GROW). The influence of EU member states on international standardisation is an important concern for her. She would like to see more experts from the member states represented on international committees.