Dr James Carton is an Assistant Professor in Energy Sustainability and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Development at Dublin City University (DCU). He presented at ‘World Energy Week’ in Milan in October, as part of the ‘Hydrogen Taskforce’ and as one of the ‘Future Energy Leaders’ (FEL). James gives his take on the week’s sessions and discussions.
This year the World Energy Week was in Milan, a week where energy experts, Ministers and CEOs of OEMS (Original Equipment Manufacturers) led key sessions on resilience, green finance, e-mobility, digitalisation and market design, as well as on marco-regional and international energy issues.
Renewables are the talk of every conversation; we are putting 500MW of wind here, wait someone else is installing 500MW of solar there. Renewables are booming and the old grey-haired men that once invested in coal are now beginning to divest. The title of every talk is “The energy Transition” (a transition to zero carbon and zero emissions).
Energy is prime in the minds of the CEOs and government Ministers across the world, and the Paris Agreement requirements are difficult if they are to be implemented.
Hydrogen is still that thing everyone knows about, but some think it as a future solution. Professionals working in the energy industry still come up to me and ask, is hydrogen safe? To which my reply is: it is safer than petrol, and you let your kid pour that into your car! But the Hindenburg, was that not hydrogen? My reply: Yes, it was but standards and safety have moved on since 1937!
My team presented “Hydrogen enabling the energy transition”, and generated great interest. This was our motivation to attend World Energy Week – to educate the
energy experts, the energy CEOs, and the energy Ministers
of the world. Hydrogen can add value to renewables. It can store renewable energy and convert this clean energy into fue l for your cars; chemicals for your industry, and gas for your grid! Connecting all society to a clean, zero carbon, emission-free opportunity. The Future Energy Leaders that presented in Milan, as part of the ‘Hydrogen Taskforce’ included Alena Fargere, James Carton, Bart Kolodziejczyk, Andres Picatellez, Cansu Karaca, Laura Martintez, and Yena Chae.
Next year it is the World Energy Congress, and it will be held in Abu Dhabi; where we will have more results, more projects to discuss, and either by twitter or by osmosis, we will get the message across that Hydrogen has an important role to play in our fight against Climate Change.
Dr James Carton,
Dublin City University
