RENMAD H2 ITALIA 2024 AGENDA
1. From Regulation to Opportunity: Understand the impact of the new regulatory framework on the creation of a sustainable renewable H2 value chain
- Analyse how the new delegated acts and RED III affect the development of your H2 projects and whether there are grey areas
- Understand the new gas and hydrogen package and how it incentivizes the creation of an H2 market, the development of infrastructure and the use of H2 in the energy sector
- Ambition vs. reality: Can European and national targets of 10 million tonnes of H2 produced in Europe and other 10 million tonnes imported by 2030
- Consider whether the new regulatory framework represents a competitive edge over other markets
2. Unveiling Italian government support for renewable hydrogen
To foster the growth of H2 projects in Italy the government has introduced a suite of transformative funding programs, including PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan – NRRP)*, FER (Renewable Energy Fund) among others. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of these funding mechanisms, empowering Italian H2 stakeholders to navigate the intricate funding landscape and secure the crucial financial support for their endeavours.
- Decipher Italian H2 Funding Instruments: Unveil the intricacies of PNRR, FER, and IPCEI Hy2Use, including their goals, eligibility criteria, and funding amounts
- Gain insights into the specific application procedures, deadlines, and requirements for accessing the government ́s funding programs
- Establish a leading edge in the Italian H2 market through strategic utilization of government funding and driving the adoption of sustainable mobility solutions
3. Opportunities in the European Hydrogen Bank (EHB) auctions
The European Hydrogen Bank (EHB) has emerged as a game-changer in the development of renewable hydrogen (H2) in Europe, offering a unique financing mechanism that aims to accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon economy. Its speed, simplicity, and flexibility have made it a valuable tool for H2 projects across the continent, but there is still room for improvement. This session will explore how the EHB auction system can be further enhanced to maximize its impact on the Italian H2 market and beyond.
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the EHB’s auction process, including the key deadlines for the first auction and the announcement of the second, and how to position your project ahead of your competitor ́s
- Comprehend how the EHB is transforming the H2 landscape, creating new markets, facilitating imports, and attracting both public and private financing
- Gain insights into how Italian H2 companies can harness the EHB’s support and become frontrunners in the global H2 economy
4. How to lower the cost of renewable hydrogen in Italy
Every year, industrial consumers in Italy employ more than 480,000 metric tons of grey H2. Renewable hydrogen producers could capture the entire domestic H2 market and growing demand of hydrogen as hard to abate industries and new transport and mobility clients.
However, the fact remains that making renewable hydrogen is more expensive than making grey hydrogen, and clients are generally not willing to pay premium prices for commodities. The cost of producing renewable H2 is still in the range of €5-8 per kg, which means renewable H2 is two to five times more expensive than grey hydrogen. Pioneering companies are deploying strategies to slash the levelized cost of renewable hydrogen and beat grey H2. In this session we analyse how to produce renewable hydrogen at an unbeatable cost.
- Learn how to scale-up hydrogen production and reduce costs through economies of scale
- Find out how to source lots of cheap renewable energy to power your electrolysers and how to manage renewable energy variability to produce H2 round the clock
- Understand how the European and National grant money and gap financing can help you produce renewable hydrogen at a more competitive rate
- Choose the best electrolyser technology, comparing PEM, AEM, Alkaline and SOEC, depending on your production profile and the needs of your offtaker
5. Navigating the permitting maze for renewable hydrogen in Italy
Italy could be an important European player in the global renewable hydrogen (H2) revolution, with ambitious targets for its development. However, navigating the complex permitting process can be a daunting task for H2 stakeholders. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the Italian permitting framework for renewable H2 projects, empowering Italian H2 developers to efficiently navigate the permitting process and ensure timely project execution.
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the Italian permitting process for renewable H2 projects, including its stages, timelines, and key milestones
- Learn the most effective strategies for obtaining permits for renewable H2 projects at the regional level, ensuring compliance with local regulations and minimizing delays
- Establish strong relationships with local and regional institutions to understand their requirements, streamline communication, and expedite the permitting process
- Effectively manage the permitting process, ensuring that all required permits are obtained promptly and efficiently, paving the way for timely H2 project completion
6. Opportunities for growth in renewable hydrogen valleys across Italy
Across Italy there are several hydrogen hubs or valleys in different stages of development. Hydrogen hubs create networks of producers, consumers and local infrastructure to accelerate the production and use of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier that can deliver or store large amounts of energy. In this session we explore the value of the hubs to accelerate the development of hydrogen in Italy.
- Hear the latest on the developments of hydrogen hubs across the country and how they are pioneering the production and consumption of renewable hydrogen in Italy
- Discover the strategies of hydrogen hubs to accelerate the growth by streamlining permitting process and decrease project and development costs
- Hear how hubs are working to attract financing and investment in hydrogen from very different stakeholders across the supply chain
7. Navigating the demand landscape for renewable hydrogen in Italy: understanding offtakers’ needs and preferences
While oil refining, fertilizer production, and the chemical industry currently account for the majority of H2 consumption, other sectors, including land mobility, air and sea transport; and metallurgy, are poised to emerge as key offtakers of renewable H2 in the medium term. This session will analyze how to find offtakers for your hydrogen, what they are looking for, and how to reach an agreement with them.
