Hydrogen, sun, wind: Which ones can make the best contribution to Europe's energy transformation?
16-03-2021

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Meeting the EU’s proposed new climate targets for 2030 will require a “transformation” of the bloc’s energy system, with a renewed focus on renewables and further efforts to cut fossil fuels in buildings, transport and industry.
The use of renewable energy has many potential benefits, including a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the diversification of energy supplies and a reduced dependency on fossil fuel markets (in particular, oil and gas). The growth of renewable energy sources may also stimulate employment in the EU, through the creation of jobs in new ‘green’ technologies.
In electricity, wind and solar power are becoming the largest renewable sources. Hydrogen has become a central element of EU plans to reach net-zero emission by mid-century. It is possible to produce it through a variety of processes resulting in different types of hydrogen: “green hydrogen”, “blue hydrogen” and “turquoise hydrogen”. These are GHG emissions-free or are characterised by lower GHG emissions-intensity, whereas “grey hydrogen” is GHG emissions-intensive. Many climate advocates believe the future lies in green hydrogen - an inexhaustible energy carrier that can be produced using renewable electricity and an electrolyser which splits water into oxygen and hydrogen.
There are plenty of challenges ahead. Financial stability is key to enable the development of renewable energy sources. To effectively integrate renewables, investments in the development of grid infrastructure are mandatory.
Is it time to scale up technologies to reduce costs, allowing renewable energy sources such as green hydrogen to become widely used? How long might that take? And how can policymakers, especially with the upcoming review of the EU's renewables and energy efficiency directives in June 2021, help accelerate the transition to newer forms of renewable energy?
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Location
Online
Panellists
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Adam Guibourge-Czetwertynski, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Climate and Environment Poland
Paula Pinho, Head of Unit Renewables and Energy System Integration Policy, DG ENER, European Commission
Hildegard Bentele MEP, ITRE Committee Member, European Parliament
Barbara Mariani, Senior Policy Officer for Climate, EEB
Kristian Ruby, Secretary General, Eurelectric
Pawel Poneta, Executive Director for Research and Innovation, TAURON Group
Moderator
Frédéric Simon, Energy Editor, EURACTIV
Schedule
09:30 – 09:35 Welcome
09:35 – 09:50 Keynote speech
09:50 – 10:05 Panellists statements
10:05 – 10:55 Discussion and Q&A
10:55 – 11:00 Closing statements
Contact
Simona Ovesea
simona.ovesea@euractiv.com
+32 (0)2 788 36 86
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Europe needs a massive increase in renewable electricity to meet its 2030 decarbonisation targets, including a ramp up of clean hydrogen production from electrolysers, a senior EU official has said.