Our driving force

The SwitchCoal Project is not merely an initiative – it is a catalyst for change on a global scale. It is led by a dynamic team of scientists, economists, communication experts, and innovators. Our collective mission is clear:

Spearhead
Spearhead a profitable transition from coal to renewables.
Reshape
Reshape the global energy landscape.
Mitigate
Mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The leading force

Prof. Dr. Pietro P. Altermatt
Prof. Dr. Pietro P. Altermatt

Is the Principal Scientist of Trinasolar, one of the largest photovoltaic manufacturers in China, and Visiting Professor at University of Oxford, UK. With the Scientists4Future, he conducts broader research on CO2 mitigation pathways and sustainability. His blog is at changeAnyway. For this study, he is responsible for the scientific part, contributed to the physical model and to writing the report.

Nancy Birkhölzer
Nancy Birkhölzer

Nancy is Founder & CEO of design- and innovation studios, board member at gut.org​, advisory council and founding investor at bcause with an experience of 15+ years. She is an expert for sustainable innovation, regenerative products and services, circular business models and systemic transformation​.

Leonidas von Bothmer
Leonidas von Bothmer

Graduated from University of St. Gallen in Business Administration, specializing in data science and corporate responsibility. His thesis focused on “AI for Corporate Climate Management.” Currently studying Interaction Design at FH Potsdam, he integrates business, technology and design for solution development. For this study, he contributed in assessing the physical and economical results, implementing them into an interactive online tool and in dissemination.

Dipl.-Phys. Stefan Golla
Dipl.-Phys. Stefan Golla

Is Co-founder of the energy expert group of Scientists4Future, Germany. He is an Energy Consultant for buildings, heating networks and national energy-transition strategies. For this study, he developed the mathematical-physical basis and supported the scientific process.

Dipl.-Phys. Frank Haferkorn
Dipl.-Phys. Frank Haferkorn

Is a Physicist, Sr. Software Developer, and Owner of invention agency OGIS. He is member of ZETT with extended experience in different research areas. For this study, he is responsible for the solar and wind data, and contributed to programming and concept development.

Prof. Holger Jahn
Prof. Holger Jahn

Is an industrial designer and works in research, teaching and transfer at the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences. His work focuses on the design of transformation and mobility as well as the implementation of transformation, conception, design, development, prototyping and communication of sustainable products, systems and services. He is also the initiator and co-founder of Goodfuture. For this study, he participated in refining the physical and economic model, implementing the study results into an interactive online tool, and in writing the report.

Dr. Solvejg Nasert
Dr. Solvejg Nasert

Dr. Solvejg Nasert is a medical researcher and strategic advisor for innovation with over 30 years of experience. Her work focuses on sustainability, interprofessional cooperation, and effective communication. She advocates for planetary health and is a co-founder of Goodfuture. For this study, she participated in coordination, communication, and in writing the report.

Prof. Dr. Claudia Kemfert
Prof. Dr. Claudia Kemfert

Is the Head of the department Energy, Transportation, Environment at the German Institute of Economic Research (DIW Berlin). Furthermore, she is Professor of Energy Economics and Energy Policy at the Leuphana University. Her research topics are energy economics and climate politics. For this study, she contributed to writing and dissemination.

Dipl. Inf. Thomas Ladwig
Dipl. Inf. Thomas Ladwig

Is a Graduate Computer Scientist and Solution Design Architect at an IT company with expertise in Solutioning and Quality Assurance. He is Co-Initiator of the SwitchCoal Study and a member of ZETT. Forthis study, he contributed to concept development, programming, solution finding, QA and to writing the report.

Dipl. Ing. Thomas Schmidt
Dipl. Ing. Thomas Schmidt

Is a graduate electronic engineer and a member of the www.zeroemissionthinktank.com (ZETT). He is co-author of the “Guide to Berlin's climate neutrality by 2030”. For this study, he contributed to the concept development, programming, and performed the financial modeling.

Dr. Ingo Stuckmann
Dr. Ingo Stuckmann

Is a Renewable Energy Expert with more than 20 years business expertise in developing and financing large scale wind and solar farms in the US and Europe. He is the Founder of ZETT promoting key solutions to solve the climate crisis. He is also promoting the “climate medal” as a symbol for cheap renewable energy @climatemedal4f on instagram. He initiated this study, is responsible for the economic part, and contributed to writing the report.

Jochen Wermuth
Jochen Wermuth

Is an Economist and Climate Impact Investor committed to investing in large-scale projects with positive impacts on reversing climate change. He is Managing Partner of Wermuth Asset Management GmbH, Co-Founder of the $40 trillion DivestInvest investor organization, serves on the Investment Committee of Germany’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, KENFO and is the Chair of Solar Foundry. For this study, he contributed to writing and dissemination.

The supporting force

Sit Commodi
Est voluptates
Est Voluptates Repudiandae
Energy Experts
Asperiores Eum
Quis veritatis
Non Et Quod
Energy Experts
Unde Ducimus
Energy Experts
Ad Sint Quidem Velit
Energy Experts
Tempore Aut Veritatis
Adipisci doloremque
Minus Quis Consequatur
Laudantium ducimus