ENERGY REPORT SHOWS ‘CRUCIAL’ POTENTIAL OF HYDROGEN POWER
Hydrogen Ireland welcomes experts’ praise for clean energy’s role in tackling climate change
Hydrogen Ireland says a major report from the International Energy Agency clearly illustrates the crucial role green hydrogen can play in helping to tackle climate change and securing our energy future. Hydrogen Ireland is an all-island organisation which works to raise awareness of green hydrogen’s potential when it comes to energy and power in the years to come
In an update to its Net Zero Roadmap the IEA stated that ‘Driving greenhouse gas emissions from the world’s energy sector to net zero and limiting global warming to 1.5 °C remains possible due to the record growth of key clean energy technologies, though momentum needs to increase rapidly in many areas’. Green hydrogen is emerging as one of the most efficient and cleanest fuels possible while also being potentially carbon neutral - a vital factor as territories aim to reach net zero in the years ahead.
Spokesman for Hydrogen Ireland Paul McCormack says the IEA’s report makes clear the importance of investing in and developing hydrogen infrastructure as quickly as possible: “We’re all well aware of the importance of trying to address global warming and here the experts are telling us that clean energy like that provided by green hydrogen is pivotal to keeping that door open. To me this reads as a reality check - there is no time to lose and we need to move more quickly to facilitate and roll out power generated by green hydrogen”.
The latest IEA report echoes another from the same organisation in recent days, in which it stated that ‘Momentum behind low-emissions hydrogen continues to grow despite the slow roll-out of financial incentives and stubborn cost pressures that threaten to delay projects’. Projects and policies will be among the topics Hydrogen Ireland will discuss at its annual conference on November 28 and 29, at Titanic Centre Belfast. The theme of the event will be ‘Hydrogen - delivering a balanced pathway to net zero’.
Garrett Monaghan, a partner with law firm Pinsent Masons and board member for Hydrogen Ireland, says hosting the event in Belfast emphasises the importance of cross-border cooperation on something that will affect all of our lives: “The Irish energy sector operates on an all-island basis. Practically, and as stated in the recent MoUs signed between the Irish and UK Governments, this will require integrated and optimised all-island use and development of offshore grid, gas transmission and related infrastructure.”
Fellow board member at Hydrogen Ireland and Policy Manager, Generation Strategy at ESB GT Catherine Joyce O’Caollai says “Building on the success of the all-island Single Electricity Market, hosting the event in Belfast acknowledges the importance of continued cooperation in decarbonising the energy system as we strive towards Net Zero. The Shared Island Initiative has supported important research and analysis to develop hydrogen transport infrastructure. A plan for the timely deployment of hydrogen refuelling will be necessary to meet national and EU targets”.
Denise Horgan, member of Hydrogen Ireland and Hydrogen Project Manager at Gas Networks Ireland, says “Gas Networks Ireland manage the gas flows across the island of Ireland and believes that the development of hydrogen can have a real impact of the creation of a net zero emissions economy, achieving sustainable growth while maximising renewable energy deployment. Belfast has been a leader in the deployment of hydrogen in transport and the Hydrogen Ireland conference will be looking to build on this momentum in November.”
Dr Andrew Woods, CEO and Co-Founder of Platinum sponsor, Catagen - a net-zero technologies company, based in Belfast, says “We’re delighted that the Hydrogen Ireland Conference is taking place in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter this year – only a short distance from CATAGEN and I look forward to welcoming delegates on tours of our net zero facilities. The island has an amazing opportunity to secure its energy sovereignty for generations to come by producing its own renewable hydrogen and e-fuels - as well as playing a vital role in developing and exporting new technologies such as CATAGEN’s renewable hydrogen and e-fuel generators, strengthening supply chains and creating the skills and jobs of the future to enable the transition globally to clean and decarbonise the air.”
The Hydrogen Ireland annual conference is supported by Catagen, Energia Group, ESB, Gas Networks Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland. Speakers at the event include representatives from ESB, Energia, Siemens, Gas Networks Ireland, the University of Oxford and the Scottish government. Full details of and tickets to the event are available at h2irl.com.