The subject of the energy transition is vast and breaking it down into an energy source like hydrogen is an extremely helpful exercise, the micro-level that helps inform the macro. The European American Chamber of Commerce Texas and EACC Netherlands, with the Amsterdam-based law firm Houthoff, held a program about how hydrogen may evolve in the energy transition. The potential of hydrogen continues to fascinate and it’s a very complex topic. I had the privilege to sculpt and moderate the panel with a fine set of experts:
• Air Liquide’s VP, Large Industries, Business Development, Gert Jan ten Cate;
• Houthoff counsel Kirsten Berger and Marc van Beuge, both energy law experts;
• and the Port of Rotterdam’s Nico Van Dooren, charged with advancing the net-zero ambitions of the major global hub and European port.
A brief tee-up of the panel follows:
This is really an amazing group of experts and an equally impressive audience.
It feels like a historic time for the energy systems of the world -- with the two most advanced energy blocs presenting different realities but some common vision. The horizon of this energy transition keeps shifting. More recently is the push to net zero. And it’s driving investment in new and different ways.
Here in Texas, we are the largest producer of oil and gas in the U.S. Entrepreneurial grit is largely responsible for this after two sequential shale revolutions: one in natural gas and then the next in unconventional oil. The efforts by innovative firms cannot be underestimated. The U.S. finds itself in a slightly different conversation than that of Europe.
Europe’s net-zero ambitions are more advanced than those of the U.S.’s. The EU is working out how to reduce carbon emissions in a more granular way— but innovation, incentives and what firms do will matter. The investment case for energy sources, both traditional and emergent, is in flux.
We are fortunate to have our experts talking about Europe’s energy transition, as well as their insights about the U.S. Hydrogen has received great attention as firms, analysts and policymakers try to assess the energy mix of the future.
Here is the LinkedIn page that includes the EEAC’s you tube channel replay, or the link directly.