Pathways to Decarbonization and Integration

Pathways to Decarbonization and Integration

10.04.2025, Poznań, MTP, PCC, level 0, stage 5, 12:00-12:50

Panel description

Hydrogen is a key component of Europe's decarbonization strategy and transition to a low-carbon economy. With the growing urgency to combat climate change, green hydrogen has gained importance as a clean and versatile energy carrier. This panel will focus on the development of the hydrogen economy in Europe, including its integration into various sectors such as industry, energy and transportation. Special attention will be given to European strategies, regulations and international cooperation, as well as the progress of hydrogen hubs and valleys, such as Hydrogen Valleys, which aim to catalyze innovation and build cross-border hydrogen infrastructure. Participants will discuss the role of hydrogen in achieving Europe's decarbonization goals, with particular emphasis on aligning policy frameworks, promoting financial support and ensuring regulatory harmonization across the region.

Purpose of the panel

The aim of the panel is to understand how the development of the hydrogen market in Europe supports decarbonization goals and how individual sectors can integrate with the solution. The discussion will also address key strategies, regulations, technological innovations and project financing that will enable the integration of hydrogen in industry, energy and transportation, as well as international cooperation within the European Union.

Key issues

1.European Hydrogen Strategies:

• Green hydrogen as a pillar of the European Green Deal: What place does green hydrogen have in the policies of the European Green Deal? What specific goals have been set in the European Green Deal, as well as in other European decarbonization initiatives?
• Hydrogen in the REPowerEU strategy: How does REPowerEU, the EU's strategy to increase energy independence and decarbonization, place hydrogen in the broader context of Europe's energy transition? What concrete steps are being taken to make hydrogen a key component of Europe's energy mix?

2.Integration of hydrogen into economic sectors:

• Hydrogen in industry, energy and transportation: How can hydrogen support the decarbonization of industry (including heavy industry, chemicals), energy (including electricity and heat production) and transportation? What are the real prospects for hydrogen deployment in these sectors, and which technologies are closest to commercialization?
• The role of hydrogen in the decarbonization of the maritime and aviation sectors: What is the importance of hydrogen for the decarbonization of maritime and aviation transportation? What innovative solutions are being developed in these sectors, and what support do they need to become key players in global decarbonization?

3.Development of European hydrogen hubs and valleys:

• Initiatives such as Hydrogen Valleys: What initiatives, such as Hydrogen Valleys, are contributing to the creation of hydrogen innovation ecosystems? What regions in Europe are leading the way in building such hubs, and what benefits do they bring to industry, technology, and local communities?
• Opportunities for international cooperation under I3 and IPCEI: What are the opportunities for international cooperation in the development of the hydrogen market under initiatives such as Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) and I3? What projects between member states can help accelerate the development of hydrogen technologies across Europe?

4.Regulatory cooperation and financing:

• Unification of hydrogen standards and certification in the EU: What progress is being made in creating EU standards and certifications for green hydrogen? What challenges do member states face in unifying these standards, as well as ensuring the safety and transparency of the hydrogen market?
• Financial support from the Innovation Fund and Horizon Europe programs: What funding mechanisms available under the Innovation Fund and programs such as Horizon Europe can support the development of the hydrogen economy in Europe? What are the prospects for further financial support from the EU in the context of hydrogen technology development?