Mathias Steck has over 14 years of experience in the renewable energy industry, with expertise in the structural components of wind turbines, including inspections, failure analysis, technical due diligence, guideline development and technical seminars. Prior to his current role at DNV GL, he was regional manager at GL Garrad Hassan for the Asia-Pacific region, managing a team of over 130 inspectors and engineers located across the region, in Singapore, India, Thailand, China, Australia, Korea and Japan.
In his current role as executive vice-president and regional manager, Asia Pacific, DNV GL, Steck handles a team of 150 professionals, who deliver advisory services to the entire energy value chain, in particular renewable energy. His expertise extends to onshore and offshore wind energy, and he also has a good understanding of areas such as solar energy, conventional power generation, transmission and distribution, smart grids, sustainable energy, energy markets as well as regulations in the countries of his operations.
According to Steck, while the Indian wind market is set to grow, there is a lack of awareness regarding wind turbine testing and the impact of sudden dips in voltage. To this end, DNV GL has launched low voltage ride through testing solutions in India. The company has already received orders from one client in India and is looking at a large order book in the near future, considering the existing and upcoming capacities. DNV GL’s India plans include expansion of its operations as well as bringing in a dedicated testing service container, of which only 25 exist in the world.
Steck’s special interest lies in the impact of digitisation on cities and the energy industry. To pursue his interests, he has taken courses at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, and attended leadership programmes at the Ashridge Business School and INSEAD.
He completed his German diploma (equivalent to a master’s degree) in civil engineering and environmental technology from the Technical University Hamburg, Germany, in 2001. During the course, Steck earned the Vordiplom prize of Hamburg Construction for the top five intermediate diplomas and a stipendiary from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Germany. He also studied at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, specialising in concrete and steel structures, and earned an additional degree in geotechnics.