European Backbone Talk: Why regions matter

09.00 a.m.
Admission and coffee 

09.30 a.m.
Welcome
Dr. Mark Speich, State Secretary for Federal and European Affairs, International Affairs and Media of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

09.35 a.m.
Opening remarks
Jörg Kemna, CEO, Business Metropole Ruhr

09.40 a.m.
Keynote address
Stefanie Hiesinger,Head, Unit for Low Carbon Solutions, Directorate-General for Climate Action, European Commission 

10.00 a.m.
Introduction: The role of regions in implementing the European Hydrogen Backbone
Erik Kolstø, Head of BD Hydrogen and CO2, OGE GmbH

10.15 a.m.
Panel discussion I:  Different European regions, one challenge: Regional approaches to developing a hydrogen-based economy
- Joan Borràs, Director of Port Planning, Port of Tarragona
- Lieuwe Brouwer, Senior adviseur energietransitie haven, City of Rotterdam
- Isabel François, Head of Belgian Hydrogen Council program, WaterstofNet
- Dirk Franke, Director Strategic Projects, Architectural Glass, Pilkington Holding GmbH
- Jean Gravellier, Directeur général chez POLENERGIE, délégué régional HDF de France-Hydrogène
 

10.55 a.m.
Coffee break

11.10 a.m.
The view from Brussels: developing European H2 infrastructure
- Mirela Atanasiu, Executive Director a.i. (and) Head of Unit Operations and Communication, Clean Hydrogen Partnership
- Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe
- Jens Geier, MEP, Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) & Rapporteur of the H2 Strategy

11.50 a.m.
Lunch break

12.30 p.m.
Workshop Block 1
1. Financial conditions: What is needed to take investment desicions for infrastructure?
Moderation: Nicolai Raß, OGE GmbH
2. Framework conditions
Moderation: Tessa Rodewaldt and Matthias Spangenberg, von Beust & Coll

Workshop Block 2
1. Key-factors for market ramp-up: colours, derivatives, imports
Moderation: Wouter Demenint, Port of Rotterdam and Johannes Eng, Duisport
2. The role of the regions in decarbonizing Europe
Moderation: Albert Ballbé, Strategic Projects, Government of Catalonia

02.00 p.m.
Coffee break

02.15 p.m.
Panel discussion II: Implementing the European H2 backbone: Regional approaches to grid development
- Janneke Andringa, Manager Business Development Hydrogen Transport NL, Gasunie
- Jean-Marc Brimont, Head of EU Office, GRT GAZ
- Dr. Arne Dammer, Head of Strategy and Innovation, Thyssengas GmbH
- Luis Ignacio Parada, Director EU Energy Policy & Regulation Enagás
- Nicolai Raß, Head of BD Hydrogen International, OGE GmbH
- Gilles Suply, Public Affairs, Fluxys SA

03.00 p.m.
Conclusion
Jörg Kemna, CEO, Business Metropole Ruhr

03.30 p.m.
Get together

Moderation: Karsten Wiedemann, Member of the editorial board, energate messenger