Under Biebuyck’s leadership there has been a strong emphasis on cooperation with cities and regions leading to the creation of the ‘European Hydrogen Valleys Partnership’ with around 40 regions. Dissemination of project results, building technology awareness and enhanced basic research became Biebuyck’s key focus points.
Before the FCH JU, he was at the Fuel Cell Department of ‘Toyota Motor Europe’ where he held the position of Technical Senior Manager. It is as part of the Clean Energy Partnership, (CEP) Program in Berlin that he worked at reinforcing European trials for the Toyota Fuel Cell vehicle. He also had the opportunity to develop and expand his expertise in Japan where for two years he worked on the development of Toyota and PSA’s small vehicle. Biebuyck’s term as Executive Director of the FCH JU has been extended for four years until 15 May, 2023.
Also speaking at the May 27 webinar is Jan Hildebrand, the Head of Department Environmental Psychology at IZES GmbH since 2016. Jan will speak on the topic of ‘Enhancing Stakeholder Engagement’. Before his current role Hildebrand had been the team leader of the Environmental Psychology Research Group at the University of Saarland. His research interests include the acceptance of renewable energies and related energy infrastructures, conflicts and stakeholder perspectives in the energy sector as well as public participation processes and their psychological dimensions. He is coordinating the public acceptance of P2X Technologies within the flagship project Kopernikus P2X.
A third speaker at the May 27 webinar is Anne Toner from the Hydrogen Ireland group which was formed in 2019. Toner will speak on the topic of ‘Empowering H2 Integration’.
Toner is an industry professional who has managed, evaluated and coordinated several EU projects across Ireland. She has collaborated with 500+ Companies and public sector bodies, helping transition the Island to adopt a Clean Energy, resource-efficient and circular economy agenda. Over the last 10 years she has worked with many multinationals, identifying technology opportunities, building cohesive partnerships to develop innovative solutions and business models helping reduce carbon emissions and whilst implementing a sustainable fuel source model. Toner has also worked directly with several leading EU Network associations and Energy Island networks.
A prolific networking professional, Toner has been involved in a number of international projects including Biogas solutions, DSU Applications, Energy Storage, WTE Projects at domestic and industrial level and several other projects in the Crypto Currency and Energy Management field. Her role as Project Manager in H2 Ireland will be to help grow the network, identifying synergies between key industry stakeholders (members), build international links and develop a pipeline of large scale demonstrator projects that support the adaption of Hydrogen as a key fuel source on the energy highway to net zero by 2050.
GenComm Program Manager Paul McCormack will introduce the event. McCormack is currently managing several international projects including the GenComm project which seeks to address the barriers preventing the greater integration of renewables into the energy matrix and to navigate a new energy pathway to energy security. GenComm (GENerating energy secure COMMunities); is a Smart Hydrogen (SMARTH2) Integrated renewable energy, generation and storage project designed to develop a new model for exploiting generated electricity from renewable sources to provide energy security for remote communities. The GenComm project will demonstrate how Hydrogen as an energy carrier can be the new energy pathway and overcome the current obstacles blocking greater utilisation of renewable energy in our energy consumption matrix.
McCormack said, “The energy sector is one of the leading sectors that must respond to the global climate challenge. On May 18 the International Energy Agency announced their net zero by 2050 roadmap. This roadmap is a viable pathway to building a global energy sector with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050. However it is a narrow route that needs widened by technology adaption and more importantly it needs populated, stakeholder engagement is the key to the roadmap success, it requires immediate action from stakeholders across all countries to deliver a SMART H2 Highway – a transformation of our energy spectrum where all participate and secure a just transition to net zero.”‘
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