The online conference "Synthetic Fuels: The Next Breakthrough in Clean Energy" was organized by Sowa Solutions 

on 30th May at 10am EST / 16h CET.  

  The conference showed most recent market trends and projects regarding synthetic fuels. Attendees gaine insights on the latest advancements in production of hydrogen, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and the production of synthetic fuels. The purpose of this event was to provide a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of synthetic fuels, including the latest technological breakthroughs, market dynamics, and regulatory developments.

Throughout the conference, industry experts and thought leaders have shared their knowledge and expertise on topics such as the commercialization of synthetic fuels, the scalability of production processes, and the role of synthetic fuels in achieving global carbon reduction targets. Attendees have gained valuable insights into the potential applications of synthetic fuels in various sectors, including transportation, energy, and industrial processes.

The event also explored the business opportunities and investment prospects in the synthetic fuels market, offering attendees the chance to network with key stakeholders, industry professionals, and potential partners. Furthermore, the conference provided a platform for discussions on the challenges and opportunities facing the synthetic fuels industry, as well as the drivers and barriers to widespread adoption and commercialization.

Overall, the conference armed attendees with the knowledge and connections necessary to navigate the evolving landscape of synthetic fuels, equipping them with the insights and strategies needed to capitalize on the emerging opportunities in this dynamic sector. At the end participants gained from the event a deeper understanding of the market, a network of valuable contacts, and a clear vision of the path forward in the synthetic fuels industry.

SPEAKERS PROFILE

Dr. Garcia Navarro, J.C. (Julio), Program Manager Offshore Hydrogen at TNO 

 Currently in Hydrogen Systems Integration at TNO. Leads projects as well as providing insightful knowledge for the development and deployment of hydrogen technologies. Examples of projects include technology de-risking, offshore hydrogen production, next-generation electrolysis, etc.  

Beth Hebditch, Policy Manager at Carbon Capture and Storage Association

  Beth Hebditch is a Policy Manager at the Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CSSA) London office, where she focuses on the development of CCUS policy and is responsible for the co-ordination of the CCSA’s Technical Working Group.

Beth joined the CCSA after 4 years in energy consultancy, where she covered UK and European power, gas, LNG, carbon and oil markets and worked with clients to navigate market volatility and regulatory changes in the evolving energy landscape. Beth holds an MSci Geology degree from the Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London.

Stephen Voller, CEO Hydrogen Refinery

 Stephen Voller is the founder and CEO of Hydrogen Refinery. He is a Chartered Engineer with a track record of taking technology from concept to market. He is a recognised authority on green hydrogen, ammonia, fuel cells, renewable energy systems, energy storage technologies, batteries, and supercapacitors. He is the author of 100+ patents and inventor of Carbon-Ion that uses nanomaterials such as graphene with ionic electrolytes to improve the performance of supercapacitors.

Gabriel Padín González, Renewable hydrogen and e-fuels project development engineer at atlantHy

  Chemical engineer with a master's degree in chemical engineering and bioprocesses from the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain), focused on the development of renewable energy systems to achieve the decarbonization objectives set. Currently working as a renewable hydrogen and synthetic fuels project development engineer at AtlantHy, developing hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and SAF projects, and member of the Hydrogen Board of the International Society of Automation – Spanish Section. 

Mustansir Kachwala, Business Development Manager at GIDARA Energy

 Mustansir Kachwala has finnished Bachelors in chemical engineering at Mumbai University and Masters in Process System Engineering at TU-Dortmund Germany.

He is currently the Business Development Manager at Gidara Energy, where he focuses on expanding the company's market presence. His responsibilities include securing new licensing deals, managing customer relationships, and identifying strategic partnership opportunities.

With over twelve years of experience, Mustansir has worked extensively in both onshore and offshore capacities. This includes involvement in the Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) for major projects across Europe, Oman, Kuwait, and during the EPC phase of the world's largest spar project for Statoil in Norway. He also has about two years of experience in the shipbuilding industry, specializing in LNG fuel systems. During this time, he successfully completed one of the first gas-only LNG inland vessels, the "Ecoliner," for Damen Shipyards Gorinchem.”

Srđan Sokolović, MBA, PhD, Owner of Sowa Solutions

 An expert with more than twelve years of work experience in a corporate energy company. Persistent in defining short-term and long-term strategies, business development and improving business efficiency in order to increase clients' profits. He is also an expert in the analysis of market segmentation, competition, prices and similar analyzes for the needs of market research and new product development. In addition to this, he also has extensive experience in developing new products by optimizing operational expenses and improving quality/price ratio. He has also expertise in creating PowerPoint presentations, instructions, various graphic displays and other technical documentation.

Expertise in organizing conferences and creating engaging and informative content. An experienced speaker with experience in speaking in international conferences on topics regarding sustainable development. Established writer with articles published in Times of Malta, Lubes Magazine, and Bulletin of Oil Nationally Committee of Serbia. 

 AGENDA

10am EST / 16h CET
Opening of Conference (5 min)
Speaker: Srđan Sokolović, Owner of Sowa Solutions

10:05h EST / 16:05h CET
Presentation 01 "Offshore Hydrogen: A Game-Changer for Renewable Energy?"(20 min)

• Why offshore hydrogen?
• Challenges around offshore hydrogen
• Highlights of current research at TNO regarding offshore hydrogen
• Next steps and further research

Speaker: Dr. Garcia Navarro, J.C. (Julio), Program Manager Offshore Hydrogen at TNO 
 Q&A (10min) 

10:35h EST / 16:35h CET
Presentation 02 " Carbon Capture Storage and Utilization Technologies and Projects" (20 min)

•  Introduction to the CCSA
• The CCUS Value Chain – exploring the different applications of CCUS from capture, transport, storage and utilisation
• Overview of Developments: UK
• Overview of Developments: EU

Speaker: Beth Hebditch, Policy Manager at Carbon Capture and Storage Association 
Q&A (10min) 

11:05h EST / 17:05h CET
Presentation 03 " Overview of different type of production of Synthetic Fuels which could lower CO2 emission" (20 min)

• The historic agreement at COP28 to transition away from fossil fuels
• Transition of 1 billion road vehicles, 50,000 merchant ships and 25,000 active airliners away from fossil fuels
• How to get to synthetic fuels and than to hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives.

Speaker:  Stephen Voller, CEO at Hydrogen Refinery Ltd 
Q&A (10min) 

11:35h EST / 17:35h CET
Presentation 04 " Unveiling the Potential: Exploring the Synthetic Fuels Market" (20 min)  

• Exploring the Reasons Behind These Projects
• Project references (Flagship one, Arcadia E-fuels, and similar projects).
• Implications and barriers in the development of synthetic fuel projects.
• Conclusions (improvements to be made to achieve competitiveness).

Speaker: Gabriel Padín González, Renewable hydrogen and e-fuels project development engineer at atlantHy
Q&A (10min) 

12:05h EST / 18:05h CET
Presentation 05 " Demystifying the Advanced Methanol Market" (20 min)

Speaker: Mustansir Kachwala, Business Development Manager at  GIDARA Energy
Q&A (10min) 

12:35h EST / 18:35h CET
Closing Remarks (5 min)

12:40h EST / 18:40h CET
End of Conference