“From Source to Destination: Shaping the Supply of Renewable and Low-carbon Hydrogen and its Derivatives from Canada to the EU”
With states urgently seeking to counter rising global temperatures, renewable hydrogen will play a central role in the necessary future net-zero scenario as a replacement for fossil fuels and fossil-based hydrogen for sectors that are hard to electrify or otherwise defossilise. The European Union is stepping up its uptake of renewable hydrogen in its energy mix. In line with REPowerEU communication, the EU should consume 20 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen by 2030, half of which should be imported. For the EU, partnering with like-minded countries such as Canada on hydrogen may generate a virtuous and mutually beneficial cooperation that is free of geopolitical tensions.
Canada aims to position itself amongst the top three largest producers of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen (in other words, green and blue) globally and to export significant amounts of hydrogen. Alongside the federal strategy, several of Canada’s provinces have published or announced their own strategies, including Alberta, British Colombia, Ontario and Quebec.
In this context, meetings between the EU and Canada are held to enhance the dialogues on the production and trade of hydrogen. A first virtual webinar, organised by the PtX Hub in collaboration with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), took place on 28 April 2022.
This second dialogue on 20 June 2022 focused on how to build a sustainable supply chain of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen from Canada to the EU, notably in relation to transportation and demand. This included the voices of Canada and the EU, as well as Canadian and European Port Organisations and private sector representatives. Ultimately, this event was held to generate wider public interest, increase the mutual understanding and gain clarity on the possible way forward.
Watch the recording:
Find the presentations here:
- Presentation on Low Carbon Hydrogen from Atlantic Canada to the EU by Alisdair McLean from Net Zero Atlantic
- Presentation on Required Infrastructure and Port Facilities for Hydrogen by Huibert van Rossum from the European Sea Port Organisation
Agenda
| 4:00 – 4:10 PM | Welcome Tudor Constantinescu, Principal Advisor to the Director General for Energy, DG ENER, European Commission Aaron Hoskins, Senior Manager Intergovernmental Initiatives, Department of Natural Resources Canada |
| 4:10 – 5:15 PM | Panel Discussion: How to Build a Sustainable Supply Chain of Renewable and Low-carbon Hydrogen from Canada to the EU? Alisdair McLean, Executive Director, Net Zero Atlantic Huibert van Rossum, Chair of the Technical Committee on Energy Networks, European Sea Port Organisation (ESPO) Moderated by Heino von Meyer, Sustainability & Global Relations, PtX Hub Followed by a Q&A |
| 5:15 – 5:30 PM | Closing Remarks: Main Take-Aways and Outlook Tudor Constantinescu, Principal Advisor to the Director General for Energy, DG ENER, European Commission Aaron Hoskins, Senior Manager Intergovernmental Initiatives, Department of Natural Resources Canada |
The speakers
Tudor Constantinescu
Principal Advisor to the Director General for Energy, DG ENER, European Commission
Dr. Tudor Constantinescu is Principal Adviser to the Director General for Energy in the European Commission since March 2011. He is an engineer and economist by education. Before joining the Commission, he set up as Executive Director the Buildings Performance Institute Europe. He was the president of the Romanian Agency for Energy Conservation and for the period 2008-2009 he ensured the presidency of the EnR network of European Energy Agencies. Between 1996-2007, he coordinated the energy efficiency and related environmental activities of the Energy Charter Secretariat in Brussels.
Aaron Hoskin, Senior Manager Intergovernmental Initiatives, Natural Resources Canada
Dr. Aaron Hoskin is Senior Manager responsible for Federal, Provincial and International activities within the Fuel Diversification Division at Natural Resources Canada. He has over 15 years of experience in fostering greater production and use of low carbon fuels across the economy. He has led and contributed to the development of various programs and policies, aimed to decarbonize Canada’s economy, including The Hydrogen Strategy for Canada, electrification of transportation, electric and alternative fuels infrastructure, and greening government fleets. His work extends internationally, including representing Canada on several initiatives under the Clean Energy Ministerial. He has a Ph. D in chemistry, with a focus on catalytic activation of small molecules, including hydrogen, and methane.
Alisdair McLean
Executive Director, Net Zero Atlantic
An executive with a proven combination of technical, commercial and communications skills, Alisdair has been essential to the growth of Net Zero Atlantic. A record of accomplishments across diverse industries, he has over 15 years experience in renewable energy and energy efficiency industry with demonstrated skills as establishing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and industry players. Alisdair is an advocate for R&D that assesses impacts of energy development and renewable energy technologies on the natural and social environment. He understands business drivers and can analyze complex problems while providing purposeful solutions. A successful motivator and leader of cross-functional teams, Alisdair is a fundamental part of the team.
Alisdair holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (B.Eng) from Dalhousie University and Strategic Marketing Essentials from Wharton, University of Pennsylvania.
Huibert van Rossum
Chair of the Technical Committee on Energy Networks, European Sea Port Organisation (ESPO)
Huibert van Rossum is Chairman of the European Seaport Organization (ESPO) Energy Transition Network. The Network brings experts from European Ports together to share knowledge and expertise on Energy topics related to Ports. ESPO is from this network also represented in the CEM Global Ports Hydrogen Coalition. This Ports Coalition will enhance policy dialogue and project-oriented collaboration related to scaling up the production and use of low-carbon hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels in industrial coastal areas. As expert Huibert works at Port of Rotterdam from the department of External Affairs on the Energy Transition Program which is established to transform the Ports industrial complex to an sustainability.
