Webinar: Hydrogen: A Game Changer

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Ms. Tracy Fernandes, Manager – Events and Membership, IFCCI opened the Session and welcomed the Speakers and Participants.

Mr. Daniel Maitre, Economic Counsellor, French Embassy in India delivered his welcome address and shared his views on the longstanding Indo-French relationship and on the current scenario of the pandemic while appreciating the commendable projects delivered by the government of India and France.

Shri Dinesh Jagdale, MNRE, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy introduced the topic “Hydrogen – A Game Changer” to set the context for the panel discussion by sharing insights on how India has all the energy compositions to leverage itself into a manufacturing hub for the world. Also mentioned that Hydrogen will play the role of a key enabler in carbon-emission. With the MoU signed with the Govt of France for hydrogen energy projects, the ministry looks forward to closely work with the industry and its experts to enhance this cooperation.

This was followed by a Panel Discussion which was moderated by Mr. Ravin Mirchandani, Chairman and Managing Director, Ador Powertron. The panel included Mr. Glenn Llewellyn, Vice-President, Zero Emission Aircraft, Airbus ; Mr. Sandeep Joshi, Director-Government Affairs, Alstom India ; Mr. Aymar De Liedekerke Beaufort, Chief Executive Officer, BNP Paribas India Branches and Head of CIB India ; Dr. Arun Jaura, Managing Director, Michelin India Technology Centre ; Mr. Jose-Ignacio Sanz Saiz, India Country Chair, Total India

Mr. Glenn Llewellyn discussed about the Hydrogen as a key ingredient in aviation innovations being implemented by Airbus to meet the dynamic needs of the industry.

Mr. Sandep Joshi shared the experience and challenges for Alstom India while setting up the railway and its development and its infrastructure of low cost for passenger trains. Their struggle for emission free mobility, energy saving solution in road transportation.

Mr. Aymar De Liedekerke Beaufort spoke about how BNP Paribas India has been an enabler in finance and banking sector to support the cause. It has implemented the concept of strategy clients and plans for contribution to such projects and is a part of the hydrogen circle.

Dr. Arun Jaura, shared his views on organizational enablers in Michelin India Technology Limited to re-skill the existing workforce for building hydrogen gas stations. Setting up mobility in chemical and industrial process for ease of transportation.

Mr. Jose-Ignacio Sanz Saiz shared his experience of journey inside Total India from hydrogen to green molecules. Its shift to supply more energy and engage in transformation of natural gas to micro gas, renewable gas and hydrogen and low cost-efficient liquid hydrocarbons

Furthermore, 4 companies from the Indo-French business community presented their case studies as follows:

Mr. Adamo Screnci, Vice President - Clean Hydrogen Business Unit, Total stated estimating the carbon footprint of hydrogen production. Hydrogen is multi purpose use: transportation, power generation energy storage and is the best friend of renewable energy.

Ms. Helen Judy, Senior Executive Director, BNP Paribas (Seoul Branch) explained the Hydrogen Paradigm Shift and Green New Deal. She also took us through the hydrogen roadmap and economy through her economy which focused on the clean hydrogen energy and zero emission mission.

Mr. Ravin Mirchandani, Chairman and Managing Director, Ador Powertron firmly believes in the potential of hydrogen as an enable for its qualities of easy mobility, stand-alone power, energy security. Mr. Mirchandani illustrated the same via his presentation and affirms green hydrogen as a renewable energy solution.

Mr. Sandep Joshi, Director-Government Affairs, Alstom India spoke of enabling energy transition and climate change mitigation in transportation. He significantly stated Alstom’s leadership on the hydrogen train market being the first company in 2018 to introduce a new regional train on hydrogen fuel cells and batteries. Mr. Joshi concluded his case study by summarising the importance and use of Hydrogen as a green re-tractioning.

Concluding remarks were shared by Mr. Bruno Bronquard, Regional Director, IFCCI who thanked the event sponsors and partners for their support.