Our International Conference Receives Global Attention
This year’s digital International Conference on Maritime Hydrogen and Marine Energy gathered over 260 engaging participants and delegates from over 20 nations, which surely can be called a real success.
Over two days 40 speakers presented different topics based on this year’s four themes: Global Energy Situation, Hydrogen Vessel Projects, Island Off Grid Systems and Stepping Forward.
Trond Strømgren from GCE Ocean Technology was in charge of this year’s program.
In addition to brilliant speakers, a panel discussed each presentation and answered questions from the audience. 14 different workshops gave the participants the possibility to discuss around different topics and challenges, which enabled to find action points to be followed up on and connect with fellow participants and speakers.
- This year the conference was digital which made it easy for leading experts from all over the world to contribute as speakers, and also increase the number of participants. The result was the best program ever, so thanks to all great contributors, says Ocean Technology Innovator at GCE Ocean Technology, Trond Strømgren.
All gold ticket holders get access to recording of the whole conference and presentations in PDF. If you did not have the chance to participate, there is still a chance to buy a ticket until 30. October 2020.
Day two – Island Off Grid Systems and Stepping Forward
The global transition towards a zero emission future needs every form of clean energy solutions, and the first theme of day two showed that tidal energy has a clear position to play.
Oliver Wragg from Orbital Marine Power presented their tidal turbine “Orbital O2”.
Business Development Engineer, Marlène Moutel from SABELLA, presented their D10-1000 tidal stream turbine of 1 MW which has already been operating in the Fromveur passage and grid-connected to the 900 inhabitants Ushant Island off grid network.
- The island has a strong current and high tidal resource and the island is in need of cleaner energy production. The goal of this project is to decrease the consumption of diesel.
Oliver Wragg from Orbital Marine Power explained how they are working on harvesting the tide by developing a low carbon energy system, the Orbital O2. The most advanced tidal turbine in the world. It is generating 2MW and is based on 17 years of research. “We are going into the future with this machine” Wragg stated.
The last theme for this year’s conference was Stepping Forward. The idea for this theme is to bring all alternatives to the stage and give ongoing projects the possibility to speak about their progress.
Holger Büch from Hydrogenious talked about how Hydrogenious’ LOHC technology is expected to become the backbone of global hydrogen economy. Their vision is a global hydrogen fueled society that is truly sustainable and emission free.
- Hydrogenious LOHC and its partners are fully committed to establish the hydrogen based energy world of tomorrow, Büch explained.
Dr. Holger Büch from Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies, talked about Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier.
Osamu Ikeda from Chiyoda presented their work of shipping hydrogen from Brunei to Japan. With the success of the demo project they are now looking for business opportunities to use the technology to deliver hydrogen around the world.
Who knows what will happen and change going forward? Hopefully until we meet again next year a lot has happened and meanwhile, we look forward to following the process of ongoing projects.
A challenging and exciting task
CEO of Ocean Hyway Cluster, Stein Kvalsund, is happy with how everything turned out and is impressed by the work that has been put down for this year’s conference.
- Together with collaborating partner GCE Ocean Technology we are very satisfied with the conference and participation. Thank you to all contributors and participants, and a big thank to Siri Odijk Solbakken in Hub for Ocean/Ocean Hyway Cluster and Trond Strømgren who have brought this year’s conference safely to port, Kvalsund said.
Kvalsund continues explaining that gathering over 250 players from around the world on a digital platform is challenging and exciting.
- We have proven that we can also handle such a challenge in collaboration with a fantastic team at APRIIL who was the supplier of the conference platform. The date for next year’s conference is already set and our great hope is that we once again can meet physically to exchange new opportunities and find out how we can jointly contribute to reducing climate emissions and developing a sustainable industry. I hope to see and meet this year’s participants in Florø next year, Kvalsund concludes.
Some of the feedback after the conference:
Next year’s conference will take place 19-20 October 2021.
We hope to see you there!
The Ocean Hyway Cluster Team: Steinar Kostøl, Stein Kvalsund, Trond Strømgren, Siri Odijk Solbakken, Kristin Svardal and Miriam Edler