PROGRAM JUNE 10
17:30 - 22:00
PARTNER PLAZA: FESTIVE WELCOME EVENING
PARTNER PLAZA: FESTIVE WELCOME EVENING
The welcome evening at DigitalX is sponsored by:
PROGRAM JUNE 11
09:30 - 10:30
Doors open / welcome
Doors open / welcome
10:30 - 10:40
PLENARY: OPENING BY CAROLE SANTENS, managing director at bdia
PLENARY: OPENING BY CAROLE SANTENS, managing director at bdia
10:40 - 10:55
PLENARY: OUTLOOK BELGIAN DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET
PLENARY: OUTLOOK BELGIAN DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET
Belgium has the ambition to become one of the most innovative hubs in Europe. Artificial Intelligence, data centers and state-of-the art connectivity are only three key elements to obtain this goal. But how can the Belgium digital infrastructure compete with other European markets? What are the growth prospects and opportunities for the country? What is the current supply and utilization? Kevin Restivo, Director of Data Centre Research at CBRE provides an outlook on the Belgian Digital Infrastructure Market.
Speaker: Kevin Restivo, Director Data Center Research at CBRE
Speaker: Kevin Restivo, Director Data Center Research at CBRE
10:55 - 11:10
PLENARY: OUTLOOK Belgian energy market: supply & demand
PLENARY: OUTLOOK Belgian energy market: supply & demand
Anywhere in Europe, energy supply is a topic of discussion. Energy transition and the digital transition go hand in hand and even though they challenge each other, they can also support each other. During this keynote David Zenner from Elia will discuss the current state of the Belgian energy market. How is the supply and demand of data centers effecting the Belgian infrastructure. What challenges is the market facing and how can we create a future proof energy infrastructure that can support our digital society.
Speaker: David Zenner, Head of Customers at Elia
Speaker: David Zenner, Head of Customers at Elia
11:10 - 11:40
PLENARY: DATA CENTER PANEL: AN EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE
PLENARY: DATA CENTER PANEL: AN EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE
David Zenner's keynote is followed by a panel discussion with key operators in the Belgian data center market. Industry experts will present their view and expertise on the current landscape and its potential. What is their perspective on the future of this market? Which opportunities and which challenges should be taken into account?
Speakers:
Eric Boonstra, CEO at KevlinX
Friso Haringsma, Managing Director at Datacenter United
Allan Bosley, Head of Culture and Management Information at Ark Data Centers
Moderator:
Pieterjan van Leemputten, Journalist at DataNews
Speakers:
Eric Boonstra, CEO at KevlinX
Friso Haringsma, Managing Director at Datacenter United
Allan Bosley, Head of Culture and Management Information at Ark Data Centers
Moderator:
Pieterjan van Leemputten, Journalist at DataNews
11:45 - 13:00
PARTNER PLAZA: LUNCH
PARTNER PLAZA: LUNCH
The lunch at DigitalX is sponsored by:
13:00 - 13:30
BREAK-OUT 1: CONNECTING THE BELGIAN DIGITAL MARKET
BREAK-OUT 1: CONNECTING THE BELGIAN DIGITAL MARKET
The data center market in Belgium is primarily concentrated in the Brussels region. However, other areas in Belgium (e.g. West & East Flanders and Limburg) are also becoming more connected, thus creating opportunities for ISP’s and carriers to expand their business in the market. Therefore, this panel will discuss current trends and possibilities in expanding the connectivity in the Belgian Digital Market.
Speakers:
Peter van Burgel, CEO at AMS-IX
Tania Defraine, Enterprise Solutions & Platforms Tribe Lead at Proximus
Peter Coppens, VP Infrastructure & Connectivity Solutions at Colt
Moderator:
Pieterjan van Leemputten, Journalist at DataNews
Speakers:
Peter van Burgel, CEO at AMS-IX
Tania Defraine, Enterprise Solutions & Platforms Tribe Lead at Proximus
Peter Coppens, VP Infrastructure & Connectivity Solutions at Colt
Moderator:
Pieterjan van Leemputten, Journalist at DataNews
13:35 - 14:05
Break-out 2: BUILDING A sustainable future: user cases in digital infra
Break-out 2: BUILDING A sustainable future: user cases in digital infra
Under the European Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), data center owners and operators over 500 MW will have to report their data center’s energy performance. In order to improve energy efficiency, suppliers in the digital ecosystem offer innovative solutions for cooling and power distribution. In this panel, leading companies from the industry discuss the latest developments in the data center market.
