Powering the transition: Understanding the role of renewable energy, hydrogen and electrification in phasing out fossil fuels
Three-day workshop in Bangkok on the role of renewable energy, electrification and renewable hydrogen in phasing out fossil fuels
About our training 'Powering the transition: Understanding the role of renewable energy, hydrogen and electrification in phasing out fossil fuels'
Agora Think Tanks will be hosting a three-day training aimed at preparing participants to better engage in policy debates around phasing out fossil fuels in Asia. The training focuses on the exploring the different roles of renewable power, electrification and hydrogen in shifting economies onto climate-compatible pathways. Upon completion of the course, participants will be equipped to compare electrification opportunities with the risks of hydrogen use while reflecting on their own country contexts. This training is targeted towards early-to-mid career staff working on energy transition issues, with particular interest in decarbonisation strategies related to phasing out fossil fuels.
Background and purpose
Countries throughout Asia remain heavily dependent on fossil fuels, not only for electricity generation, but as a fuel for transport and feedstock for the region’s industries. Although policy debates have begun to converge on the need to phase out coal, many policymakers and industry stakeholders continue to argue that fossil gas can act as ‘transition’ or ‘bridging’ fuel on the way to renewables-based energy systems. At the same time, hydrogen has generated great hype in recent years, drawing attention away from decarbonisation priorities in the region and opening new opportunities for further use of fossil fuels in different sectors such as power generation, industry and transport.
Still, renewables-based electrification is often the quickest way for countries to reduce fossil fuel dependence, a strategy that can be complemented by renewable hydrogen, especially by displacing fossil fuels in applications where electrification is less viable. Moreover, renewable energy and electrification can enhance countries’ energy security and support key sectors such as industry and transport in their transition towards climate neutrality. As such, being able to assess the impacts of hydrogen produced by different resources and argue for the appropriate uses of renewable hydrogen will be key to avoiding competition for domestic renewable resources and delaying decarbonisation pathways.
Agora Energiewende and Agora Industry will host a three-day training programme focused on sharing Agora’s expertise in policy, technology and economic analysis to assess and compare electrification solutions with the potential applications of renewable power as a strategy for climate neutrality.
The programme is designed to enable participants to compare the role of hydrogen from different perspectives, including cost, technology development, policy, sustainability criteria and trade, and to discuss its potential use in their local contexts.
Our upcoming trainings
- Fall 2024: 22-24 October | 29-31 October
The call for applications is NOW OPEN until 5 August!
How to apply - application NOW OPEN
We ask interested participants to prepare their CV and a short (max 600 words) letter of motivation.
In the letter of motivation, we ask that you:
- introduce yourself, your institution, and how your work addresses the role of gas-phase out and/or renewable hydrogen,
- describe some of the challenges you face when engaging with stakeholders on topics related to fossil fuel use, hydrogen, or other related topics,
- describe your vision for how the knowledge and skills you expect to gain in this training could feed into your institution’s current or future activities and
- indicate your preferred training dates.
Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis – thus the earlier you apply, the higher your chance.
For any questions, kindly reach out to us at info(at)agora-training(dot)org.
What to expect
On completion of the three-day training, participants will be able to:
- Recognise the relevance of renewables deployment as the main decarbonisation strategy to support electrification and a renewable hydrogen economy.
- Assess opportunities of electrification and renewable hydrogen as alternatives to fossil fuels as well as potential risks of hydrogen uses.
- Apply techno-economic tools to calculate production and delivery costs of hydrogen in selected countries.
- Discuss sustainability requirements and policies suited for the development of a renewable hydrogen economy.
Methods:
You can expect a mixture of interactive presentations, individual hands-on exercises, group work and facilitated discussions. Our aim is to create a safe and informal learning environment in which participants learn with and from each other. Sharing best practices from local contexts is actively encouraged.
Who is eligible
The training programme is open to applicants currently employed by or affiliated with a think tank, non-governmental or civil society organisation working in the energy transition. The training is targeted towards early-to-mid career professionals, working on energy transition issues with particular interest in use of hydrogen and its derivatives (or Power-to-X products).
As we seek to improve participant’s knowledge and skills to expand their institution’s evidence-based energy transition advocacy, we ask that participants:
- are already actively engaged in public and policy debates on renewable energy transitions;
- are eager to increase their knowledge and advance the discussions and developments on renewable energy, renewable hydrogen and decarbonisation strategies; and
- are considering developing future activities (e.g. policy, advocacy, campaigns) related to fossil fuel phase outs or renewable hydrogen.
Our training package
Location
The three-day training programme will take place in Bangkok, Thailand. The precise venue will be announced later.
Training dates
The training will be held on two occasions in October, each with 20 participants.
- 22-24 October 2024
- 29-31 October 2024
Costs
Participation in the training is free of charge. Participants will receive:
- Access to the three-day training with no fee
- 3-4 nights’ accommodation
- Breakfast and lunch throught the training
Participants will be expected to cover:
- International and local transport
- Dinners
- Visa costs
- Any incidental expenses outside of the training
