Second Day of Gastech Exhibition & Conference Puts Climate Technology and AI at the Heart of the Energy Transition
- 68th U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry, alongside global policymakers, called for urgent public-private collaboration to meet the growing demands of the energy transition.
- Gastech’s dedicated Climatetech & AI conference highlighted the pivotal role of technology in driving wide-scale decarbonization in all parts of the energy value chain.
- Innovative start-ups operating across the energy ecosystem showcased the next generation of climate technologies at the Gastech Start-up Competition to an audience of industry-leading investors.
Houston, September 18, 2024 – Gastech 2024, the world’s premier platform for natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, climate technologies, energy manufacturing, and low carbon solutions, marked its second day, driving key conversations on the role of innovation and collaboration in delivering a just, orderly sustainable path to net-zero.
In the day’s opening session, 68th U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry captured the urgency and necessity of adopting new technologies throughout the industry, stating: “you're going to see some imbalances here and there, but the basic direction is towards decarbonization and we've made progress in that. The reality is that people have now accepted a transitional understanding, and this transitional understanding requires new technology, as well as storage, solar and wind.”
Secretary Kerry’s message on transnational collaboration was echoed in the second ministerial panel of the conference, ‘energy security and diversity in times of geopolitical uncertainty.’ Ministers from Hungary, Libya, Ghana, and the Secretary General of the International Energy Forum shared the stage and addressed the global priorities of energy security, economic development, and wide-scale emissions reduction. Speaking to the importance of a pragmatic approach to net-zero, Joseph McMonigle, Secretary General of the International Energy Forum, said: “If we are going to be successful, we need a multi-dimensional approach to the energy transition, with all possible technologies on the table and all resources on the table. If we pursue an energy transition approach which creates high prices and volatility, we are in big trouble.”
The panelists were also united in recognizing the critical urgency of scaling modern energy infrastructure through technology and investment, as was described by Hon. John K.A.A Sanie, Deputy Minister of Energy, Ghana: “a lack of investment is limiting producers from fully exploiting and utilizing their resources. Energy demand in Africa is expected to increase by 60% by the year 2040, more than anywhere else in the world. Given that context, it is about time that Africa overcomes key investment and infrastructure barriers to deliver energy across the continent.”
During the Climatetech & AI conference, discussions centered on the essential role of public and private collaboration in developing cutting-edge decarbonization and energy transition solutions. Recognizing the immense potential of both existing and new climate technologies, especially in light of the widespread adoption of AI, the conference emphasized the impact of supportive policies and regulations in driving capital into the industry's most innovative projects.
Speakers across this dedicated conference shared insights on the public sector initiatives and private sector strategies required to accelerate the integration of technology into key energy-related sectors. During a session titled ‘optimizing direct air capture to reduce legacy global emissions,’ Savannah Bush, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Climeworks, argued for greater promotion of climate technologies - like direct air capture - throughout the industry: “I hope you all leave with optimism about DAC, as a serious, viable, and commercial solution that is ready to go to market. Also, as much as you can within your private circles, providing education about DAC is the biggest thing - from where we are on a price perspective, to technological readiness.”
Methane reduction strategies remained a key area of discussion, with many remarking on the critical nature of technology in driving this change. Speaking on a panel titled “driving purposeful industry progress on methane reduction”, H.E. Osama Mobarez, Secretary General, East Mediterranean Gas Forum called for greater support for innovation across the sector: “a key point in this endeavor is how can we engage technologies - and push for research into technologies - that can support projects related to methane emissions abatement.”
Day Two of the Climatetech & AI exhibition played host to the event’s cutting-edge Start-up Zone, where top energy entrepreneurs presented the innovative products and technologies that are set to transform industry practices. Meanwhile, the Gastech Start-up Competition, held in partnership with the Houston Energy Transition Initiative, provided emerging start-ups with the opportunity to pitch their innovations and technologies to industry-leading investors.
During another packed day, Gastech has built a growing consensus around the transformative power of natural gas and LNG, as well as the game-changing solutions that can enable a low-carbon, flexible, and affordable energy mix.
*Ends*
****
Notes to Editor
About Gastech
Taking place annually, Gastech stands as the world's foremost gathering for natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, climate technologies, energy manufacturing, and low carbon solutions. With attendance reaching more than 50,000 international participants, it serves as a pivotal platform where heads of state, government officials, ministers, global business leaders, disruptors, and innovators converge to engage in meaningful conversations on the future of global energy.
This year, Gastech will take place at George R Brown Convention Center in Houston, from 17-20 September 2024.
Media wishing to attend:
Contact us at [email protected] to be informed when media registration is open.
For more information, please visit www.gastechevent.com
Follow us on social media channels @Gastechevent and use #Gastech
For media enquiries, contact:
[email protected] / +44 75 3819 6545
For media partnerships, contact:
[email protected] / +44 77 1413 4683
About dmgevents
dmg events is one of the leading global event organizers, working across several key industries. Its energy portfolio includes some of the biggest events in the sector, such ADIPEC, the Global Energy Transition Congress, the Egypt Energy Show, the World Utilities Congress, and the Global Energy Show.
www.dmgevents.com
