Impressive size and professionalism

A completely different league to Hannover Messe or Hy-Fcell in Stuttgart: The World Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition in Rotterdam showed from May 13 to 15, 2024 where the H₂ event sector can go. Similarly to the Hydrogen Technology Conference & Expo in Bremen, the organizers staged a large, professional industry gathering, which most participants were impressed by, if not enthusiastic about, which makes you wonder why the fair only lasted two days.

On both days, the floor of the Ahoy Arena was not only bustling with activity, but downright alive and lively – everything was bursting with energy. Full aisles, intensive exchanges and a loud babble of voices – not only at the evening stand parties. A completely different dimension than at most events so far, especially German ones. Even long-time trade fair visitors were impressed by what the organizers described as the “world’s largest” exhibition focusing on hydrogen.

Notable was the number of domestic exhibitors as well as the sometimes very large number of country representatives (20 in total), not least thanks to the support of the Dutch government as co-organizer of the event. Australia, Andalusia, Canada, Chile, Finland, India, Japan, Korea, Morocco, Namibia, Norway, Oman, South Africa and Uruguay, for example, all had their own stands. The VDMA (German association of mechanical engineers) had its own joint PtX stand, and a number of German companies were also present, albeit often with their Dutch representatives.

at the fair with participants from Australia and all over the world.

Among the exhibitors was also Hilux, a Toyota subsidiary, which presented a converted pick-up truck. The prototype, of which a total of ten units have now been built, has a fuel cell system from the Mirai 2 instead of the diesel unit as well as three H₂ pressurized gas tanks, which are installed underfloor behind the driver’s seat, while the battery is located on the passenger side. Currently, the vehicles are being tested by customers and it is not unlikely that this model will actually be ready for series production.

Among the trade fair visitors was also the Dutch energy minister Rob Jetten (left), here at the Norway stand in conversation with Maurice Adriaensen, director at DNV Energy Systems

The Hydrogen Transport Award of the SEC (Sustainable Energy Council) was won this year by the Australian company Fortescue with its ammonia-powered ship. Green Pioneer is considered the first ship of its kind to be certified to use ammonia in combination with diesel as a marine fuel. Mark Hutchinson, CEO of Fortescue Energy, said: “Green Pioneer is a testament to our delivery capability and commitment and shows the future of green ammonia as a marine fuel. But our work doesn’t stop here. We are now calling on regulators, ports and institutions to join us in accelerating the adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel. Let us create green maritime hubs and corridors together and usher in a new era of sustainable shipping.”

Emma White, head of marketing for the British organizer Sustainable Energy Council (SEC), spoke to H2-international of more than 15,000 trade fair and more than 2,000 conference guests (if a person appears on three days, they are counted three times) as well as 500 exhibitors who presented their products and services. At the Hydrogen Technology Conference & Expo in Bremen last year were around 550 exhibitors and more than 10,000 visitors.

Large, prominent conference
Similar to Hannover, there were two presentation forums where current developments were provided in the form of lectures, and a truly impressively large three-day conference that easily eclipses German congresses in terms of both the prominence of the speakers and the number of participants. (The only irritating thing was that not all conference guests knew that the trade fair did not run parallel on every day.) There was also an Africa Hydrogen Forum and the awarding of the World Hydrogen Awards.

Visit from New Mexico
Noteworthy was the visit of the governor of New Mexico: Michelle Lujan Grisham appeared in the Netherlands with an accompanying entourage and business representatives to promote the settlement of potential interested parties on the abundant land available in New Mexico. The US state, which has so far been dominated by oil and gas, is consciously focusing on the transformation process, in order to create a new future for the country and the many people working in the energy sector.

During an on-site talk with H2-international, the governor expressed that New Mexico is well prepared for the energy transition and has no fears about a presidential change should it come to that in November 2024. The detailed interview will follow in the October 2024 edition of H2-international.

Author: Sven Geitmann