What are industry priorities, needs and potential contributions to the value chains of solar fuels and chemicals in Europe? How can solar fuels and chemicals contribute to industry decarbonization and EU competitiveness vis-à-vis global competition? What are possible viable business models and the measures needed to support de-risking and investments in this field?
These topics will be at the core of SUNER-C (Horizon Europe CSA project) workshop ‘Towards an Innovation Ecosystem for Solar Fuels and Chemicals in Europe’, on 2-3 July 2024 in Ghent, Belgium. The workshop (lunch-to-lunch) will be followed by a site visit to the ArcelorMittal Steelanol plant on July 3rd afternoon.
Objectives of our workshop:
- Identify & discuss industry priorities, needs & potential contributions to value chains of solar fuels and chemicals in Europe;
- Key desired outcome: propose business models for the SUNER-C target area of solar fuels and chemicals, stemming from techno-economic considerations;
- Develop/consolidate the community and innovation ecosystem & pave the way to the next stages beyond the SUNER‑C CSA; and
- Raise awareness, discuss needs and priorities & exchange views with EU policymakers.
⭐ Highlights of the event:
- 15 stakeholder pitches
| Hannah Johnson | Toyota Motor Europe – Senior Engineer (Sun-To-X Project coordinator) |
| Babette Pettersen | LanzaTech – VP Europe (Steelanol Project) |
| Ivan Souček | Association of Chemical Industry of the Czech Republic – Director |
| Joost Smits | Shell – Principal Science Expert |
| Esther Santos | Apria Systems – R&D Project Manager (REFINE Project) |
| Marc Borghans | ING – Director Sustainable Structured Finance |
| Ludo Diels | VITO – Senior Advisor (Processes4Planet Partnership) |
| Oskar Meijerink | SkyNRG – Head of Future Fuels – SAF |
| Sophie Loots | ZuidtrAnt Energy Cooperative – Founder and Project Coordinator – ‘Heat & Sun’ |
| Pau Farras | University of Galway – Associate Professor (FlowPhotoChem Project) |
| Janne Wallenius | Solar Foods – Data Specialist |
| Christoph Falter | Synhelion – Head Strategy |
| Vincent Artero | CEA – Research Director |
| Max Fleischer | Siemens Energy – Chief Key Expert |
| Han Huynh | ENGIE – CCUS Domain Manager |
| Laurent Baraton | ENGIE – Head of the Research Program |
|
Fredericq Peigneux |
Heidelberg Materials – Head of Public Affairs |
- Interview with Energy Cooperatives
- Policy session
- 3 parallel breakout sessions:
- Financial de-risking
- Development of genuine business models
- Centralized vs decentralized applications
Here, you can find all the practicalities on how to get there and some hotel suggestions nearby. You can book your accommodation at the earliest possible convenience.
Please also note some interesting points for the event, below:
📍 Venue:
The venue of the workshop and visit will be:
- July 2-3: Workshop at iGent (Building 126) Science Park of Ghent University (Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 126, 9052 Ghent, Belgium)
- July 2nd evening: Drinks and dinner at iGent (Building 126) Science Park of Ghent University
- July 3rd afternoon, Visit at ArcelorMittal Steelanol Plant (John Kennedylaan 51 – 9042 Ghent, Belgium)
ArcelorMittal Visit:
- DAY 2: On the second day, the 3rd of July from 13:50-18:10, our project partner, ArcelorMittal Belgium, will provide us with a site visit of the ArcelorMittal Steelanol plant (limited number of participants). Please note that a bus transfer to the plant will be provided by the organisers, and the drop-off destination of the bus after the visit will be Gent-Sint-Pieters train station. More details are on the attached draft agenda.
We look forward to seeing you in Ghent.
On behalf of the organization committee of the Workshop and of SUNER-C consortium
Prof. Bert Weckhuysen (Utrecht University), SUNER-C project coordinator
Dr. Frédéric Chandezon (CEA), SUNER-C project co-coordinator