1. Marina Tinning

Marina Tinning provided an overview of the hydrogen market, including the current state of hydrogen projects in Australia. She discussed the complexities of financing these projects amid evolving regulatory frameworks and offtake risks. Tinning emphasized that diverse financing sources and key Australian government initiatives, such as partnerships with other countries, would play a critical role in Australia's ambition to become a hydrogen exporter. She underscored the risks associated with regulatory changes and the need for long-term contracts with credible customers.

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2. Dr. Nikolai Kinaev

​Dr. Nikolai Kinaev discussed the technological aspects of hydrogen production and the current landscape of hydrogen technologies. He outlined the various hydrogen production methods, their maturity levels, and the associated risks. Kinaev emphasized the importance of safety concerns and environmental impacts, highlighting significant knowledge gaps in the understanding of hydrogen's role in the atmosphere. He called for increased research and collaboration to address these challenges and improve the hydrogen ecosystem.

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3. Takeo Akamatsu

​Takeo Akamatsu focused on ammonia's role in the hydrogen economy, especially from a shipping and energy perspective. He emphasized the need for safety studies and collaborations with stakeholders to develop a framework for ammonia as a shipping fuel. Akamatsu shared the progress made by Itochu in developing ammonia-powered vessels and the importance of establishing a safe and effective bunkering system. He outlined the company’s plans for future ammonia projects in collaboration with various partners, underscoring the significance of government policies and international agreements.

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4. Nikolaus Boltz

​Nikolaus Boltz discussed the trading system of hydrogen within the Asia-Pacific region and its opportunities and challenges. He highlighted the potential for the area to become a significant player in the global hydrogen market, driven by increasing demand, particularly from countries like Japan and South Korea, which lack sufficient domestic renewable energy resources. Boltz detailed the critical role of government policies in fostering hydrogen production and trade and the need for a robust infrastructure to support the efficient transport and storage of hydrogen. He emphasized the importance of aligning market demands with sustainable practices and harmonizing regional standards. Additionally, Boltz mentioned the collaborative efforts between countries to leverage their strengths in hydrogen production, ensuring that economic viability and competitive pricing are maintained as the industry evolves.

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5. Stephen Land

​Stephen Land addressed the collaborative development of a hydrogen ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific region, highlighting the infrastructure needs and challenges faced in achieving a sustainable hydrogen economy. He discussed the current state of hydrogen production, the existing market and pricing challenges, and the importance of government support for long-term investments. Land emphasized the potential of both green and blue hydrogen and the necessity of developing robust offtake agreements to ensure economic viability. He concluded by stressing the need for a coordinated approach between governments and industries to overcome existing barriers to hydrogen adoption.

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