This Business-to-Government Dialogue fosters exchange between the German energy industry and high-ranking government officials this year from Colombia. During this year’s session, the German industry representatives have the opportunity to obtain valuable information on the current legal and economic framework of the country in question. The focus will be on different aspects on national energy strategies and recent developments of high-level government speakers.
Both Germany and France have developed a national hydrogen strategy in the past year, in which 9 and 7 billion € respectively are to be invested. Both countries focus on the use of hydrogen in the industrial and heavy-duty sectors. In addition, more is to be invested in research and innovation.
The German hydrogen strategy states that only so-called “green hydrogen”, i.e. hydrogen produced on the basis of renewable energies, is sustainable in the long term. Therefore, Germany wants to actively support its market ramp-up. The goal is to have generation plants with a total capacity of up to 5 GW by 2030 in order to be able to cover part of the hydrogen demand itself. The majority of hydrogen demand, on the other hand, is to be imported.
The French hydrogen strategy speaks of “decarbonised hydrogen”. The goal is to install electrolysers with a total capacity of 6.5 GW by 2030. The development of hydrogen technology is also expected to create up to 150,000 jobs, either directly or indirectly.
The national hydrogen strategies will be presented in more detail at the online conference. Registration is free of charge for DFBEW members, press and public authorities and 140 EUR for non-members and third parties.
Languages: German & French
The Green Recovery is a broadly used term nowadays. People and states put their hopes in the concept in order to both achieve their renewable energy and climate targets and overcome the economic downturn due to Covid-19 pandemic. But also in the longer run a structural change towards a greener and more sustainable economic system is needed in order to ensure both adequate living conditions for every species on earth and economic prosperity.
How can we integrate green structures into our economic systems? How can Covid-recovery measures trigger a strong momentum for green growth? Which measures need to be undertaken? What is the role of the energy transition in that regard?
This closing session seeks to explore these questions and to draw conclusions, by looking at it from a scientific point of view. It is also a wonderful opportunity to give an outlook and to take a look back at the different topics of the conference and examine their validity for bringing a green structural change in our economic systems.
In the international context, energy has always been a key issue due to national interests and security. The abundance of oil and gas in an energy exporting country and the dependency on the import of fossil fuels in the recipient country heavily influence their economic and political relations. Meanwhile, the reality of climate change is forcing the international community to explore cleaner, more sustainable forms of energy, which may lead to a reshuffling of traditional energy partnerships and impact international trade relations. With the rise of technologies for renewable energy generation, new structures of cooperation and competition are emerging. Especially the production of and demand for green hydrogen as an alternative fuel and as a method of storing energy has the potential to change international relations based on resource abundance and technological capabilities. New players are entering the global energy market, especially countries with an abundance of renewable energy sources and producers of electrolysis technology. However, international fossil fuel infrastructure, such as pipelines and storage tanks, could become assets for the reliable transport and distribution of green hydrogen. How will countries respond to and capitalize on this reconfiguration of international energy relations?
One of today’s most important challenges is the decarbonization of the economy. Within just a few decades, all our energy needs will have to come from carbon-free sources. This will require huge changes in little more than a single generation, and will demand innovative solutions, technologies and policies. Hydrogen plays a crucial role in making this fundamental change to our energy systems.
If the world acts to prevent the climate emergency from becoming a catastrophic reality for the next generations, the global hydrogen economy of the future will be massive.
Our discussion will shed a light on the opportunities and challenges of hydrogen in the green economy.
The industrial sector is both a global economic powerhouse and a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for roughly one-third of global GHG emissions. In order to further accelerate the decarbonization process, one major task remains greening the industry, especially the “hard-to-abate” sectors. Key areas of transformation are energy intensive industries such as steel, cement and basic chemicals. Challenges include the transition from conventional to advanced carbon-negative manufacturing processes and other breakthrough technologies, the provision of large amounts of renewable electricity and carbon-neutral hydrogen as well as the establishment of the necessary infrastructure, e.g. for green hydrogen and sequestered carbon dioxide. Another area is the interplay with the energy grid, where the industry sector has huge potential for flexibility through Demand-Side-Management (DSM). This session will explore potential measures aimed at “greening” industrial processes by means of energy efficiency gains, regulatory mechanisms and, where possible, direct use of renewables through greater market competitiveness and availability.
On the path to climate-neutrality by 2050, the coming decade plays a crucial role. There is a need to undertake decisive steps for decarbonization and significantly accelerate the energy transition politically, economically and socially in the coming decade. This includes the effective and widespread implementation of renewable energy technologies in all end-uses, including green hydrogen, but also the implementation of frameworks for green investments, activities and the inclusion of civil society in shaping and driving the Energiewende. This panel seeks to explore what the decade to 2030 needs to contribute to a successful quest for climate neutrality by 2050.
Arguably no other crisis facing us today is as all-encompassing as the changing climate. Every country, every age group, every level of society is threatened by the manifold adverse effects of climate change. Only by marshalling a truly global and collective effort to contain these developments can we guarantee a prosperous and secure future. This task concerns everyone, everywhere. That is why the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue invites policymakers, industry representatives, young generational leaders, and civil society to exchange ideas and views on these issues. This year, the conference will be opened by the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Heiko Maas and the Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy, Peter Altmaier. The opening keynote speech will be held by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and young climate activists from all over the globe: Vanessa Nakate, Climate Activist, Fridays for Future Uganda & Brianna Fruean, Climate Activist & Pacific Climate Warrior, Samoa/New Zealand.
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