Published on: 28 November 2024

The Annual event of COGEN Europe, the European Association for the Promotion of Cogeneration, took place on 14th November in Brussels.

The conference

Marco Pezzaglia, Chair of COGEN Europe, opened the conference with a brief introduction presenting the association’s Policy Priorities for the next five years, up until 2029; cogeneration can enable an efficient pathway to net-zero, notably by making the most efficient use of renewable and low-carbon gases as part of a more integrated and decentralised energy system.

The first panel of the conference focused on the policy landscape, and how to ensure a more competitive and sustainable Europe. During this panel we heard about CHP in the USA, the important role of district heating networks and the integration of cogeneration with renewable but intermittent sources such as wind and solar.

The second panel offered a view of the available CHP technologies and future biofuels, such as biomethane and hydrogen, that can replace natural gas.

During the third session, “Energy Consumers’ Voices for a Successful Clean Industrial Deal,” representatives of associations representing energy-intensive industries (such as ceramic, paper, and sugar) discussed possible scenarios for the announced Clean Industrial Deal.

The last session focused on “Getting 2040 Right – Unlocking Investments for Carbon Neutral, Competitive and Resilient Energy”.

In his closing remarks speech, Stefan Liesner, member of COGEN Europe's Executive Committee, underlined the need for European policies to deliver both climate protection and economic competitiveness. He also highlighted the important progress that the cogeneration sector has made in developing technologies that combine efficiency and flexibility, and can utilize a range of different energy sources including renewable gases and hydrogen.

"The role of cogeneration will change in the coming decades, but it will remain an important technology to enable the efficient pathway towards a netzero emissions energy system."

The Gala Awards Dinner

The COGEN Europe Recognition Awards provide an opportunity for individuals and organisations to gain recognition for their achievements in developing, applying and promoting cogeneration technologies.

The COGEN Europe Recognition Awards 2024 winners were announced during a special ceremony at the BELvue Museum in Brussels on 14 November, following the end of COGEN Europe’s Annual Conference.

This year, 7 awards were presented in 5 categories as follows:

·       Technology & Innovation Award - INNIO Jenbacher and RAG Austria AG

·       Technology & Innovation Award - Agribioenergia Società Cooperativa Agricola

·       Market Development (organisation) Award - Stadtwerke Lemgo

·       Market Development (organisation) Award - EC POWER

·       Market Development (individual) Award - Christoph Zeis, Managing Director of the Rhine Hesse District Energy Service Company – EDG

·       Young CHP Leader Award - Olga Monroy García, Regulatory and Technological Coordination Officer, COGEN Spain

·       Lifetime Achievement Award - Yavuz Aydin, Chairman of the Turkish Cogeneration Association - KOJENTÜRK

Cogeneration Channel is pleased to have been media partner of the event!

Enjoy the best moments with this video: