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Hydrogen for a green recovery of European islands

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EUSEW Policy Conference Session: Hydrogen for a green recovery of European islands

Hydrogen and fuel cells are moving up on the Sustainable Energy Agenda – the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) will be hosting a high-level EUSEW session on hydrogen’s potential to support the green recovery of European islands. The session is scheduled on Wednesday 24 June, 09.00 - 10.30 CET.

What will be discussed: Islands’ economy is often largely based on tourism and related activities, which not only results in unbalanced seasonal energy demand, but is a sector which has been strongly affected by current pandemic. The session will highlight the ability of hydrogen and associated technologies to decarbonise islands, while generating jobs and growth needed for the economic recovery. Participants will discuss issues such as developing bankable hydrogen projects for the islands, decarbonising tourism in the new economic context, and examples of hydrogen infrastructure developments that create growth and jobs.

Session Agenda

9:00 –09:05 Welcome from the Chair. Tudor CONSTANTINESCU, Adviser to the Director General, DG Energy

09.05 –09.15Hydrogen Islands: challenges and opportunities for a green recovery. Bart BIEBUYCK, Executive Director, Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking

09.15 –09.25Islands in the European Green Deal: Tadhg O’BRIAIN, Deputy Head of Unit Retail markets, consumers and local initiatives, DG Energy

09.25 –09.35 Strategic perspectives for hydrogen in the Spanish islands. Joan GROIZARD, Director General, IDAE-Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, Spain

09.35 –10.25 Panel discussion: Perspectives from islands representatives. Moderated by Tudor CONSTANTINESCU, Adviser to the Director General, DG Energy.

  • Locally led economic regeneration: Orkney Islands, Scotland. Nigel HOLMES, Chief Executive Office, Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association

  • Clean energy for tourism revival in the islands: Mallorca Island, Spain. Jesus Manuel GIL JIMENEZ, Innovation and New Energies Director, Enagás

  • Developing bankable hydrogen projects in overseas territories: French Overseas Territories, France. Jean-Noël de CHARENTENAY, Vice-President Strategy, HDF Energy

  • Valorising hydrogen to create regional value chains, Texel Island, The Netherlands. Arnold BOON, Project coordinator hydrogen and sustainable energy storage projects, Polaris Veritas

10.25 –10.30 Closing comments. Tudor CONSTANTINESCU, Adviser to the Director General, DG Energy

Register for EUSEW Policy Conference sessions here: https://digital.eusew.eu/