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Minister Eamon Ryan to address Ireland’s first hydrogen conference in November
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Ireland could benefit as global demand for hydrogen to double by 2030
Current events affecting Ireland’s climate and economy mean now is the time to realise the wide-ranging benefits offered by hydrogen. That’s according to Hydrogen Ireland, an all-island organisation that works to raise awareness and promote the potential of the energy carrier, which launched its annual conference today. The event at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Dublin on November 22nd and 23rd will offer delegates the opportunity to learn more under the theme Hydrogen: Securing Ireland’s Green Energy Future.
Hydrogen is a carbon neutral source of energy, can be produced in Ireland and offers another method of storing and using renewable energy. Hydrogen Ireland says the realities offered by hydrogen are increasingly vital to our critical energy needs, especially as the country needs to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and develop our security of supply.
Keynote speaker at the event, Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport, Eamon Ryan TD says: “I’ve been following the rapid development of the technology around delivering hydrogen and there certainly has been a lot of progress. It is vital that Ireland should realise the full potential of green hydrogen in decarbonising our economy and energy systems and we are taking important steps to achieve this. The government has just launched a public consultation on developing our national hydrogen strategy and I hope to see the strategy published by the end of the year. November’s conference will be a timely one and I’m looking forward to attending”.
Global demand for hydrogen is forecast to double by 2030, and increase exponentially beyond 2050*. There is a potential for 50-60% of that to be GreenH2 -hydrogen produced from renewable sources. According to Hydrogen Ireland, industry experts believe the European Union hydrogen industry could reach a market size of 65 billion euro by 2030, if all member states adopt policies which adhere to the Paris Climate Agreement**. Ireland has the potential of capturing a significant % of this green market, bringing with it sustainable employment opportunities for highly-skilled workers on the cutting edge of the energy industry
Conference organiser Paul McCormack believes the opportunities of ‘game-changing’ hydrogen technology must be grasped with both hands. He says: “Given the heat extremes seen just this month, the rising cost of living and the pressures on supply because of international factors and our reliance on imports, it has never been more important to realise and maximise the potential offered by hydrogen”.
Other speakers at November’s conference include:
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Piero Ercoli, Senior Vice President of Decarbonisation Projects at Snam, (a leading global player in gas transmission, storage and regasification),
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Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, Hydrogen Europe,
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Bart Biebuyck, Clean Hydrogen Partnership,
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Catherine Joyce O’Caollai, Indaver and representatives of other organisations including Siemens, ESB, GNI, Bord na Mona, dCarbonX, ITM Power, Bord Na Mona, Pinsent Mason, Bechtel, IDA, Enterprise Ireland, DfE Hydrogen, EIH2, An Post
The Hydrogen Ireland Conference is supported by ESB, Gas Networks Ireland and Siemens Energy. For more information on the event and registration, go to www.h2irl.com .