High-Level Policy Conference
DAY 1
MONDAY, 18.11.2024 OPENING DAY
13:00 – 14:00
REGISTRATION & NETWORKING
14:00 – 15:00
Session 1: Navigating the hydrogen evolution: global and European dynamics in a complex world – Part 1
As the world increasingly turns to hydrogen as a cornerstone of sustainable energy, understanding the global and European hydrogen dynamics becomes essential. This session will explore the evolving landscape of hydrogen production, distribution, and utilization amidst growing complexity. Attendees will gain insights into strategic collaborations, policy frameworks, and innovative technologies driving the hydrogen revolution.
15:00 – 16:00
Break and Exhibition Visit
16:00 – 17:00
Session 2: Navigating the hydrogen evolution: global and European dynamics in a complex world – Part 2
As the world increasingly turns to hydrogen as a cornerstone of sustainable energy, understanding the global and European hydrogen dynamics becomes essential. This session will explore the evolving landscape of hydrogen production, distribution, and utilization amidst growing complexity. Attendees will gain insights into strategic collaborations, policy frameworks, and innovative technologies driving the hydrogen revolution.
17:00
Exhibition Visit and Drinks reception: Winter Market (open to all visitors)
DAY 2
TUESDAY, 19.11.2024
09:00 – 10:00
registration & NETWORKING
10:00 – 11:00
Session 3: Carbon pricing, an enabler of the clean transition
With the revision of the EU’s Emission Trading System (ETS), and the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), carbon pricing is becoming a key enabler of transitioning away from emitting technologies towards clean solutions. The phasing out of free quotas for major energy intensive sectors will likely raise the EU’s CO2 price in the coming decade, in turn incentivising investment into renewable hydrogen and other clean technologies. European carbon pricing leadership is aimed to be mirrored abroad through climate diplomacy and through the CBAM. This session will explore the opportunities and challenges that will come about with this increased ambition on carbon pricing.
11:00 – 12:00
Break and Exhibition Visit
12:00 – 13:00
Session 4: Implementing the Green Deal targets for sustainable demand
This session will explore the implementation of the renewable targets set out in the Green Deal and translated into the practical measures of the Fit for 55 package. Following the publication of the Commission's guidance on target implementation, this session will provide a platform for key stakeholders impacted by these targets to discuss potential implementation methods and the possible consequences—both positive and negative—of the choices made by Member States.
13:00 – 14:00
Break and Exhibition Visit
14:00 – 15:00
Session 5: Resilient clean tech: the role of electrolysers and skilled workforce in the EU's race to net-zero
The Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) provides the legal foundation to accelerate the adoption of clean technologies. Electrolysers, essential for the production of renewable hydrogen, remain a significant component of Europe’s manufacturing landscape and will be pivotal in all Net-Zero scenarios. Yet, the industry faces several challenges, including the threats of deindustrialisation, the potential relocation of manufacturing outside Europe and the lack of skilled workforce.
15:00 – 16:00
Break and Exhibition Visit
16:00 – 17:00
Session 6: Digital Product Passports (DPP): revolutionizing global trade and trust
In a world where transparency and sustainability are becoming increasingly crucial, the concept of a Digital Product Passport (DPP) is emerging as a game-changer. This panel will explore the transformative potential of DPPs in certifying the origins of products, ensuring authenticity, and fostering trust among consumers and stakeholders.
17:00
Exhibition Booth Parties (open to all visitors) VIP dinner (per invitation only)
DAY 3
WEDNESDAY, 20.11.2024
09:00 – 10:00
registration & NETWORKING
10:00 – 11:00
Session 7: After the EU Power Grid Action Plan, time for a hydrogen grid strategy?
The implementation of the Gas & Hydrogen Package has begun, with the creation of ENNOH which will oversee planning and coordinating hydrogen infrastructure plans. This session will be an opportunity to have a frank and open discussion on the future role of ENNOH and most importantly, how it can work with other entities in order to optimise future infrastructure planning and investments.
11:00 – 12:00
Break and Exhibition Visit
12:00 – 13:00
Session 8: Hydrogen and flexibility: Quest for hydrogen storage strategy
Europe’s power system needs flexibility to double by 2030 even under the most ambitious grid expansion scenarios. Hence, the dispatching volumes of variable renewable energy sources (VRES) will still need to be managed by other types of clean dispatchable power. This is where hydrogen comes into play. Hydrogen, through adjustable operation of electrolysers and the remarkable storage capabilities of Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS), serves as a key facilitator of flexibility in the electricity system. It can offer short-term balancing services to the grid, medium and long-term energy storage solutions, and ensure clean security of supply.
13:00 – 14:00
Break and Exhibition Visit
14:00 – 15:00
Session 9: Making targets a reality: how to ensure fast deployment of hydrogen refuelling stations
The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) is the main legislative tool to deploy a network of public hydrogen refuelling stations for road transport. The 2030 target is a major opportunity for the hydrogen sector to contribute to the fast decarbonisation of the road transport industry. Panellists will discuss the state of the market, how can the transition be further supported as well as remaining bottlenecks that slow deployment down.
15:00 – 16:00
Break and Exhibition Visit
16:00 – 17:00
Session 10: Hydrogen for maritime and aviation applications: how to bring hydrogen closer to the market?
With FuelEU Maritime GHG emissions reduction targets kicking in in 2025, and maritime emissions being monitored under the ETS as of 2024, shipowners should be incentivized to turn to RFNBOs to decarbonize their fleet and meet their decarbonisation targets. However, the price gap between e-fuels for shipping and conventional fuels does not yet make the case for the uptake of RFNBO in this sector.
17:00
Clean Hydrogen Partnership and Hydrogen Europe Research Awards (open to all visitors) Exhibition Booth Parties (open to all visitors)
DAY 4
THURSDAY, 21.11.2024
09:00 – 10:00
registration & NETWORKING
10:00 – 11:00
Session 11: The Hydrogen Bank: reflecting European market needs
The 2023 Hydrogen Bank pilot auction marked a significant leap forward for the hydrogen economy, with seven projects securing bids at remarkably low premiums, signalling the potential for market competitiveness for many sectors like industry and mobility. As we reflect on the lessons learned from the pilot to better prepare for the second auction, it becomes evident that improvements are imperative for future success.
11:00 – 12:00
Break and Exhibition Visit
12:00 – 13:00
Session 12: From hydrogen valleys to hydrogen economies
In 2024, there are more than 60 Hydrogen Valley across Europe, with more expected in the years to come. This session will aim to take stock of good practices in developing Hydrogen Valleys as well as barriers they face, including gaps in the current policy and regulatory frameworks. The topic of ensuring public funding support and attracting private investment into these projects will also be addressed.
13:00 – 14:00
Break and Exhibition Visit
14:00 – 15:00
Session 13: COP29: Hydrogen pledge and beyond
As COP29 concludes in Azerbaijan, this panel discussion will delve into the most relevant hydrogen-related outcomes of the conference, examining their implications for global climate and energy strategies. The discussion will highlight key takeaways from COP29 with a focus on the advanced role of hydrogen in the global climate agenda, the acknowledgement of its decarbonisation potential, namely in hard-to-abate sectors, as well as its role in the implementation of the COP28 pledge, aimed to tripling the renewables capacity through energy system integration.
15:00
Official End of the European Hydrogen Week
DAY 5
FRIDAY, 22.11.2024
ONLINE SESSION