The upcoming launch of a pilot biorefinery for hydrogen and renewable fuel research by the Canary Islands Institute of Technology will be the focal point of a meeting that will bring together prominent energy sector experts in Gran Canaria on October 18 and 19 to share the latest advancements in future fuels

The experimental project Biogreenfinery, funded with nearly 6 million euros from the REACT-EU Fund, is part of the strategy of the Ministry of Universities, Science, and Innovation of the Government of the Canary Islands, led by Migdalia Machín, to strengthen scientific and technological infrastructures in the Archipelago

On October 18 and 19, the Canary Islands will host a gathering of global renewable energy experts for the ‘International Conference on Green Hydrogen and Synthetic Fuels,’ organized by the Canary Islands Institute of Technology (ITC) as part of the Biogreenfinery project funded by the Government of the Canary Islands. The expert forum will take place at the public R&D center’s facilities in Pozo Izquierdo, Gran Canaria, and will be available to follow via live streaming upon prior registration.

The event, which will bring together key stakeholders from the energy industry, will address the latest developments in the production of synthetic fuels from green hydrogen generated from 100% renewable energy sources and the opportunities for decarbonizing the public transport sector. It is crucial to advance towards the adoption of new sustainable mobility models, especially in Spain, where transportation is the sector with the highest volume of GHG emissions.

The first day of the conference will feature the main national and European institutional actors in renewable hydrogen and new fuels, such as the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the European Commission’s ‘Clean Hydrogen Europe’ fuel cell and hydrogen industry community. Representatives from member organizations of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Hydrogen Unit, including experts from the United States, Japan, Australia, France, Italy, and Germany, will also be present.

Biogreenfinery, a pioneering project in Spain and a benchmark in Europe

The Biogreenfinery experimental platform, the first 100% renewable biorefinery in the Canary Islands, is a project promoted by the Canary Islands Institute of Technology (ITC) and housed in its facilities in Pozo Izquierdo, Gran Canaria, aimed at driving the islands towards ecological transition in the mobility sector.

Funded by the REACT-EU Fund under the European Next Generation EU instrument, this project places the Canary Islands at the forefront of progress towards the decarbonization of the economy and the production of hydrogen from renewable energy, for its subsequent use in synthetic fuels for transportation or stationary applications.

This is a unique project in Spain and a benchmark at the European level, representing a significant leap forward towards the decarbonization of the transportation sector.

Progress towards the zero-emission target in transportation

Decarbonizing the planet is one of the goals that countries worldwide have set for 2050, and according to the Climate Emergency Declaration (DEC), the Canary Islands must achieve total decarbonization of the economy by 2040. A challenge that must begin with a shift towards sustainable mobility, which will be the focus of all interventions.

The inaugural session of the event, which will address the planning, regulation, and financing of renewable fuels, will feature the participation of Pedro Mendes, Head of Renewable Hydrogen Policy at the European Commission, and Santiago González Herraiz, Head of the Renewable Hydrogen Department at the Institute for the Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDAE). The technical sessions will include representatives from IEA Hydrogen TCP member organizations such as the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) of Spain, the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) of Japan, and Dataspace Insight Pty Ltd of Australia.

The second day will feature various technical sessions and the participation of experts involved in the BIOGREENFINERY project and leading companies in the sector. Among other topics, discussions will cover the opportunities offered by green hydrogen for interurban public road transport in the islands and the importance of new biofuels.

This will be the largest green hydrogen event in Spain focused on transportation, and its conferences will be available to follow via live streaming with prior registration.

Programme: https://conference.biogreenfinery.com/epages/agenda