{"id":11421,"date":"2025-02-17T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sw.fst.com\/magazine\/?p=11421"},"modified":"2025-02-19T10:53:23","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T09:53:23","slug":"there-are-also-opportunities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sw.fst.com\/magazine\/en\/2025\/02\/there-are-also-opportunities\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cThere are also opportunities!\u201c"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Climate change and renewable energy under the new U.S. administration \u2013 two FST energy experts \u201clook into their crystal ball\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDrill, baby, drill!\u201d Those three words from the lips of Donald Trump sum up the direction of the current U.S. energy policy. The new President of the United States is largely turning to the fossil energy sources \u2013 especially oil and gas \u2013 that abound beneath the surface of the USA. The battle against climate change through the use of renewable energy is not on his agenda \u2013 or at least not very high on it. This can be deduced from his first executive orders and his withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change upon entering office. One of his orders put an agreement for new leasing contracts for offshore wind power on hold. But subsidies already approved by the Department of Energy (DOE) are still expected to flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adapting the Efforts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
What does this new orientation in U.S. energy policy mean for Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies (FNST), which has many innovative sealing solutions for renewable energy in its portfolio? Marcel Schreiner, Global Segment Director Energy, and Scott Sharpless, Global Key Account Manager Energy in the U.S., make the case for a businesslike, unbiased, and differentiated approach that is adapted to the particular situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FST\u2019s long-term global strategy in the energy sector is not affected by the change in administration. On one hand, the process from the approval of the drilling license to the extraction of the first drop of crude oil can take several years. On the other hand, the United States has not been a global pioneer in renewables so far. FST has a special agenda in the energy sector for every country or global region. \u201cA potential slowdown in the pace of growth in one region can be offset by the speed of the expansion in another, such as China, India or Australia,\u201d Schreiner said. \u201cWe are going to observe the U.S. market closely and carefully. What are the political leaders doing? How are customers reacting, especially our partners with global operations, the key accounts? We will continue to monitor our strategy on this basis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All-time-highs Contrast with Policies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAerial view over Solar cells energy farm in countryside landscape<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Schreiner and Sharpless point out that there were never more wind power facilities connecting with the grid than when Republican President Trump\u2019s term was coming to a close. And oil production in the United States reached its all-time-highs during the term of Democratic President Joe Biden. In other words: \u201cIt is a good idea to differentiate between high-profile announcements and the actual consequences in real life,\u201d Schreiner said. \u201cWe should wait 100 days, until the dust settles,\u201d Sharpless said. Then it will become clear which presidential orders will endure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Role of the Private Sector<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The private sector in the United States has already invested heavily in renewable energy, including in the expansion of local production, according to the two FST experts. Assuming stable, predictable conditions, large companies are likely to continue along this path even without financial support from the federal government, they said. They are assuming that already initiated plans, including offshore wind parks, will be completed. Too much money would be lost otherwise. Schreiner put it this way: \u201cDonald Trump is a businessman. Will he shut down promising projects that are creating jobs in America?\u201d Individual states could also continue to provide financial support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Local for Local<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both experts are pinning their hopes on the expected expansion and modernization of the American energy network; it is not one of the world\u2019s most stable grids currently. The Trump administration also plans to expand artificial intelligence (AI) \u2013 a technology that requires data transfers and electrical energy at an unprecedented scale. FST also offers a range of products for the expansion of network infrastructure. If the components for them are to be produced in the United States, FST has a trump card: It can manufacture its products locally in its plants in the United States, avoiding the tariff debate entirely. \u201cThis could even allow us to improve our competitive position,\u201d Sharpless said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Scott Sharpless, Global Key Account Manager ENergy<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This could even allow us to improve our competitive position!”<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the hydrogen economy: Neither FST expert sees a fundamental push for fuel cell technology in the United States or in Europe at this time. The situation is different for hydrogen production, however. Supported by the Biden administration\u2019s Inflation Reduction Act, numerous U.S. companies have invested in electrolyzer technologies. The \u201coil state\u201d of Texas has developed into the country\u2019s \u201cHydrogen Valley.\u201d Countless new jobs are being created throughout the country due to the renewables boom. It is hardly likely that the government will now dismantle them. The veritable \u201crainbow\u201d of processes used to produce hydrogen is meanwhile becoming more colorful. Aside from the \u201cgreen\u201d hydrogen produced from renewable energy, \u201cpink\u201d hydrogen from nuclear energy is expected to become more important. The extraction of natural hydrogen reserves could offer even more potential. The technology is in its infancy at the moment, but the U.S. has large subterranean reservoirs of what is known as \u201cwhite\u201d hydrogen.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFST elastomer seal used to encapsulate the metal frame of an electrolyzer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Stay Curious<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe political conditions in the U.S. are changing fast right now. Much is still unclear and can\u2019t be predicted,\u201d Schreiner said. \u201cBut the picture is not just black and white. Many a political decision can open up opportunities that we never suspected, such as the reduction in the bureaucracy that President Trump announced. Stay open-minded and curious. Seize the opportunities that arise. That is our mindset in the energy sector and at Freudenberg in general. There\u2019s no reason to look at the dark side.\u201d<\/p>\n
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