Jürgen, what were the main reasons for you to work with Aeon Consulting Group?

That’s a comparable easy question. Deciding for me was the professionalism and the high quality of standards in all areas. Methods and approaches as well as the value system of Aeon Consulting Group match exactly my expectation of high-quality consulting services. My first impression was confirmed by the corporate culture. The strategic commitment of Aeon Consulting Group was also a crucial factor for my decision.

Jürgen, how do you see your development in the Energy sector and what fascinates you about this branch?

Up to know I had the chance to work for different market participants within the natural gas and power industry. Projects for different market roles are necessary to understand the whole market. At the end of my professional career I want to have accomplished projects for all different market roles.
Due to interdependencies between natural gas and power markets it is very important for me to regularly work with both commodities. This is also valid for different countries given the fact that behavior of energy markets is strongly influenced by local circumstances and regulations, even within the same functional discipline.
Due to the necessary specialization as expert in the energy industry, working in different countries with different commodities is hard to manage. But I’m optimistic that we can achieve this goal together at Aeon Consulting Group.
The dynamic of energy markets and therefore subsequent challenges make the energy sector fascinating for me. Additional aspects are the variety of market roles and associated business needs and strategies.

What questions about the Energy sector concern you at the moment?

Based on my long lasting experience with system operators, primarily the implementation of the Third Energy Package within the Austrian natural gas market. The definition of network codes is currently in full swing and the final version of the market model is not defined yet. The switch from Point-to-Point model to Entry/Exit model as well as fundamental changes in the balancing- and capacity model are major challenges for Austrian system operators.
The compensation of missing supply due to shutdown of nuclear power plants in Germany combined with the current spark spread and the rising power production by renewable sources will occupy the energy industry in the next years. Subsequent changes in marketing strategies and the necessary development of infrastructure are also interesting questions.

In your view what are the necessary market changes that the industry representatives should make?

From my point of view this question cannot be answered generally. Relevant market changes are individual for each market participant. Basically this question depends on the respective portfolio and therefore on market, commodity as well as the specific market role.
Market participants in the Austrian natural gas market face changes in the balancing and capacity model. In general, the planned standardization with the help of network codes and framework guidelines for the single European market will affect all market participants.
The Turkish market is growing comparatively fast and shows great potential. The further development of the PMUM Day Ahead market, stamp duties, planned steps in privatization and regular updates of the network codes are relevant market changes.
For network operators in Germany the shutdown of nuclear power plants in combination with increasing decentralized production is one of the relevant market changes.
Market participants in the Romanian natural gas market face a new version of the network code. The fact that fees for balancing come into force is only one of the relevant market changes. Changes in the basket-model confront market participants regularly with new challenges.
Establishment and development of trading platforms and exchanges in CEE, pipeline projects, the claimed wholesales passport, national legislation as well as shale gas exploration and production, just to name a few, keep the whole energy industry busy.
I think the given examples fortify the statement at the beginning of the question and reflect the dynamic of energy markets.

Jürgen Mayerhofer

Senior expert in the Industrial Management Unit, specialisation in energy economics in the course of the full liberalisation of the Austrian natural gas market (2002), extensive experience in natural gas and power markets in CSEE, consulting services for internationally operating utilities and energy trading companies, accredited EEX Spot & Derivatives Market Trader, experience in management of complex IT projects for various market participants (trading companies, utilities, system operators, storage operators), planning and implementation of IT tender procedures, degree in project management, certified requirements engineer, professional experience as business analyst, project manager and solution architect in the energy sector.