- Understand the specific requirements and price expectations of key H2 offtaker industries in Italy, including oil refining, fertilizer production, the chemical industry, land mobility, air and sea transport, and metallurgy
- Explore the various contractual arrangements between H2 producers and buyers, such as Hydrogen Purchase Agreements (HPAs), and their implications for the H2 market in Italy
- Identify the factors driving the demand for renewable H2 in Italy and assess the distribution of H2 demand across different regions, enabling informed investment decisions
- Equip yourself with the knowledge and insights to navigate the Italian H2 offtaker landscape, contributing to the development of a robust and sustainable H2 supply chain in the country
8. Navigating the challenges and opportunities of hydrogen blending in Italy
Blending renewable hydrogen into the gas pipeline could be a key enabler for the energy transition, decarbonizing almost instantly much of the energy consumption and adding energy security. However, as current regulation allows for 2 to 5% of hydrogen blended, and with technical limitations of up to 25% of maximum blend with current infrastructure, considering blending as a long term strategy is in question as it would require very large infrastructure developments in the near future.
In this session we delve into the challenges and opportunities of hydrogen blending in Italy, providing insights into the technological, regulatory, and market aspects that influence its adoption.
- Comprehend the technical considerations involved in blending hydrogen with natural gas, including the impact on pipeline integrity, combustion characteristics, safety measures, pipeline modifications, metering systems, and end-user equipment
- Gain insights into the Italian regulatory framework governing hydrogen blending, including safety standards, labelling requirements, and approval processes
- Analyse the potential market opportunities for hydrogen blending in Italy, considering the demand from various sectors such as power generation, industrial applications, and residential heating
- Learn about emerging technologies that address the challenges of hydrogen blending, such as advanced materials for pipelines, smart metering solutions, and smart appliances
- Assess the economic viability of hydrogen blending projects in Italy, considering factors such as hydrogen production costs, blending margins, and carbon pricing
9. Fostering a thriving renewable hydrogen ecosystem in Italy: the pivotal role of large producers
Renewable H2 producers play a critical role in establishing a sustainable, commercially viable, and competitive ecosystem in Italy. This session will delve into the opportunities and challenges that hydrogen production project developers are facing whilst developing projects in Italy.
- Hear the multiple challenges that hydrogen developers are facing, from permitting issues to financing challenges, and how they are overcoming them to deliver their projects in record time
- Uncover the factors that contribute to reducing renewable H2 costs, propelling the commercial viability of H2 projects
- Identify the essential infrastructure required for the long-term success of the H2 market, and explore potential investment sources
- Embrace a business model built on alliances and cooperation, fostering project success, driving innovation and industry growth
10. Case studies and insights from trailblazing renewable hydrogen projects
Italy is at the forefront of the renewable hydrogen (H2) revolution, with ambitious plans to establish a thriving H2 ecosystem. This session will delve into the experiences of pioneering H2 projects in Italy, providing valuable insights into business models, risk mitigation strategies, regulatory challenges, and infrastructure development.
- Equip yourself with practical knowledge and best practices from Italian H2 pioneers, enabling you to become a leader in the Italian H2 market
- Discover the innovative business models employed by Italian H2 pioneers, gaining a deeper understanding of revenue streams, minimizing risks and embarking on collaborative partnerships
- Gain insights into how Italian H2 project developers have navigated regulatory complexities and regulatory uncertainties, fostering a supportive environment for H2 deployment
11. Design, construction and operation of renewable hydrogen projects to maximize efficiency and profitability
The competitiveness of renewable hydrogen vs grey hydrogen has improved thanks to the rising price of natural gas. However, there is still a long way to go to reduce the production costs of renewable hydrogen so that it can displace fossil hydrogen in all uses. An important part of this cost reduction involves optimizing projects at all stages: from initial conception to delivery of the hydrogen, to the end customer. In this session, experts will discuss how to ensure abundant and affordable renewable electricity, and electrolyser operation strategies to obtain renewable hydrogen at the lowest possible price.
- Compare the merits of different renewable hydrogen generation plant designs, such as those operating with direct-connected renewable plants, to plants with grid-connected virtual renewable PPAs
- Analyse the business case for up-scaling and down-scaling electrolyser operating hours vs. 24/7 operation to determine which best suits your project
- Understand how to size an electrolyser correctly depending on the intended use of the project, the specific hydrogen quality and the pressure required by the offtaker
- Examine the optimized way to operate electrolysers to ensure longer life, while maintaining high performance and minimizing down times
12. A comprehensive analysis of electrolyser technology opportunities and how the supply chain is evolving
Electrolysers stand as the cornerstone of renewable hydrogen (H2) production, enabling the conversion of water and renewable energy into a clean and sustainable fuel. This session will provide an in-depth exploration of various electrolyser technologies, their commercial potential, and their impact on H2 production costs.
