ABOUT US

Board of Directors & Management Team

Klaus Petrasch

Chief Technology Officer

Civil Engineer. Innovator, practitioner and entrepreneur ...
A civil engineer (TU Dresden) by training, Klaus Petrasch worked as a research engineer at TU Dresden until the German reunification. After 1990, he successfully operated his own construction company with up to 40 employees, which he later converted into an engineering services business. Since 2008, he increasingly shifted his activities towards small hydropower and wind, with a strong focus on vortex hydropower. He holds various patents in this field and has managed to secure significant research funding leading to the acceptance of the fish migration capabilities of vortex power plants.

Subhendu Biswas

Country Head India and Head Business Development

Chemical Engineer. 20+ years experience in Climate Change ...
… incl. carbon foot-printing, carbon trading and mitigation projects. Holding degree in Chemical Engineering from NIT Durgapur, Subhendu Biswas began his career in operational management roles in the Refinery & Petrochemical industry, before moving to become a specialist in climate change-related matters, including carbon foot-printing, carbon trading and mitigation projects. He worked for Det Norske Veritas, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and First Climate India over the past 13 years. Subhendu is co-founder of AquaZoom, and has acted as AquaZoom’s India Head since the beginning.

Arun Amirtham

Board Member

Electronics Engineer. Several entrepreneurial roles ...
… promoting and implementing solar PV technology, as well as being program director in zeroPoverty Social Business. Holding a Master’s in Electronic Engineering from École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, Arun Amirtham spent 24 years with Philips Semiconductors in product development, engineering, marketing and business leadership roles before becoming active in several entrepreneurial roles promoting and implementing solar PV technology, as well as being program director in zeroPoverty Social Business in Switzerland and India. Arun has accompanied and supported the activities of AquaZoom from day one as a non-executive board member.

Fred van Beuningen

Board Member

International executive, entrepreneur and venture capital expert ...
Educated in business at Erasmus University in Rotterdam and INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France, Fred has worked as General Manager, Chief Executive Officer and Board member for international industrial companies and as an entrepreneur. Fred serves on the investment committee of a national development fund and on the Advisory Council of the Erasmus Center of Future Energy. His recent activities are in venture capital.

Dr. Richard Vögeli

CEO and Chairman of the Board

PhD in Chemistry. Entrepreneur with 30+ years industrial experience ...
Richard, holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Oregon. He has a long international career in large organizations and as an entrepreneur. His track record includes 13 years at Swiss Re, last as Industry Practice Leader Global Energy, followed by many full and part time roles as an entrepreneur and consultant, among them in the fields of insurance, investment management, renewable energy, and Corporate Social Responsibility. In 2015, he undertook an active effort to focus all protagonists working on vortex hydropower technology into one organization and set up AquaZoom, which he has been running as CEO since.

Our Story & Mission

One of the most important United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. In these turbulent times we cannot depend on Governments to solve all problems. Solidarity and helping people to help themselves is often the only hope.

We make this hope a reality.

AquaZoom (previously Verde Renewables) AG was founded in Switzerland. The company’s founders include all relevant European vortex power plant players, development knowledge, and patents.. AquaZoom is actively supported by funds of the German Government. The company operates with an established and well-connected subsidiary in India. Its R&D subsidiary in Sachsen/ Germany cooperates closely with the Technical University in Dresden.

Technical Team

Bianca Vögeli

CFO

Certified Accountant
Bianca is a certified accountant (ACCA) and an experienced Project Manager. She served clients in different industries in audit, finance, and M&A advisory at PWC for five years. At an international manufacturing company, she led group-wide finance and international expansion projects. Bianca holds a degree from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. In her free time, she loves being active and outside, exploring whatever mountains she can find.

Markus Gallagher

IT and Logistics

Software Engineer
Markus’ Specialties are Software Development, Data Modeling, Database Architecture & Administration, Network & Database Security, C#, Java, MS SQL, Oracle, PHP, MySQL, LDAP, Web Servers. After working as a Network Security Engineer for the largest Bank in Switzerland, Markus has developed Software for various industries. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, paragliding and back country skiing.

