Meet the voices behind EGC 2025! Our speakers bring together expertise from across research, industry, and policy to share their perspectives on the future of geothermal energy. Explore the dedicated speakers’ section on our website to discover who will be joining us.
Meet the Speakers
Opening Session - Introduction
Miklos Antics, President of EGEC
Miklos Antics is Managing Director and Associate Partner of GPC IP and GEOFLUID France. A reservoir engineer with a PhD in well testing, multiphase flow, and reservoir simulation, he also holds a Diploma in Geothermal Energy Technology from New Zealand. With over 32 years of international experience, he has led geothermal projects across Europe, Africa, Central America, and Asia, advancing sustainable reservoir concepts and innovative well architecture. Author of 60+ technical papers and four textbooks, he is a member of EGEC, EAGE, GRC, and SPE, and currently serves as President of EGEC.
Barbara Schwickert, President of Geothermie-Suisse
Barbara Schwickert is Co-President of Geothermie Schweiz and Co-Managing Director of Energiestadt. She also serves on several administrative and foundation boards in energy, climate, spatial planning, public transport, and culture. From 2009 to 2020, she was Municipal Councillor for the City of Biel/Bienne, overseeing the Department of Construction, Energy, and Environment. Previously, she served on the Grand Council of the Canton of Bern and as City Councillor of Biel/Bienne.
Opening Session - Welcome Address
Patrick Kutschera, Vice Director, Head of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Division
Swiss Federal Office of Energy
Patrick Kutschera has been Deputy Director of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) since 1 April 2024. As Head of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energies Division, his responsibilities include developing principles, new measures and instruments, as well as implementing and enforcing legislation in various areas. In his role as programme manager of SwissEnergy, he is responsible for the strategic direction of the programme – he previously held the position of managing director. A native of Valais, he is a chemical engineer (ETH) and holds an MBA from the University of St. Gallen. He has held various specialist and management positions throughout his professional career.
Joël Mesot, President of ETH Zurich
Joël Mesot has served as President of ETH Zurich since 2019. He studied Physics at ETH Zurich, earning a doctorate through research on high-temperature superconductors, and worked extensively on quantum materials in Switzerland and abroad. From 2008 to 2018, he directed the Paul Scherrer Institute, overseeing systemic energy initiatives. At ETH Zurich, he has launched programs related to space, AI, cybersecurity and energy, including the Coalition for Green Energy and Storage.
Brent Wanner, Head of Power Sector Unit at IEA
Brent Wanner is Senior Energy Analyst at the International Energy Agency (IEA), leading Power Generation Analysis within the World Energy Outlook team. He has contributed to six editions of the World Energy Outlook, as well as special reports on Energy and Climate Change and World Energy Investment. Previously, he worked as an economist at the U.S. Department of Energy. Wanner holds degrees in economics from Wake Forest University (USA) and in energy and environment from Duke University (USA).
Ulrich Hahne, Managing Director at Herrenknecht Vertical
Ulrich Hahne is CEO and Managing Director of Herrenknecht Vertical GmbH, a German manufacturer of automated drilling solutions, and serves on advisory boards of two international companies. With over 25 years of experience in energy and mechanical engineering, he has held leadership roles in technical, commercial, and operational functions across Germany, the US, UAE, UK, and the Netherlands. Previously, he led large sales and commercial teams for Baker Hughes in the Middle East and Europe.
Opening Session - Perspectives from a European to a Local Approach
Viktor Horváth, Deputy State Secretary for Energy, Hungary
Horváth Viktor is Deputy State Secretary for Energy Transition at the Ministry for Energy. He oversees strategic planning, programming EU funds in the energy sector, and policies on non-weather-dependent renewable energies and hydrogen. With 25 years of experience in public administration, he has expertise in strategic planning, EU financial programming, and energy policy.
Ahmed Eldemerdash, OFSE New Energy Vice President, Baker Hugues
Ahmed Eldemerdash is Vice President of New Energy & Business Transformation at Baker Hughes. He previously held executive roles at Halliburton, including Vice President of Production Solutions and Business Development, and began his career at Schlumberger in operations management. Eldemerdash has worked across Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. He holds an MBA from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, and a B.Eng in Electronics and Communication from Cairo University.
Priska Wismer-Felder, National Councilor, Swiss National Council
Priska Wismer-Felder has served as a member of the National Council since 2019 and sits on the Committee for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy (UREK). She is Co-President of aeesuisse, the umbrella organisation for renewable energies and energy efficiency, and Vice-President of Suisse Eole, the Swiss association for wind energy.
David Eray, Minister of the Environment, Canton Jura
David Eray has served as Minister of the Environment of the Canton of Jura since 2015. He holds a degree in microengineering (HES) and an MBA in business management. Before entering government, he gained extensive experience in industry and project management and held roles in Swiss and international commissions. As Minister, he oversees cantonal policies on infrastructure, public transport, and the environment, with a focus on sustainable development, environmental protection, and energy transition.
Peter Meier, CEO, Geo-Energie Suisse AG
Peter Meier holds a Master’s degree in Rural Civil Engineering from ETH Zurich and a PhD in Hydrogeology and Numerical Modelling from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. He began his career as a field engineer in hydraulic testing before joining ANDRA in France as an international project manager. From 2001 to 2010, he directed major hydroelectric projects at Axpo in Switzerland. Since 2011, he has been CEO of Geo-Energie Suisse AG, an initiative of seven public utilities promoting deep geothermal energy.
Michael Baumer, Councilor, City of Zurich
Michael Baumer, a graduate engineer in computer science from ETH Zurich, has been a member of Zurich City Council since 2018, heading the Department of Industrial Operations. He previously served on the municipal council (2003–2018), as President of the FDP City of Zurich (2010–2016), and on the FDP Canton of Zurich executive committee since 2013. Earlier, he worked at ETH Zurich as a study advisor and project manager. He is involved in several municipal energy and transport organisations.
Sylvain Broglé, Public Relations & Business Advisor, Exergy
Sylvain Broglé serves as Public Relations, Business Advisor, and Brand Ambassador at Exergy International, supporting global business development in the geothermal sector. A mechanical engineer with an MBA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, he brings over 40 years of international experience in renewable energy and water. Broglé has focused on geothermal energy for the past 15 years, promoting projects across Europe, the Americas, East Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. He has served as President of the International Geothermal Association and founded the French geothermal cluster GEODEEP.
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