Programme

09:00 - 17:30

Biogases Masterclass – Derisking a biogas plant

The Biogases Masterclass will launch the activities of the European Renewable Gas Training Centre, ERGTC, initiated by EBA.

This 1-day course will provide a comprehensive overview on how to de-risk a biogas plant. The course focusses on 4 main areas:
• Financing
• Technology
• Operations
• Health & Safety

Content
This course will focus on
– Financial drivers, needs for security and related financing structures.
– How Technology can secure operational performance.
– Operational do’s and don’ts in running a plant effective and how to avoid pitfall.
– Best practises concerning Health & Safety both on technology level and personal safety precautions, to ensure trustworthy and safe operations.

What are the advantages?
Comprehensive overview in one day on the most influencing areas and aspects of de-risking a biogas plant. Those areas have a direct impact on project development and operational excellence of the plant and when executed well, will ensure proper control and effectiveness.
The course gives you besides financial insight an overview of state of the art technologies which can make your plant more reliable, safe and profitable.

Who should attend?
This 1-day course is particularly suited for project developers, operational managers and financers. It offers both people new to the sector as well as those who are already involved for several years comprehensive insights in de-risking a biogas plant.

Programme
The masterclass on de-risking a biogas plant will be split up in 4 topics 1) Financing 2) Operations 3)Technology and 4) Health and Safety
Each topic will be introduced by experts who have an extensive experience in their field. During the morning Financing and Operations will be covered and during the afternoon the experts focus on Technology and Health and Safety. The course will allow time for interaction.

Certificate
Participants will receive a certificate of participation of the Training Centre.

Practical Information
Date: 22nd of October 2024, full day
Time: 9:00-17:30 followed by a networking cocktail until 19:00
Space: Limited availability
Location: Comet Louise – place Stéphanie 20, 1050 Brussels
Lunch and cocktail included
This Masterclass will be followed by a series of 4 deep-dive courses on each topic in 2025

Registration and fees
Non-Members: €845
Members: €425
By registering to the Masterclass, you will receive a rebate voucher of 10%, which will be applicable to each of the deep dive courses.

Register here

08:30 - 09:50

Registrations. Welcome coffee and opening exhibition

Rooms: Hall (Registrations) and Exhibition area (Welcome coffee and exhibition)

10:00 - 10:20

Opening conference and keynote speech

Room: Auditorium. Moderator: Sasha Twining

Speakers

Anders Mathiasson

Anders Mathiasson

President, European Biogas Association (EBA)
François Gemenne

François Gemenne

Researcher, University of Liège
Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Television and radio presenter
10:20 - 10:30

Spotlight speech

Room: Auditorium

Speakers

Xavier Passemard

Xavier Passemard

Director of biomethane, Gaz Réseau Distribution France (GRDF)
10:30 - 12:00

Morning plenary – The future of agriculture, today. Resilience, Sustainability and Food Security

Room: Auditorium. Moderator: Sasha Twining

Farmers are pioneering the 4th agricultural revolution based on state-of-the-art clean tech and resource efficiency. This session will tackle the importance of leveraging biogas to mitigate farming emissions and use of advance agronomic techniques to ensure food security and soil health. The session will also explore challenges of European farmers in their transition towards a sustainable agriculture.

Speakers

Connie Miller

Connie Miller

Deputy Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Global Bioenergy Partnership, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Gaëlle Marion

Gaëlle Marion

Head of Unit for Environmental Sustainability, DG AGRI, European Commission
Diana Lenzi

Diana Lenzi

President, Farming for Future Foundation
Francesca Magnolo

Francesca Magnolo

Researcher, Feedback EU
Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Television and radio presenter
12:00 - 12:20

EBA Awards: Finalists announcement

Room: Auditorium. Moderator: Sasha Twining

The finalists will be presented by the Awards jury representatives. Following the presentation, live voting will open to the audience throughout the entire first day of the conference. Voting will close at 11:59 pm, and the results will be revealed on the second day of the conference, where the winners in each category will be awarded.

12:20 - 13:45

Networking lunch and exhibition

Room: Exhibition area

13:45 - 15:00

Parallel breakouts// Session 1 – Inclusive biogas: with the communities for the communities

Room: Auditorium. Moderator: Sasha Twinning

The positive socio-economic and environmental externalities of biogases are still largely unknown by policymakers, civil society organisations and society at large. Biogases source local waste to turn it into renewable energy and valorise other by-products, which improve the circularity of industries and farms. This session will dive into the myths and facts surrounding the impact of biogas plants in their closest environment.

