The policy makers and energy leaders examine what needs to be done to enable the pivot towards hydrogen and ensure a rapid expansion of the hydrogen economy…reports Asian Lite News
For the first time this year, a dedicated hydrogen zone, Gastech Hydrogen, has been added to Gastech, the world’s foremost gas, LNG, hydrogen, and energy event. The conversation delivering on the global hydrogen vision to help meet decarbonisation targets and progress towards net-zero energy commitments.
Co-located with Gastech 2021, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, in Dubai, the Hydrogen Zone features a series of dedicated conference sessions focused on the potential of hydrogen in creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future and for GCC hydrocarbon producers to reduce methane emissions and drive the development of the hydrogen economy.
In addition to the conference sessions, taking place today and tomorrow, a high-level Ministerial Panel was held on the opening day of Gastech 2021 which focused on what more needs to be done by policymakers to ensure the rapid expansion of the hydrogen supply chain and what impact regulations will have on facilitating the pivot towards green and blue hydrogen. Ministers from leading energy markets participated in the panel.
H.E. UDAYA GAMMANPILA, SRI LANKA’S MINISTER OF ENERGY: “Whilst electrification using solar, and wind can help replace fossil fuels in the longer term, not all energy intensive applications can be readily electrified (e.g. aviation). We therefore believe hydrogen can be the fuel of the future, by tapping further into Sri Lanka’s abundant wind and solar potential. Indeed, hydrogen is likely to make Sri Lanka self-reliant in energy and possibly a net exporter.”
Today, (September 22) Hydrogen Zone attendees heard how hydrogen presents Gulf energy producers with a globally significant opportunity to remodel their business practices and lead the transition towards Net-Zero energy. Although scaling up projects, infrastructure and end user accessibility will present huge challenges, the production of both green and blue hydrogen offers a unique chance to deliver on climate commitments and drastically reduce CO2 emissions. Tomorrow (September 23), the focus of the Gastech Hydrogen Zone discussions will switch to what must happen by 2030 if hydrogen is to overcome existing barriers to wide scale adoption and achieve the vision of the hydrogen economy.
In the Gulf region, substantial natural-gas reserves are seen as an opportunity to produce hydrogen. Work is already underway on megaprojects to expand the UAE’s hydrogen economy, including a two gigawatt green ammonia project by Taqa, the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, and Abu Dhabi Ports which will use green hydrogen as feedstock to produce liquid ammonia for use in ships as bunker fuel and for export.
ALSO READ: UAE Targets $100B Trade With India Within 5 Years
Meanwhile, the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) has announced plans for a $1 billion green ammonia plant, which will produce 200,000 tonnes of green ammonia from 40,000 tonnes of green hydrogen. In addition, Masdar has partnered with Siemens Energy, the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Marubeni Corporation and Khalifa University to develop an electrolysis facility to produce green hydrogen for the transport industry.
And, in Ruwais, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is developing an ammonia project, using blue hydrogen, derived from methane, as a feedstock, at its downstream industrial hub and formed an alliance with ADQ and Mubadala to accelerate the use of hydrogen in key economic sectors, including utilities, transport and industry.
Elsewhere in the Arabian Gulf region, Oman has announced a US $31 billion green hydrogen factory to be built in the Al Wusta governorate and Saudi Arabi plans to invest US $5 billion in the futuristic city Neon to produce green hydrogen from both wind and solar powered electrolysis by 2025.
Taking place over three days, the Gastech Conference programme has brought together over 300 government ministers, energy industry leaders, policymakers, and key customers to map out a future low-emission landscape. Key topics being discussed, in addition to hydrogen’s role in the energy transition, include decarbonisation and emissions management; financing and project investment; adapting business models in a post-Covid world; integrated energy suppliers; gas and LNG supply and demand dynamics; diversification of the future workforce and trading, contracting and pricing.
Simultaneously, the Gastech Technical Conference is taking place around five learning streams – Hydrogen; Marine; EPC and Project; Processing and AI and Technology. The programme is providing multiple opportunities for working professionals to learn from over 300 of the world’s leading energy engineers as they present the latest technological breakthroughs and market opportunities for the industry.
Gastech 2021, is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and is supported by the UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. The exhibition and conference is co-hosted by ADNOC, Shell, and Venture Global LNG.
Before it closes tomorrow, (Thursday, September 23) Gastech 2021 will have received more than 15,000 visitors including senior decision-makers and energy industry thought leaders, and 250 exhibiting companies. Taking place alongside Gastech 2021 is the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) enabling visitors to attend both events’ exhibitions without the need to register twice.