Damian Staedeli

Electrical Engineering

Energy Technology and Industrial Automation Engineer
Following his engineering degree, Damian also received an EMBA degree. His professional career includes development, project management and commissioning of highly integrated automation systems and drives for newspaper printing machines. His top achievement was head of printing, i.e. having the worldwide responsibility of ABB’s printing department.

Clemens Bolli

Business Development

Master in Political Science and Master in Geographical Information Science
Clemens has worked in various functions for different governmental bodies in Switzerland dealing with Geographic Information Systems and spatial planning, such as the Federal Office of Energy, the City of Zurich and the Canton of Grisons. He has also led a touristic infrastructure project in the Swiss mountain resort Davos. In his long-term engagement in fundraising for the Swiss Red Cross, he has raised considerable amounts of funds for humanitarian purposes. Prior to his professional career, Clemens has pursued an international career in competitive sports and speaks six languages.

Jayanti Dasgupta

Business Development India

BSc in Physics, 20+ years experience in Solar ...

and other Renewable Energy Projects.

Jayanti founded “Inca Solar Energy Pvt Ltd” in 2007 which offered turnkey solutions in the primarily Solar technologies. These included Rooftop solar installations, Street lights, Solar thermal Applications. She has experience in other Renewable energy domains and had closely worked with Ministry of New and Renewable energy and several state agencies. She spearheads the business development activities of AquaZoom in India through Cluotech Energies (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Michael Webner

Aqua Dynamics

Engineer in electrical and automation technology
For several years Michael worked as a research assistant at the Technical University of Rostock with a focus on electrical machines and then switching to automotive engineering. In the following years, the development / construction of electro-hydraulic auxiliary units for motor vehicles at a multinational company was the focus of activity, initially as a project manager and later as head of development. Following a position at a medium sized company as head of technology and production he founded Ventego AG in 2010, developing, producing and selling renewable energy systems, with a focus on small wind turbines. Michael is expert in fluid kinetics, as well as drive and control technology.

Jacob Clayton

Business Development UK

Geotechnical Engineer
With an extensive professional background in geotechnical site investigation, focused on infrastructure and offshore energy, Jacob began studying Environmental Management and Technology with The Open University. As his studies developed alongside his career, he became increasingly conscious of environmental impact, which led to a move from oil and gas to renewable energy – in particular hydropower. Jacob has a wide skill set of technical and practical ability, from advanced laboratory engineering to quality management, allowing him to take a project from an idea, through to a fully licensed installation.

Annie Scharbatke

Engineering

Mechanical Engineer
Focusing on energy technology and hydro-mechanics, Annie has contributed substantially to the development of the Vortex Energy Plant over the past few years. Her expertise was further expanded in her capacity as scientific assistant at the technical university in Brugg-Windisch, Switzerland at the Institute for Thermo- and Fluid-Engineering.

Partners

Formed in 2007, ecoligent combines intelligent ecological and sustainable goals with energy technology. They perfected micro hydro vortex technology with a fish friendly rotor and patented a low rpm generator, as well as developed a horizontal wind turbine. Ecoligent works closely with the Fraunhofer-Institute, the Universities Magdeburg and Dresden.

Working in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Africa and Overseas, Renewables First are engineering consultants and project delivery experts, specializing in Hydropower and Windpower. Their hydro and wind consultants have whole-project capability, taking projects from initial feasibility, through consenting and design and on to construction and commissioning. The focus is on quality and performance, ensuring that completed projects will operate reliably and efficiently into the future.

GET IN TOUCH

We are more than happy to clarify any of your questions in detail.

PLEASE CONFIRM:

Switzerland

AquaZoom AG

Dr. Richard Vögeli (CEO)

Baarerstrasse 10

PO Box 7562

CH-6302 Zug / Switzerland

Tel. +41 41 729 3915

India

Cluotech Energies (India) Pvt. Ltd.

A 100% Subsidiary of Aquazoom AG

Mr. Subhendu Biswas (Director)

Swastik Siddhi, Flat No. 06

14B Deshapran Sasmal Road

Kolkata – 33 / India

Tel: +91 97 487 56709

United Kingdom

AquaZoom Ltd.

A 100% Subsidiary of Aquazoom AG

Jacob Clayton

The Mill, Brimscombe Hill

Brimscombe, Stroud GL5 2QG / UK

Tel: +44  1453 887 744

ABOUT US

Our Story & Misson

One of the most important United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. In these turbulent times we cannot depend on Governments to solve all problems. Solidarity and helping people to help themselves is often the only hope.

We make this hope a reality.

AquaZoom (previously Verde Renewables) AG was founded in Switzerland. The company’s founders include all relevant European vortex power plant players, development knowledge, and patents.. AquaZoom is actively supported by funds of the German Government. The company operates with an established and well-connected subsidiary in India. Its R&D subsidiary in Sachsen/ Germany cooperates closely with the Technical University in Dresden.

Board of Directors & management Team

Dr. Richard Vögeli

CEO and Chairman of the Board

PhD in Chemistry. Entrepreneur with 30+ years industrial experience ...
Richard, holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Oregon. He has a long international career in large organizations and as an entrepreneur. His track record includes 13 years at Swiss Re, last as Industry Practice Leader Global Energy, followed by many full and part time roles as an entrepreneur and consultant, among them in the fields of insurance, investment management, renewable energy, and Corporate Social Responsibility. In 2015, he undertook an active effort to focus all protagonists working on vortex hydropower technology into one organization and set up AquaZoom, which he has been running as CEO since.

Klaus Petrasch

CCFOChief Technology Officer

Civil Engineer. Innovator, practitioner and entrepreneur ...
A civil engineer (TU Dresden) by training, Klaus Petrasch worked as a research engineer at TU Dresden until the German reunification. After 1990, he successfully operated his own construction company with up to 40 employees, which he later converted into an engineering services business. Since 2008, he increasingly shifted his activities towards small hydropower and wind, with a strong focus on vortex hydropower. He holds various patents in this field and has managed to secure significant research funding leading to the acceptance of the fish migration capabilities of vortex power plants.

Subhendu Biswas

Country Head India and Head Business Development

Chemical Engineer. 20+ years experience in Climate Change ...
… incl. carbon foot-printing, carbon trading and mitigation projects. Holding degree in Chemical Engineering from NIT Durgapur, Subhendu Biswas began his career in operational management roles in the Refinery & Petrochemical industry, before moving to become a specialist in climate change-related matters, including carbon foot-printing, carbon trading and mitigation projects. He worked for Det Norske Veritas, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and First Climate India over the past 13 years. Subhendu is co-founder of AquaZoom, and has acted as AquaZoom’s India Head since the beginning.

Arun Amirtham

Member of the Board

Electronics Engineer. Several entrepreneurial roles ...
… promoting and implementing solar PV technology, as well as being program director in zeroPoverty Social Business. Holding a Master’s in Electronic Engineering from École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, Arun Amirtham spent 24 years with Philips Semiconductors in product development, engineering, marketing and business leadership roles before becoming active in several entrepreneurial roles promoting and implementing solar PV technology, as well as being program director in zeroPoverty Social Business in Switzerland and India. Arun has accompanied and supported the activities of AquaZoom from day one as a non-executive board member.

Fred van Beuningen

Member of the Board

International executive, entrepreneur and venture capital expert ...
Educated in business at Erasmus University in Rotterdam and INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France, Fred has worked as General Manager, Chief Executive Officer and Board member for international industrial companies and as an entrepreneur. Fred serves on the investment committee of a national development fund and on the Advisory Council of the Erasmus Center of Future Energy. His recent activities are in venture capital.

Technical Team

Bianca Vögeli

CFO

Certified Accountant
Bianca is a certified accountant (ACCA) and an experienced Project Manager. She served clients in different industries in audit, finance, and M&A advisory at PWC for five years. At an international manufacturing company, she led group-wide finance and international expansion projects. Bianca holds a degree from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. In her free time, she loves being active and outside, exploring whatever mountains she can find.

Markus Gallagher

IT and Logistics

Software Engineer
Markus’ Specialties are Software Development, Data Modeling, Database Architecture & Administration, Network & Database Security, C#, Java, MS SQL, Oracle, PHP, MySQL, LDAP, Web Servers. After working as a Network Security Engineer for the largest Bank in Switzerland, Markus has developed Software for various industries. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, paragliding and back country skiing.

Damian Staedeli

Electrical Engineering

Energy Technology and Industrial Automation Engineer
Following his engineering degree, Damian also received an EMBA degree. His professional career includes development, project management and commissioning of highly integrated automation systems and drives for newspaper printing machines. His top achievement was head of printing, i.e. having the worldwide responsibility of ABB’s printing department.

