Virtual Forum on Hydrogen Economy

By 2050, hydrogen could meet up to 24% of the world’s energy needs, according to BloombergNEF. The demand for pure hydrogen is already around 70 Mt per year, mostly for use in oil refining and chemical production. This hydrogen is primarily produced from natural gas and coal, emitting substantial amounts of carbon dioxide. 

Today, countries are announcing national strategies to support the hydrogen industry. But will these new policies and investments help or hinder hydrogen’s role in the energy transition?

IISD is organizing a series of three public webinars on the Hydrogen Economy on October 26-27. The October 26 event will set out some guiding questions and present the state of play in the hydrogen sector overall. The October 27 events will involve dedicated workshops on key issues.

IISD will also hold a high-level discussion on November 2 on how governments should best intervene and support the market. Please note that this discussion will be by invitation only.

The Virtual Forum on Hydrogen Economy will highlight the following questions:

• How could international trade of hydrogen play a role in the low-carbon transition? What are the standards and requirements?
• Which niche markets should be prioritized today? (e.g., long-haul transportation, industrial use)
• What are the policy packages and financing mechanisms? What is needed?

Join us on October 26 and 27 to hear industry experts, policy-makers, and academics from around the globe explore answers to these questions and more.  

Program

October 26 | Geneva (UTC +2) 2 p.m. | Beijing (UTC +8) 9 p.m.

Welcome and Introduction 

Are we at the start of the age of hydrogen? Which countries and industries are leading the way?

Moderator: ​Peter Wooders, Senior Director, Energy at IISD

Presentations: 

• Introduction to the Hydrogen Economy, Richard Florizone, CEO, IISD 
• Global Perspectives on the Hydrogen Economy, Antoine Vagneur-Jones, EMEA Energy Transition Associate, BNEF
• Sweden’s Energy Goals, Climate Policies and Sectors, Sebastian Carbonari, Swedish Ministry of Infrastructure
• Clean Hydrogen Alliance, Noam Boussidan, Platform Curator on Energy, World Economic Forum (WEF)

Watch the full recording of this session

October 27 | Geneva (UTC +2) 2 p.m. | Beijing (UTC +8) 9 p.m.

Workshop 1

Present prospects for production and industrial use of hydrogen

Moderator: ​Richard Bridle, Senior Policy Advisor and Lead, Renewable Energy, IISD

Presentations: 

• Hydrogen Production in Inner Mongolia and Prospects of International Trade, Michael B. McElroy, Gilbert Butler Professor of Environmental Studies at Harvard University
• Current Status of Industrial Hydrogen: Uses, trends, and prospects, Mark Zacharias, Clean Energy Canada 
• Market Outlook for Industrial Hydrogen in China, Dang Yanbao, Baofeng Energy Group
• Japan’s Hydrogen use and Implications for Trade, Monica Nagashima, Japan Energy Transition Initiative
• Project Experience of Industrial Hydrogen, Samuel Perez Ramirez, Iberdrola

Watch the full recording of Workshop 1

October 27 | Geneva (UTC +2) 3:30 p.m. | Beijing (UTC +8) 10:30 p.m.

Workshop 2

Which transport sectors are on the brink of a hydrogen transition?

Moderator: ​Mostafa Mostafa,​ ​Policy Analyst, Energy, IISD

Presentations: 

• H2 Energy, Hyundai Making Hydrogen Trucks in Switzerland Today, Rolf Huber, H2 Energy
• A Challenge for Hydrogen Mobility Combining Local and Global Cooperation, Jean-Pierre Ponssard, Professor of Economics – École Polytechnique
• International Energy Agency, Fuel Cells and Transportation Roadmap, Jacob Teter, IEA 
• Transportation in Canada, Stefan Pauer, Clean Energy Canada 
• Freight Transportation: Towards the hydrogen economy, David Layzell, Director of the Canadian Energy Systems Analysis Research
• Hydrogen Is the Missing Link in Europe’s Strategy, William Todts, Transport & Environment

Watch the full recording of Workshop 2

November 2 | Geneva (UTC +2) 2 pm | Beijing (UTC +8)  9 pm

High-level panel – Attendance by invitation only

Global leadership and government perspectives on the hydrogen-based energy system