Benelux Energy Innovation Day "Solar"

INTRODUCTION 

The EU aims to be greenhouse gas neutral by 2050. Studies show that the necessary transformation is a huge but achievable challenge. Energy outlooks predict that solar energy will have an important role to play in the European and world-wide energy transition needed. The current geo-political situation forces the EU to speed up the energy transition even more. Action is becoming pressing and concrete measures are being implemented and developed. Against this background he European Commission will shortly present its communication on solar energy. Examining the role of solar energy from the Benelux perspective seems appropriate.

The event will present market trends, innovations and opportunities for solar, and specifically photovoltaics, in the Benelux from the perspective of the energy transition and the economic chances they present. Current and future policy developments will be discussed and possibilities for Benelux cooperation and synergies explored. The event targets experts and policy makers from the Benelux and European authorities, the solar sector, and the research- and energy community.

PROGRAM 

09.00  Welcome and opening

• Jan Molema, director Internal market, Secretariat-general Benelux Union
• Claude Turmes, Luxemburg minister for energy, 2022 Presidency of the Benelux (TBC)
• Tinne van der Straeten, Belgian federal minister for energy
• Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO Solarpower Europe

09.45  Benelux markets and policy - trends, chances and challenges

• Dirk van Evercooren, general director ODE – Flanders
• Fawaz Al Bitar, general director EDORA – Wallonia and Brussels
• Robin Quax, manager renewable energy, Top Sector Energy/TKI Urban Energy – The Netherlands
• Anouk Hilger, head of renewables, Encevos – Luxembourg 

10.45  Coffee break 

11.00  Benelux solar innovation

• Arthur Weeber, TNO – Introduction: Technological innovation and its application

Electricity production

• Tom Baur, EUScores Oostend – Ocean floating PV
• Gerard de Leede, Solarge - Solar panel production

Mobility

• Tom Cobbenhagen, Lightyear / ASOM – Solar electric vehicles
•  Airport Groningen Eelde – Aviation and PV (TBC)

Integrative applications

• Guust Verpaalen, Kameleon Solar - Building/infrastructure integrated PV

Research

• Jef Poortmans, Solliance/Imec-Energyville – Application-oriented research 
• Moderation: Cedric Brüll, CEO Cluster Tweed Wallonia

12.15  Panel: Facilitating Benelux solar – policy, priorities and cooperation

• Robin Quax, Topsector Energy, TKI Urban Energy, Program manager renewable energy
• Gaëtan Masson, Representative SPW Energie, DG Territoire Logement Patrimoine Énergie
• Georges Reding, Min. de l'Énergie & l'Aménagement du Territoire, Dir. Énergies renouvelable 
• Jacek Truszczynski, Eur. Commission DG Grow, Dept. Head of Unit “Green & Circular Economy”
• Frederik Loeckx, CEO Flux50                                                                    
• Moderation: Gerrit Jan Schaeffer, CEO Energyville 

13.00  Conclusions

• Frans Weekers, Deputy Secretary-general Benelux Union 

13.15 Lunch 

Event contact

Wim Martens

[email protected]