Hydrogen energy, which emits no CO2 during consumption is being emphasized as a necessary technology to achieve the goals of the ‘European Green Deal’ and “Climate Neutrality.” Thus, European companies are steadily beginning to integrate the use of hydrogen energy into their business plans. To further accelerate the shift to a hydrogen society, the EU published its European Hydrogen Strategy in July 2020, and the recent situation in Ukraine has drawn attention to the role of hydrogen from the perspective of energy security. In Japan, the Basic Energy Plan approved by the Cabinet in October 2021 also positions hydrogen as a new energy source in terms of energy policy and calls for a drastic strengthening of efforts to realize a hydrogen society.
In this webinar to be held on 27 April (Thursday) from 9:00-10:30 CEST, European regions and Japanese prefectures will introduce their respective initiatives for the development and diffusion of hydrogen in this context and exchange views. The webinar will be opened by Ambassador Jean-Eric Paquet followed by a keynote speech from Eero Ailio, DG REGIO Advisor on the EU’s Strategy for Energy Transition and Hydrogen. Participating EU regions will then share their experiences and best practices on the topic. Specifically, the Hydrogen Corridor in Basque Country and the Zero Emission Valley in Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes will be highlighted while other examples from Val d’Oise, Emilia Romania, and Catalonia will be showcased. The Japanese partners will also be briefly sharing their insights on the topic.
Below, you will find an overview of the meeting agenda:
08:50-09:00 CEST Registration and Setting the Scene 08:50-09:00 JST
Participants can enter the meeting room and test the line connection and interpretation service.
Moderated Ryoko Nakano, EU-Japan Region-to-Region Innovation Cooperation Helpdesk (IGES)
09:00–09:20 CEST Welcome and Opening 16:00-16:20 JST
Meeting will begin with moderator’s recapturing of the opening address made by Jean-Eric Paquet, the Head of Delegation of the EU to Japan at the previous Webinar on 26 April and followed by keynote speech by an official from the European Commission.
- Keynote Speech: Eero Ailio, Advisor, DG REGIO, “EU’s Strategy for Energy Transition and Hydrogen”
09:25– 09:50 CEST Keynote Speech on Regional Activities 16:25-16:50 JST
Two keynote speeches will be provided from regional perspectives in the EU.
Keynote Speech (1): Juan Manuel Fernandez Etxaniz, Project Manager, Basque Country, “Hydrogen Corridor in Basque Country”
Keynote Speech (2): Mrs. Laurence Minne, Hydrogen project manager, Expertise Department, Environment and Positive Ecology Department – Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, “Zero Emission Valley in Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes”
09:50– 10:10 CEST Snapshots of Related Activities in EU Regions 16 50-17:10 JST
There will be presentation by EU regions on their energy transition policy strategies and hydrogen deployment.
- Isaac Justicia, Director of Technical Office at Catalonia Hydrogen Valley, Hydrogen Valley in Catalonia:
- Mr Raimondi Attilio, Dep. for Energy and green transition, Emilia Romagna Region; “The regional policy towards green energy: measures and examples”
- Report from Val d’Oise (tbc)
10:10– 10:25 CEST Comments and Q&A 17:10 -17:25 JST
Hidefumi Imura, Team Leader, EU-Japan Region-to-Region Innovation Project, will present related activities in Japan, followed by questions from the floor
10:25-10:30 CEST Quick Evaluation and Closing 17:25-17:30 JST
The webinar is restricted to regions and prefectures in the programme but stay tuned for further updates including results of the webinar.