• H2020
• Societal Challenges
• Climate Action

KIC InnoEnergy, the innovation engine for sustainable energy across Europe, has appointed new innovators in Poland and Germany in an attempt to bring eastern and western Europe closer.

Jakub Miler is the new CEO and Marcin Lewenstein has been appointed as clean coal and gas thematic leader in Poland, while Dr Roland Doll takes on the role of business manager for innovation projects in Germany.

Miler said: “The energy industry in Europe has come a long way to harness the powers of innovation – but there is still much to be done. This new role will allow me to make use of KIC InnoEnergy’s fantastic European network to show the West the potential that exists in the East, and to provide opportunities for eastern European start-ups across the continent.”

Lewenstein added: “After COP21 people believe that coal will quickly decline, but you can’t just turn it off like a switch. Coal will have a role to play in Europe for a while yet; it is up to us to find the best innovations to make sure that this role is carried out as sustainably as possible.”

“This is an exciting time to be joining KIC InnoEnergy and to be bringing my knowledge of the energy sector and what innovative companies need to succeed to the table,” Doll said.

“Part of my role will also be to create awareness for our unique offering among companies in clean tech and to help small and medium enterprises in particular to benefit from them. KIC InnoEnergy doesn’t just provide financial support, it becomes an actual partner in the commercialisation of new concepts. Getting that message across will be one of my key priorities going forward.”

Each role is seen as crucial to KIC InnoEnergy’s continual ambition to bring innovative products and solutions to industry in both eastern and western Europe.