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and endorsed in Marrakesh at COP22; yet, to increase investment in the sector, further pledges from all relevant parties are required. Today, governments and increasingly international investors are actively participating in the renewable energy sector, drawn in by their determination to fight against climate change and their commitments to the Paris Agreement. This increase in investor appetite has led to record purchases of renewable assets, such as wind farms and solar parks, reaching the highest-ever figure of US$72.7 billion, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s ‘Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2017’ report. However, a true paradigm shift is needed, from both new investors, as well as parties already involved in energy investments, to transform the energy sector towards renewable energy power generation. The moment is now, and whilst energy transition has an important role for renewable energy to remain an attractive field for private investor groups, digitalization is the axis on which the revolution in this sector revolves. DIGITALIZATION UNLOCKS THE POTENTIAL OF RENEWABLESDigitalization is the inevitable revolution for the renewable energy sector by using the possibilities of Internet of Things (IoT) and smart data analytics. Along with a solid digital infrastructure, IoT allows access to data almost anywhere in the world. Successful data analysis can also help investors (banks, funds, etc.) to increase the productivity of their assets. If anything can encourage the financial community to further their investments, it is the promise of lowest risks and highest performance. In light of this, Kaiserwetter has launched ARISTOTELES, a digital platform designed to simplify the executive level of investment companies, financial institutions and financing banks to monitor and manage its renewable energy portfolios. It aims to minimize the risk in renewable energies while maximizing the return on investments. ARISTOTELES integrates the possibilities of IoT, smart data analytics and predictive data simulation by combining technical and financial data.Executive level dashboards display all parameters and KPIs at a click on any kind of device, which allows executives to know if and how the invested capital is yielding a return on investment, regardless of the means of production. Due to the advanced technology in use, ARISTOTELES captures the data of every asset around the globe.The digitalization of power generation and energy asset management by using IoT and smart data analytics offers unexpected opportunities in boosting the expansion of renewable energies. Bottom line: ARISTOTELES is the answer to ensuring capital investments in renewable energy on a global basis by maximizing returns and minimizing risks. ■ABOUT THE AUTHORHanno Schoklitsch is CEO and founder of Kaiserwetter Energy Asset Management. He is a civil engineer and holds a Master’s degree from the University of Graz (Austria) in Business Administration. As a civil engineer, he is specialized in the construction of hydro power stations, which gives him the basic understanding of energy assets. Mr Schoklitsch started his career within real estate investment companies and headed the second largest German open-ended real estate fund. His professional experience brought him to understand the potential of digitizing asset management. Utilizing smart data and the Internet of Things (IoT) is key to taking advantage of the digitization within the renewable energy sector. Since the creation of Kaiserwetter Energy Asset Management, Mr Schoklitsch and his team have worked to develop a digital platform and tools supporting renewable energy investors, maximizing their performance. “IF ANYTHING CAN ENCOURAGE THE FINANCIAL COMMUNITY TO FURTHER THEIR INVESTMENTS, IT IS THE PROMISE OF LOWEST RISKS AND HIGHEST PERFORMANCE ”Pictured above: Hanno Schoklitsch