The Future of the European Hydrogen Economy
This seminar explores the potential of the European hydrogen economy. Hydrogen is expected to play an important role in achieving a carbon-neutral economy in Europe by 2050. Green hydrogen also has many possible applications in the Irish context, and while currently representing a modest fraction of the global energy mix, projections indicate that clean hydrogen could meet approximately 25% of the world’s energy demand by mid-century.
In recent years, several European countries, including Portugal and Germany, have issued comprehensive national hydrogen strategies. These frameworks provide critical insights for Ireland as policymakers consider the role for green hydrogen in meeting the state’s climate and energy targets. In this session, three international experts explore the potential role of green hydrogen as the EU transitions to a carbon-neutral future.
About the Speakers:
Dr Isabel Cabrita is Professor of Energy Solutions at the Institute of Education and Sciences, Lisbon. She also serves as a Researcher at CERENA, a Portuguese research and technological development institute which specialises in innovative and sustainable energy solutions. From 2015-2021, she was Head of Research Directorate-General of Energy and Geology, Portugal. In this role, Dr Cabrita oversaw the implementation of the Portuguese Energy and Climate Plan, and Portugal’s National Hydrogen Strategy. Dr Cabrita has produced more than 300 publications and served as guest editor of an edition of Energies in 2021.
Franz Lehner is Head of International Cooperation at NOW GmbH, the German Organisation for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology. NOW GmbH is responsible for the coordination and management of the German Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology and the Electromobility Model Regions programme of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure of Germany. An engineer by training, Mr Lehner has more than 10 years of professional experience focusing on hydrogen, fuel cells, renewable fuels and electric mobility. Before joining NOW in early 2021, Mr Lehner was Managing Consultant at the international energy transition consulting firm E4tech in Lausanne, Switzerland. From 2014-2019, he co-authored the annual Fuel Cell Industry Review published by E4Tech, the global benchmark report in this sector.
Shiva Dustdar is Head of Innovation Finance Advisory at the European Investment Bank. A leading innovation finance expert with over 25 years of experience at J.P. Morgan, Fitch Ratings and now at EIB, she specialises in identifying future investment opportunities and developing new business and market opportunities to finance the transition to a green and digital economy. Ms Dustdar co-founded the European High Yield Association (EHYA), which is now part of the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME). In 2006, she was listed in the ‘Top 50 Women in Credit’ by Credit Magazine. Ms Dustdar Shiva holds a BA in Economics from Columbia University and an Executive MBA from London Business School.