Speakers

Frank Siebern-Thomas

Frank Siebern-Thomas

Head of Unit of Fair, Green, and Digital Transitions, Research Unit, DG EMPL, European Commission
Jeroen Callewaert

Jeroen Callewaert

Chief Commercial Officer, DESOTEC
Roozbeh Feiz

Roozbeh Feiz

Associate professor, Biogas Research Centre, University of Linköping, Sweden
Sabine Täuber

Sabine Täuber

Project Leader, European Federation of Agencies and Regions for Energy and Environment (FEDARENE)
Serena Vanzetti

Serena Vanzetti

Agricultural entrepreneur, Cooperativa Agricola Speranza
Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Television and radio presenter
13:45 - 15:00

Parallel breakouts// Session 2 – Biogas 4.0: boosting efficiency with tech wizardry

Room: Studio. Moderator: Dirk Bonse, Head of Department Renewable Gases, German Biogas Association

AI-based applications are drivers of sustainability in the biogas sector by enhancing efficiency and mitigating GHG emissions. AI and advanced software can upgrade different aspects of the biogas production process, enabling optimised feedstock composition or improved plant performance. This session will explore the latest AI trends in the sector and their contribution to biogas sustainability.

Speakers

Maja Rosiak

Maja Rosiak

Lead Biogas Center of Excellence, Xylem
Philippe Breuils

Philippe Breuils

Founding Partner, Green Data Science
Jhuma Sadhukhan

Jhuma Sadhukhan

Director of Research & Innovation, University of Surrey, UK
Anna Schnürer

Anna Schnürer

Professor, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Peter Schley

Peter Schley

Managing Director, SmartSim GmbH
Dirk Bonse (moderator breakout session 2)

Dirk Bonse (moderator breakout session 2)

Head of Department Renewable Gases, German Biogas Association
15:00 - 15:30

Coffee break and exhibition

Room: Exhibition area

15:30 - 16:00

Harmen’s Biogas Building Challenge

Biogas: can a vision be pragmatic? Live double interview
Room: Auditorium. Moderator: Sasha Twining

Speakers

Tatiana Marquez Uriarte

Tatiana Marquez Uriarte

Member of the Cabinet of the EU Commissioner for Energy, European Commission
Harmen Dekker

Harmen Dekker

CEO, European Biogas Association (EBA)
Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Television and radio presenter
16:00 - 17:40

Afternoon plenary – On target towards 2040 by resilience and pragmatism

Room: Auditorium. Moderator: Sasha Twining

As the EU looks towards the 2040 interim target to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, the biogas and biomethane sectors offer a sustainable, ready-to-use and pragmatic solution to defossilise the EU economy while contributing to the EU’s energy flexibility and resilience. This session will explore the road ahead to 2040, and the potential of biomethane and biogas to get us there.

Speakers

Alexandre Paquot

Alexandre Paquot

Director of Innovation for Low Carbon, Resilient Economy, DG CLIMA, European Commission
Giulia Laura Cancian

Giulia Laura Cancian

Secretary General, European Biogas Association (EBA)
Mathieu De Carvalho

Mathieu De Carvalho

Regulation & Public Affairs Sr Manager, TotalEnergies
Andreas Graf

Andreas Graf

Programme Lead EU Climate & Energy Policy, Agora Energiewende
Goetz Baumgarten

Goetz Baumgarten

Vice President Membranes at Evonik Operations GmbH, Marl Germany, Evonik
Andreas Guth

Andreas Guth

Secretary General, Eurogas
Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Television and radio presenter
17:40 - 17:50

Wrap-up Day 1

Room: Auditorium.

17:50 - 19:00

Networking Cocktail and exhibition

Room: Exhibition area

19:00 - 22:00

Networking Dinner

Room: Riverside

08:45 - 09:50

Registrations. Welcome coffee and opening exhibition

Rooms: Hall (Registrations) and Exhibition area (Welcome coffee and exhibition)

10:00 - 10:20

Welcome and Keynote speeches

Room: Auditorium. Moderator: Sasha Twining

Speakers

Paolo Frankl

Paolo Frankl

Head, Renewable Energy Division, International Energy Agency (IEA)
Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Television and radio presenter
10:20 - 11:40

Morning plenary – Biomethane frontrunners

Room: Auditorium. Moderator: Sasha Twining

Following the update of National Energy and Climate Plans and the proposal of a 2040 climate target to provide a mid-term vision towards climate-neutrality, this session will interrogate national representatives from multiple EU Member States on the state of play of biomethane scale-up at national level and their contribution to the EU’s climate and energy strategy.