Clemens Bolli

Business Development

Master in Political Science and Master in Geographical Information Science
Clemens has worked in various functions for different governmental bodies in Switzerland dealing with Geographic Information Systems and spatial planning, such as the Federal Office of Energy, the City of Zurich and the Canton of Grisons. He has also led a touristic infrastructure project in the Swiss mountain resort Davos. In his long-term engagement in fundraising for the Swiss Red Cross, he has raised considerable amounts of funds for humanitarian purposes. Prior to his professional career, Clemens has pursued an international career in competitive sports and speaks six languages.

Jayanti Dasgupta

Business Development India

BSc in Physics, 20+ years experience in Solar ...

and other Renewable Energy Projects.

Jayanti founded “Inca Solar Energy Pvt Ltd” in 2007 which offered turnkey solutions in the primarily Solar technologies. These included Rooftop solar installations, Street lights, Solar thermal Applications. She has experience in other Renewable energy domains and had closely worked with Ministry of New and Renewable energy and several state agencies. She spearheads the business development activities of AquaZoom in India through Cluotech Energies (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Michael Webner

Aqua Dynamics

Engineer in electrical and automation technology
For several years Michael worked as a research assistant at the Technical University of Rostock with a focus on electrical machines and then switching to automotive engineering. In the following years, the development / construction of electro-hydraulic auxiliary units for motor vehicles at a multinational company was the focus of activity, initially as a project manager and later as head of development. Following a position at a medium sized company as head of technology and production he founded Ventego AG in 2010, developing, producing and selling renewable energy systems, with a focus on small wind turbines. Michael is expert in fluid kinetics, as well as drive and control technology.

Jacob Clayton

Business Development UK

Geotechnical Engineer
With an extensive professional background in geotechnical site investigation, focused on infrastructure and offshore energy, Jacob began studying Environmental Management and Technology with The Open University. As his studies developed alongside his career, he became increasingly conscious of environmental impact, which led to a move from oil and gas to renewable energy – in particular hydropower. Jacob has a wide skill set of technical and practical ability, from advanced laboratory engineering to quality management, allowing him to take a project from an idea, through to a fully licensed installation.

Annie Scharbatke

Engineering

Mechanical Engineer
Focusing on energy technology and hydro-mechanics, Annie has contributed substantially to the development of the Vortex Energy Plant over the past few years. Her expertise was further expanded in her capacity as scientific assistant at the technical university in Brugg-Windisch, Switzerland at the Institute for Thermo- and Fluid-Engineering.

Partners

Formed in 2007, ecoligent combines intelligent ecological and sustainable goals with energy technology. They perfected micro hydro vortex technology with a fish friendly rotor and patented a low rpm generator, as well as developed a horizontal wind turbine. Ecoligent works closely with the Fraunhofer-Institute, the Universities Magdeburg and Dresden.

Working in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Africa and Overseas, Renewables First are engineering consultants and project delivery experts, specializing in Hydropower and Windpower. Their hydro and wind consultants have whole-project capability, taking projects from initial feasibility, through consenting and design and on to construction and commissioning. The focus is on quality and performance, ensuring that completed projects will operate reliably and efficiently into the future.

GET IN TOUCH

We are more than happy to clarify any of your questions in detail.

PLEASE CONFIRM:

Switzerland

AquaZoom AG

Dr. Richard Vögeli (CEO)

Baarerstrasse 10

PO Box 7562

CH-6302 Zug / Switzerland

Tel. +41 41 729 3915

India

Cluotech Energies (India) Pvt. Ltd.

A 100% Subsidiary of Aquazoom AG

Mr. Subhendu Biswas (Director)

Swastik Siddhi, Flat No. 06

14B Deshapran Sasmal Road

Kolkata – 33 / India

Tel: +91 97 487 56709

United Kingdom

AquaZoom Ltd.

A 100% Subsidiary of Aquazoom AG

Jacob Clayton

The Mill, Brimscombe Hill

Brimscombe, Stroud GL5 2QG / UK

Tel: +44 1453 887 744

TERMS & CONDITONS        –        PRIVACY POLICY