The announcement of GE’s $200 million challenge to find new ideas and technologies to accelerate the progress of smart grids was launched with fanfare in Munich. The challenge is looking for entrepreneurs and innovators from across Europe and around the world. See the highlights of the event here:

The launch of the $200 million ecomagination challenge for smart grids was followed by a debate about the use of renewable energy and technologies. Watch the highlights here:

Rich Hudson, CEO of Science Business, explains why Europe needs to change if it is to stay competitive globally. He describes why the GE challenge is a galvanising force for change and a message to European policy makers.

Antoine Harary, Director of Strategy One, explains the pressure currently being put on innovators to solve Europe’s economic problems.

Gina Domanig, Managing Partner of Emerald Technology Ventures, explains why partnerships can really help small ventures to grow and why GE and Emerald Technology Ventures can offer real added value to the competition entrants.

Tore Land, Director ecomagination EMEA for GE, explains that he is hoping for high-quality submissions to accelerate technological innovation in smart grids.

This is the moment when GE and Emerald Technology Ventures announced that they will be putting in place US$200 million of venture capital to help increase the speed of develop of grids. The event, in Munich, hopes to combine innovators, entrepreneurs, industrial expertise and GE. Watch the full announcement here:

Wiktor Raldow, Head of Unit in DG Research of the European Commission, discusses the Strategic Energy Development Plan and the EU’s 20/20/20 goals.

Professor Raymond Wyss, KTH Stockholm, discusses some of the issues holding Europe back from making even more developments and innovative breakthroughs. He explains why Europe needs to further develop smart grids if aims of sustainable energy are to become real.