Speakers:
Lukas Dvorak, Head of R&D- Conteg
Paul Driessen, Technical Consultant Precision Cooling at STULZ
Patrick van der Wilt, Chief Commercial Officer at Penta Infra
Federica Serena, Application Engineer Thermal Management EMEA at Vertiv
Moderator:
Pieterjan van Leemputten, Journalist at DataNews
Speakers:
Lukas Dvorak, Head of R&D- Conteg
Paul Driessen, Technical Consultant Precision Cooling at STULZ
Patrick van der Wilt, Chief Commercial Officer at Penta Infra
Federica Serena, Application Engineer Thermal Management EMEA at Vertiv
Moderator:
Pieterjan van Leemputten, Journalist at DataNews
14:10 - 14:40
BREAK-OUT 3: INVEST IN BELGIAN DIGITAL INFRA: current state of our investment climate
BREAK-OUT 3: INVEST IN BELGIAN DIGITAL INFRA: current state of our investment climate
Various operators are heavily investing in (new) data center facilities (co-location and hyperscale) in the country which positively influences the digital ecosystem. However, legislation will have an influence on where, when and how these data centers will be build. This panel examines the investment opportunities and shares legislation insights from the Belgian market.
Speakers:
Björn De Vidts, CEO at Athumi
Natascha Geraedts, Partner at Eversheds Sutherland
Arnoud de Ridder, Investment Director at TINC Development Partners
Moderator:
Johan Joos, Partner at Eversheds Sutherland
Speakers:
Björn De Vidts, CEO at Athumi
Natascha Geraedts, Partner at Eversheds Sutherland
Arnoud de Ridder, Investment Director at TINC Development Partners
Moderator:
Johan Joos, Partner at Eversheds Sutherland
14:45 - 15:15
Break-out 4: The Future of Data Centers: How to Plan, Build and Run them sustainably?
Break-out 4: The Future of Data Centers: How to Plan, Build and Run them sustainably?
In this panel discussion, experts delve into the future of data centers, exploring strategies to plan, build, and run them sustainably. With the exponential growth of data consumption and digital infrastructure, the discussion focuses on innovative approaches to mitigate environmental impact, optimize energy efficiency, and ensure long-term sustainability.
Speakers:
Richard Pimper, Vice-President & CTO at Huawei Digital Power
Niek van der Pas, Lead Data Centre Expert at Legrand Data Center Solutions
Tim Bisson, Director at Eneria BeLux
Friso Haringsma, Managing Director at DataCenter United
Moderator:
Pieterjan van Leemputten, Journalist at DataNews
Speakers:
Richard Pimper, Vice-President & CTO at Huawei Digital Power
Niek van der Pas, Lead Data Centre Expert at Legrand Data Center Solutions
Tim Bisson, Director at Eneria BeLux
Friso Haringsma, Managing Director at DataCenter United
Moderator:
Pieterjan van Leemputten, Journalist at DataNews
15:20 - 15:50
break-out 5: how to keep up with the energy demand?
break-out 5: how to keep up with the energy demand?
The demand for electricity is expected to increase more strongly over the coming decade than previously anticipated. Main reasons for this are the rise of heat pumps and the electrification of industrial processes. This may lead to congestion risks on the grid. Therefore, this panel will discuss how to prevent net congestion and how data centers can be part of the solution.
Speakers:
Freek van Alphen, Head of Datacenter Solutions Benelux & Datacenter Services Europe at ABB
Brice Fourney, Vice President at Equans Data Centre
Henri Hamers, Executive Director at EY Strategy & Transactions
Moderator:
Pieter Schaap, Data Center Lead EMEA at Soben
Speakers:
Freek van Alphen, Head of Datacenter Solutions Benelux & Datacenter Services Europe at ABB
Brice Fourney, Vice President at Equans Data Centre
Henri Hamers, Executive Director at EY Strategy & Transactions
Moderator:
Pieter Schaap, Data Center Lead EMEA at Soben
15:55 - 16:25
break-out 6: cloud computing & AI: how to cope with rising demand?
break-out 6: cloud computing & AI: how to cope with rising demand?
With the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), governments are exploring how to cope with the rising demand for AI-services and cloud computing. Therefore, questions arise on how the digital infrastructure market can position itself as the frontrunner. In this session, cloud service providers will discuss how AI will influence the Belgian market.
Speakers:
Martijn Aerts, VP Secure Power BeNe Cluster at Schneider Electric
Ron Pooters, Business Strategy Manager BeLux at Microsoft
Stefan Boutsen, Portfolio Lead Modular DC at HPE Services
Guy D'Hauwers, Vice President AI & HP at Automation NV
Moderator:
Pieterjan van Leemputten, Journalist at DataNews
Speakers:
Martijn Aerts, VP Secure Power BeNe Cluster at Schneider Electric
Ron Pooters, Business Strategy Manager BeLux at Microsoft
Stefan Boutsen, Portfolio Lead Modular DC at HPE Services
Guy D'Hauwers, Vice President AI & HP at Automation NV
Moderator:
Pieterjan van Leemputten, Journalist at DataNews
16:25 - 17:30
partner plaza: closing CEREMONY
partner plaza: closing CEREMONY
The closing ceremony at DigitalX is sponsored by:
