Global Clean Energy Action Discussion’s Forum in Pittsburgh center on nuclear-hydrogen technology.
For nations all across the world, achieving net zero targets by 2050 is one of the major challenges. A delegation from the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), led by Director-General William D. Magwood IV, recently attended the Global Clean Energy Action Forum (GCEAF), which was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in conjunction with the 13th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM13) and the 7th Mission Innovation Ministerial.
In order to improve clean energy consumption, advance global energy security, support economic growth, and battle climate change, the Global Clean Energy Action Forum brought together 6000 worldwide experts with ministerial-level involvement from 30 nations.
Leaders in the field of sustainable energy, such as philanthropist and founder of Breakthrough Energy Bill Gates, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, and many others, attended the conference.
Launching two new publications on nuclear energy’s role in the hydrogen economy and possible support to decarbonization goals was the main goal of the NEA’s trip to the GCEAF.
The most prevalent element in the universe, hydrogen, is anticipated to play a significant role in the global energy equation, especially in supporting decarbonization plans in otherwise challenging-to-address sectors like industry and transportation. However, at the moment, fossil fuels are used to produce almost all hydrogen energy.
The role of nuclear power in the hydrogen economy: cost and competitiveness was the topic of a discussion this week between NEA General-Director William D. Magwood, IV, and Nuclear Energy Analyst Dr. Michel Berthélemy. In this research, the potential role of nuclear hydrogen in short-, medium-, and long-term decarbonization schemes is examined. The talk also emphasised how hydrogen generated by nuclear power is a competitive economic solution.
Director-General Magwood gave a keynote address at the joint NEA and Nice Future event Unlocking Large-Scale Deployment of Low-Carbon Hydrogen: The Role of Nuclear and Renewable Energies after launching the publication Nuclear-Hydrogen Digest: Nuclear Energy in the Hydrogen Economy. The publication features 12 projects from around the world and their creative initiatives that show that nuclear-powered hydrogen is no longer just an idea, but rather a workable solution to propel the clean hydrogen economy. NEA Nuclear Analyst Dr. Berthémy was also present to discuss the NEA’s findings for publication.
“Today, arguments on energy policy are once again centered on the potential role of hydrogen in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like heavy transportation and industrial uses. Countries are approaching a crucial phase to bring the hydrogen economy’s vision into reality, leveraging decades of research, development, and public-private collaborations, according to NEA Director-General Magwood.
Utilizing all low-carbon energy sources will be necessary to deliver low-carbon hydrogen at scale. Since nuclear power is the second-largest source of low-carbon electricity globally, it must play a significant part. The NEA Director-General said, “By 2022, 13 countries—representing 80% of the world’s installed nuclear capacity—will have climate programs that designate nuclear energy as a competitive source of energy to manufacture low-carbon hydrogen.
Director-General Magwood also took part in the panel discussion Ministerial Perspectives: Global Imperatives, Local Solutions – Actions to Accelerate Innovative Nuclear Deployment during the week in Pittsburgh, which was moderated by Terrapraxis Founder Kirsty Gogan and included Congressman Conor Lamb, Dr. John Wagner, Director of the Idaho National Laboratory, Maria Korsnick, President and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute, and Dr. Todd Allen from the University of Michigan’s Fastest Path to Zero Initiative.The US Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk led a roundtable discussion titled “Advancing Nuclear Deployment for Global Energy Renaissance Security: Public Discussions & Private Financing,” which included Director-General Magwood.
Director-General Magwood participated in the panel discussion at the Pittsburgh Builds the Future of Nuclear Power event in addition to the CEM13 panel sessions. The Director-General participated in a meeting on student leadership in the field of nuclear energy around the world along with Dr. Kathryn Huff, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy, and Rich Fitzgerald, Executive of Allegheny County.
Director-General Magwood, who is from Pittsburgh, was happy to be back in his hometown because it has consistently shown a commitment to advancing the industry.
“Pittsburgh, where I was born and raised, can be considered the nation’s birthplace of commercial nuclear energy in many ways. The innovations introduced here laid the foundation for the nuclear energy sector’s success today. It is very right that we gather in Steel City with the technologists of the newest generation to promote the inventive transformation necessary to aid nations all around the world in achieving their net-zero ambitions.
