Network Clean Energy Study Tour for a GCC delegation, 23-27 April 2018, Germany
EU GCC Clean Energy Technology Network, in coordination with the Gulf Cooperation Council Secretariat General (GCC SC) organised a Clean Energy Study Tour in Germany on 23-27 April 2018.
High-level delegates and experts from GCC energy authorities participated at the 5-day study tour.
The objective of the Clean Energy Study Tour is to promote the exchange of experiences and know-how with GCC stakeholders on clean energy technologies and applications, mainly on renewables and electricity interconnections.
The agenda included training workshops as well as visits to various state of the art industrial and research clean energy sites, including TransnetBW GmbH, Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW) in Stuttgart and Ulm, Siemens AG at the “Energiepark Mainz”, Uniper SE / RWTH Aachen / PGS at the E.ON Energy Research Center, Institute of Solar Research , Headquarter of the DLR and the Institute of Solar Research, etc.
The organisation of the study tour was facilitated by FICHTNER (Network's consortium partner in Germany).
“The EU GCC energy cooperation has been strong and long standing. The clean energy transition is a common challenge for both regions and we consider it is an opportunity to enhance collaboration at a concrete level to meet our energy goals. We welcome the distinguished delegation of GCC energy experts in Europe for the technical study tour. It is a great initiative of the EU GCC Clean Energy Technology Network and of the GCC Secretariat General, that further highlights the great potential for EU-GCC partnerships, in the clean energy arena.” said Marco Berti Palazzi, representative of the Directorate General for Energy, European Commission.
“Today renewable energy is a strategic choice for the GCC whether to maintain its leading role in the energy field in the world or to support its efforts and goals in achieving sustainability; especially as the GCC countries have the best potential for the development of major projects in the field of renewable energy. In recent years the GCC countries have significant initiatives in terms of policies and strategies aimed at diversifying their sources of energy and income resources. Among these commendable initiatives is the continuous pursuit of renewable energy projects.” “In this challenging process, we welcome exchange of information and partnerships with the EU on clean energy best practices and technologies that can be appropriate for our region. We are pleased to partner with the Network and the European Commission for this study tour and we look forward to a fruitful week.” noted Bader Al Otaibi, Head on Renewable Energy, Department of Electricity and Water at the Gulf Cooperation Council Secretariat General.
The delegation, among others had the opportunity to visit the followiing visits on specific clean energy technologies:
- TransnetBW: “Task and challenges of a transmission grid operator in the era of renewable energies”
- Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW): “Innovative building and thin-film solar, Hydrogen and fuel cells technologies”
- Siemens / Energy park Mainz: “Power2Gas (hydrogen) applications at the energy park”
- Uniper SE / RWTH Aachen, “Storage technologies and applications. The M5BAT battery storage system, ”,
- German Aerospace Center (DLR) - Institute of Solar Research: “Synlight and the Juelich solar CSP power plant”