ABOUT US

Board of Directors & Management Team

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. Hannes Kunz

Chief Technology Officer

PhD in Economics, Expert in Operations and Supply Chain.

Hannes Kunz holds master’s degrees in law and economics from the University of Zurich, and a PhD in Economics from St. Gallen University (HSG). He worked in management roles in the IT, HR and life sciences industry and as a partner in international management consulting firms with assignments in Europe, the Americas and in Asia. He is President of the Institute for Integrated Economic Research, an independent non-profit research institution founded in 2007.

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.

Sean Petley

Research & Development

PhD in mechanical engineering. Specialising in fluid dynamics ...
Sean is focussing on optimizing the flow dynamics of AquaZoom’s Vortex Micro Hydro Power Plants.

With a PhD in mechanical engineering, Sean’s focus has been on the development of hydropower turbines and it’s fluid dynamics conditions. His main tasks for AquaZoom are in research & development, including close cooperation with partner universities.

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.

Simon Dunham

Operations Manager UK

With a BSc (Hons) in Electronic Engineering ...

… and an extensive background in construction project management, Simon has been Associate Director in several consultancy practices and has a wide range of experience in designing and managing major projects for blue chip clients, both in the UK and internationally.

Since obtaining his degree he focused mainly on the built environment – its design, construction, operation and management. A member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET), he has been a Carbon Trust Assessor and BREEAM Assessor and has a keen interest in renewable energy and carbon reduction.

Partners

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

Any questions?

Use this short form to email - or call us

PLEASE CONFIRM:

9 + 11 =

Switzerland

AquaZoom AG

Dr. Richard Vögeli (CEO)

Baarerstrasse 10

PO Box 7562

CH-6302 Zug / Switzerland

Tel. +41 43 508 01 08

United Kingdom

AquaZoom Ltd

A 100% Subsidiary of AquaZoom AG

Jacob Clayton

The Mill

Brimscombe Hill

Brimscombe, Stroud GL5 2QG

Tel. +44 1453 887744

India

AquaZoom India Representative

Jayanti Dasgupta

 

Tel: +91 98307 08844

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.

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. Hannes Kunz

Chief Technology Officer

PhD in Economics, Expert in Operations and Supply Chain.

Hannes Kunz holds master’s degrees in law and economics from the University of Zurich, and a PhD in Economics from St. Gallen University (HSG). He worked in management roles in the IT, HR and life sciences industry and as a partner in international management consulting firms with assignments in Europe, the Americas and in Asia. He is President of the Institute for Integrated Economic Research, an independent non-profit research institution founded in 2007.

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.

Sean Petley

Research & Development

PhD in mechanical engineering. Specialising in fluid dynamics ...
Sean is focussing on optimizing the flow dynamics of AquaZoom’s Vortex Micro Hydro Power Plants.

With a PhD in mechanical engineering, Sean’s focus has been on the development of hydropower turbines and it’s fluid dynamics conditions. His main tasks for AquaZoom are in research & development, including close cooperation with partner universities.

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.

Simon Dunham

Operations Manager UK

With a BSc (Hons) in Electronic Engineering ...

… and an extensive background in construction project management, Simon has been Associate Director in several consultancy practices and has a wide range of experience in designing and managing major projects for blue chip clients, both in the UK and internationally.

Since obtaining his degree he focused mainly on the built environment – its design, construction, operation and management. A member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET), he has been a Carbon Trust Assessor and BREEAM Assessor and has a keen interest in renewable energy and carbon reduction.

Partners

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

Please use this short form to email

- or call us

PLEASE CONFIRM

2 + 7 =

Switzerland

AquaZoom AG

Dr. Richard Vögeli (CEO)

Baarerstrasse 10

PO Box 7562

CH-6302 Zug / Switerland

Tel. +41 43 508 01 08

India

AquaZoom India Representative

Jayanti Dasgupta

Tel: +91 98307 08844

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

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