- Gain insights into the commercial maturity, track record, cost, and growth potential of alkaline, PEM, SOEC, AEM, and photoelectrocatalysis electrolysers for your H2 projects
- Understand the advantages, disadvantages, and suitability of each electrolyser technology for renewable H2 production, considering factors such as efficiency, durability, and scalability
- Learn from industry experts about the latest advancements in electrolyser technologies and their potential to reduce costs and enable large-scale production
- Understand the key challenges, high costs and bottlenecks hindering the rapid scaling of electrolyser production, from material availability to manufacturing capabilities and lifecycle considerations
13. A comprehensive guide to hydrogen storage in Italy
A robust logistics infrastructure is essential to fully harness the potential of H2, with efficient storage, transportation, and distribution systems. This session will provide an in-depth exploration of the latest technologies and strategies for managing H2 logistics in Italy.
- Explore the feasibility of building dedicated H2-only networks in Italy, examining the potential timeline for their operationalization and the benefits they offer for H2 distribution
- Explore various H2 storage solutions, including subway storage in salt caves, compression vessels, liquefaction, and liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs), selecting the most suitable approach for Italian conditions
- Understand the critical role of H2 logistics in enhancing the competitiveness of renewable H2 in Italy, optimizing the cost-effectiveness and accessibility of H2 for a wide range of applications
14. H2 infrastructure: The key role of H2 transport infrastructure in Italy
Developing hydrogen infrastructure is crucial for decarbonization through hydrogen. Building new pipelines or repurposing existing gas pipelines is a choice depending on cost-effective and sustainable approach to accelerate the country’s hydrogen adoption. This session will explore the global context, challenges, and solutions for developing gas pipelines for hydrogen transportation in Italy.
- Understand the Italian plan for the development of the hydrogen backbone in the European context
- Gain insights into the readiness of the existing natural gas pipeline to transport hydrogen, safety and cost-efficiency considerations, ensuring alignment with investment objectives
- Comprehend the challenges involved in constructing dedicated hydrogen transportation networks, ensuring compliance with European (Gas Package) and Italian regulations
- Understand the new gas and hydrogen package and how it further supports the creation of an H2 market, the development of infrastructure and the use of H2 in the energy sector
- Importance of financial support for infrastructure development
15. Navigating the future of renewable ammonia, methanol, and renewable fuels in Italy
Italy is poised to play a significant role in the global shift towards renewable fuels, with a focus on ammonia, methanol, and other chemicals as viable pathways to transport and utilize hydrogen. This session will explore the medium-term market potential for these renewable chemicals and fuels in Italy, providing insights into their production processes, real-world case studies, and the value chain dynamics shaping their development.
- Analyse the current and projected demand for renewable ammonia, methanol, and other renewable fuels in Italy, understanding their role in decarbonizing various sectors
- Delve into the technology, plant design, energy consumption, and by-product considerations involved in producing renewable ammonia, methanol, and other fuels from renewable hydrogen
- Examine the CO2 and NH3 value chain for synthetic fuel projects in Italy, exploring the role of Italy within the broader global context of renewable fuel development
- Equip yourself with the knowledge and insights to navigate the Italian renewable fuel market, gaining the competitive edge to establish leadership in this emerging sector
16. Key infrastructure and projects for driving the deployment of hydrogen refuelling stations for sustainable mobility
Hydrogen refuelling stations play a crucial role in providing a network for fuelling hydrogen-powered vehicles, facilitating their widespread adoption and accelerating Italy’s transition to zero-emission mobility. This session will explore the essential infrastructure and projects driving the deployment of hydrogen refuelling stations in Italy, providing insights into their role in supporting the hydrogen mobility revolution.
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the importance of hydrogen refuelling stations in the safe and efficient supply of renewable hydrogen for fuelling hydrogen-powered vehicles
- Delve into the technological and cost considerations involved in transporting hydrogen to refuelling stations, identifying solutions to overcome these challenges
- Gain insights into the Italian regulatory landscape governing hydrogen refuelling stations, ensuring compliance and navigating the evolving regulatory environment
17. Addressing water availability concerns for hydrogen projects in Italy
Italy’s pursuit of a decarbonized energy future hinges on the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources, including renewable hydrogen. However, the production of hydrogen, particularly through electrolysis, requires significant amounts of water. This poses a challenge in regions like Italy, where water resources are limited and vulnerable to climate change impacts. This session will explore the water availability issues associated with hydrogen projects in Italy and propose strategies to address them.
- Comprehend the water requirements for different hydrogen electrolysis and how water resources are available through Italy so you can secure the water you need for your hydrogen project
- Explore the potential of water desalination technologies to address water scarcity issues and support hydrogen production in water-stressed regions
- Explore innovative water management techniques to reduce the water footprint of your hydrogen production project, such as closed-loop systems, wastewater recycling, and water efficiency measures
- Collaborate with water stakeholders such as hydrogen producers, water authorities, and policymaker to develop water-efficient hydrogen production ecosystems