Speakers

Lukasz Kolinski

Lukasz Kolinski

Acting Director for Green Energy Transition and Energy System Integration, DG ENER, European Commission
Niamh Hamill

Niamh Hamill

Assistant Principal Officer, Renewable Heat Division, Ministry for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Ireland
Michał Łęski

Michał Łęski

Director, Department of Renewable Energy Sources - Ministry of Climate and Environment, Poland
Giovanni Perrella

Giovanni Perrella

President of the National Committee for Biofuels, Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, Italy
Aymeric de Loubens

Aymeric de Loubens

Deputy Head of Renewable and Low-Carbon Gas Office, Ministry in Charge of Energy, France
Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Television and radio presenter
11:40 - 12:00

EBA Awards: Winners announcement

Room: Auditorium. Moderator: Sasha Twining

Speakers

Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Television and radio presenter
12:00 - 13:20

Networking lunch and exhibition

Room: Exhibition area

13:20 - 13:30

Spotlight speech

Room: Auditorium

Speakers

Charles-Henri des Villettes

Charles-Henri des Villettes

Vice-President, Air Liquide Biogas Solutions
13:30 - 14:20

Inspiration Challenge

Room: Auditorium. Moderator: Sasha Twining

The Inspiration Challenge is aimed at promoting innovation and solutions that can change the biogases industry. The session will include inspirational ideas on sustainability, development of biogas plants and/or examples of companies speeding up the delivery of their biogas project. More information about the EBA Inspiration Challenge here

14:20 - 15:30

Parallel breakouts// Session 3 – Biomethane across borders: trading and procurement explained

Room: Auditorium. Moderator: Tim Hamers, Secretary General, ERGaR

Biomethane is increasingly part of corporate decarbonisation strategies and quota obligations. Energy suppliers, traders, brokers and corporate users mobilise plans and strategies to procure biomethane and get biomethane moving from one EU country to another. This joint session organised in collaboration with Ergar will discuss the most pressing issues on cross-border transfers, end-user strategies, short-term expectations and future steps towards the implementation of a single EU biomethane market.

Speakers

Henning Singelsö

Henning Singelsö

Senior Development and Porfolio Manager, Renewable Gases, Gasum
Diego Radlmaier

Diego Radlmaier

Responsible for the international sales and origination of renewable gases, bmp greengas
Paul Vonk

Paul Vonk

Hydrogen & CCS Business Lead, Tata Steel Netherlands
Adrian Dorsch

Adrian Dorsch

Associate Director – Global Gas, LNG, and Energy Transition Consulting, S&P Global Commodity Insights
14:20 - 15:30

Parallel breakouts// Session 4 – Beyond AD: the future is now

Room: Studio. Moderator: Sasha Twining

Anaerobic Digestion is an already advanced biological technology essential for a sustainable, circular and resource efficient society, but new innovative approaches and technologies can reshape the future of the sector. This session will focus on two alternative technologies, methanation and gasification, exploring their potential, applications, and impact.

Speakers

Maria Georgiadou

Maria Georgiadou

Senior Expert, DG Research & Innovation, European Commission
Mieke Decorte

Mieke Decorte

Technical Director, European Biogas Association (EBA)
Leonardo Senatori

Leonardo Senatori

Biomethane Business Unit Manger, Pietro Fiorentini
Jeremiah Murphy

Jeremiah Murphy

Research Centre Director, University College Cork
Bijan Cour

Bijan Cour

Director Power to Gas & Renewable Hydrogen, Hitachi Zosen Inova/Kanadevia Inova
Harald Bier

Harald Bier

Secretary-General, Biochar Europe
Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Television and radio presenter
15:30 - 16:00

Coffee break and exhibition

Room: Exhibition area

16:00 - 17:30

Afternoon plenary – Charting new horizons: biomethane’s voyage in maritime and aviation

Room: Auditorium. Moderator: Sasha Twining

Sustainable biomethane represents one of the few readily available and cost-competitive alternatives to defossilise long distance and energy-intensive transport segments, such as maritime and aviation. This session will look into the current impact of biomethane in transport decarbonisation and how the EU legislation can speed up this process by facilitating the further deployment of alternative fuels.

Speakers

Annika Kroon

Annika Kroon

Head of the Maritime Transport and Logistics Unit, DG MOVE, European Commission
Filippo Munna

Filippo Munna

Sales Director Mobile Pipeline, Hexagon Agility
David Chiaramonti

David Chiaramonti

Professor, Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino
Andrea Qualiano

Andrea Qualiano

Head of Green Gas Origination & Gas Supply Portfolio Decarbonization, Edison Spa
Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Sasha Twining (Moderator)

Television and radio presenter
17:30 - 17:45

Conference closing

Room: Auditorium

Speakers

Harmen Dekker

Harmen Dekker

CEO, European Biogas Association (EBA)