A worker in a hard hat speaking to a woman at a smart power distribution facility.

Salzburg | April 28-29, 2026

Spannung in Salzburg

The conference on electrification and automation at the Imlauer Hotel Pitter in Salzburg.

"Driving forward the energy transition with certainty"

Technology for the transformation of energy systems

In 2026, things were exciting again in Salzburg :
Increasingly complex technology, demanding framework conditions, and the comprehensive protection of people, data, and the environment – the energy transition presents us with a multitude of challenges. To succeed in this demanding environment in the long term, we need innovative solutions, in-depth expertise, and strong collaborations. Digitalization plays a crucial role in this. "Driving the Energy Transition Forward with Certainty" was the motto of this year's conference.

Program 2026

The program featured a wide range of technical and guest lectures, a stimulating panel discussion, and valuable insights gained through direct interaction with our experts. We explored current topics, provided insights into practical application examples, and showcased our latest product innovations

Time	Program on Tuesday, April 28
from 11:00 am	Event Check-in & Hands-on Technology Experience
12:00	Welcome Lunch & Networking
1:00 pm	Welcome & Introduction Robert Tesch, Head of Business Unit Electrification & Automation
1:15 pm	Rethinking energy systems: The power of flexibility Michael Weinhold, Head of Technology & Innovation Department
1:45 pm	Practical example of installed hybrid power plants (wind, PV, and battery) Meike Gelhart, Project Development, PÜSPÖK Renewable Energy GmbH Manfred Haslinger, Head of Sales, Secondary Systems Business, Eastern Region
2:05 pm	Protection technology of the future: keeping pace with the times with SIPROTEC Georg Korger, Head of Protection Technology
2:30 pm	Coffee Break & Networking
3:15 pm	Energy automation of tomorrow: SICAM innovations for modern network solutions Markus Böhm, Product Portfolio Manager
3:35 pm	Cyber security in energy supply: A report from the field Georg Pichler, Cyber Security Specialist Operational Technology, Austrian Power Grid AG Walter Wutzl, Head of Sales for Protection and Automation
3:55 pm	Revolution in grid planning and asset management Stephan Brandl, Head of Grid Development, KNG-Kärnten Netz GmbH Werner Brandauer, Head of Power Systems Consulting
4:15 pm	Rest stop of the future: Expansion of e-mobility for Austria Kurt Hans Portschy, Electrical and Mechanical Equipment Regional Manager EAST, ASFINAG Franziska Diestel, Head of Software and Digitalization
4:35 pm	Summary and conclusion of Day 1
4:45 pm	End of Presentations
6 pm	Our hands-on technology experience ends for today.
from 6:30 pm	Enjoy a Relaxing Dinner at the PitterKeller A cult favorite for over 150 years: the PitterKeller is not only one of the oldest beer cellars in the city, it's a Salzburg institution! The first glass of beer was served here on May 1, 1865.

Time	Program on Wednesday, April 29
8:30 am	Hands-on technology until 2:30 p.m.
9:00 am	Welcome Day 2 Keynote: The biology behind AI From stone tools to ChatGPT—can Homo sapiens achieve this? Gregor Fauma, behavioral scientist and evolutionary biologist specializing in neurophysiology and artificial intelligence
10:00 am	Coffee Break & Networking
10:30 am	Storage with added value: Theiß large-scale battery as a successful project Daniel Berthold, Project Manager Large Battery Storage Theiß, EVN Wärmekraftwerke GmbH Thomas Köck, Project Management Large Battery Storage Theiß, EVN Wärmekraftwerke GmbH
10:50 am	Energy innovation in Aspern: ASCR projects from Seestadt Sabine Kubicek, Specialist for Research and Energy Technology, Wiener Netze GmbH Andreas Wöhrer, Innovation Manager
11:10 am	Globally sustainable: projects with practical relevance Markus Wallinger, Head of Electrification & Automation, Central Region Erich Wurzenberger, Sales Manager, Power Automation, Central & Western Region
11:45 am	Coffee Break & Networking
12:15 pm	Panel Discussion: “Powering up – Sustainability meets practice” Panelists: Stefan Kovacs, Head of Planning, Construction and Asset Management, Flughafen Wien AG Claus Salzmann, Founder and Owner, ETS – Claus Salzmann, Electrical Engineering Consultancy Martin Teufel, Manager Energy Innovation & Solutions, Welser Profile GmbH Host: Christoph Bauer, Ecosystem & Sustainability Manager, Siemens AG Österreich
1:05 pm	Siemens Power Academy: New features and training program Paul Deinhofer, Head of Customer Service
1:20 pm	Summary and closing remarks Robert Tesch, Head of Business Unit Electrification & Automation
1:30 pm	Lunch & Networking
2:30 pm	Our hands-on technology section is coming to an end

Show technology

100% innovative technology you can touch.

The demands on our networks are becoming increasingly challenging. We need innovative products that combine the advantages of digitalization and sustainability. Our experts would like to thank you for your interest!

Technologies that are sure to offer real added value:
In our accompanying exhibition, we showed you innovative protection devices, substation automation applications for microgrids and renewable energies, our versatile Multipurpose Automation Box (MAB) and our SF6-free 8DJH 24 blue GIS switchgear. We also presented Electrification X, our scalable IoT software-as-a-service suite for intelligent energy network management.

Looking back: Spannung in Salzburg 2026 in pictures

Our photo gallery and event video allow you to review this year's conference.

For those who were there, the photos and video serve as a memento of two varied and inspiring days in Salzburg.
For everyone else, they might inspire you to join us at our future events.

To the photos

Eventvideo Spannung in Salzburg 2026