Hydrogen accounts for approximately 2% of Europe’s present energy consumption. However, renewable hydrogen ('green' or 'clean' hydrogen) is expected to play a key role in decarbonising sectors where other alternatives might not be feasible, or might be more expensive. These include transport and energy-intensive industrial processes. Moreover, hydrogen has also a great storage and balancing potential. In 2020, the Commission adopted a new dedicated strategy on hydrogen, and a legislative package is expected to follow. The strategy brings together different strands of action – from research and innovation via production and infrastructure to the international dimension. The strategy equally explores how producing and using renewable hydrogen can help decarbonise the EU economy in a cost-effective way, in line with the European Green Deal. In her lecture, Ms MAZUR will discuss the EU's policy on hydrogen, opportunities it represents, as well as market and network related challenges, and its role in the overall energy system integration.
Ms Ewa MAZUR is a head of Hydrogen Economy and Innovation Unit at the Ministry of Climate and Environment of the Republic of Poland. Her responsibilities focus notably on designing the strategy, policy and regulatory framework for the Polish hydrogen market. Previously, as an expert in European law and energy policy she specialised in the gas market regulation, was a Polish delegate to the Council’s Working Party on Energy, working groups of the Energy Charter Treaty and other international fora and provided expert input for the Polish proxy before the CJEU in that area. Before joining the civil service, she worked for a law firm, providing legal assistance on the development, financing, construction and operation of RES investment projects. Ms MAZUR is a College of Europe in Natolin alumna.
The event is organised in the framework of Energy and Climate Governance Nest, but all students are warmly invited to join.