18e Edition of the Energaïa Forum, held on December 11 and 12, 2024 at the Montpellier exhibition center, marked a decisive turning point for renewable energies (ENR). By bringing together 22,000 participants and 450 exhibitors, the event confirmed its role as a catalyst in the energy transition, with a focus marked on the development of green hydrogen.
Record attendance, reflection of Un remarkable impulse
With an increase in attendance of 32 % compared to 2023, Energaïa 2024 has established itself as an unmissable event for ENR professionals. Nearly 450 exhibitors, including a hundred international participants, were present to present innovative solutions in key sectors such as solar, wind, biomass and hydrogen.
Caroline Gignon, forum manager, sums up this dynamic : « Energaïa reflects the plurality of the sector and is positioned as an essential crossroads to accelerate the energy transition. »
This momentum has also resulted in a significant increase in the international visitors, thanks in particular to the involvement of the Ad’OCC agency, which mobilized more than 60 foreign decision-makers from countries such as Morocco, Germany and the United Kingdom.
A strategic place for green hydrogen
Among the flagship themes of this edition, green hydrogen has occupied a position of choice. Considered an essential lever for decarboning of sectors that are difficult to electrify, hydrogen has been the subject of several marking conferences and presentations, illustrating its potential in the energy transition.
One of the most anticipated conferences, entitled Hydrogen green: the pillar of the decarbonation of the territoriesbrought together experts from ADEME, CEA and private actors such as MCPHY and LHYFE. They explored the technological and financial challenges linked to the production and storage of hydrogen, as well as its role in critical sectors such as mobility and industry.
Hydrogen projects: a growing dynamic
The show was also an opportunity to highlight concrete projects illustrating the potential of hydrogen, among which:
• Folell’hy, the Corsica Sole pilot project, which uses solar surplus to produce and store hydrogen in Corsica, before injecting it into the network to stabilize the supply.
• Hymontpellier, a local initiative to integrate hydrogen into public transport of the Montpellier metropolis.
• Hyport, a regional project deployed in Occitanie, which incorporates hydrogen solutions at the airports of Toulouse-Blagnac and Tarbes-Lerdes.
These projects illustrate the commitment of territories to exploit hydrogen to achieve their carbon neutrality objectives, while creating jobs and new industrial sectors.
Conferences and workshops to shed light on the future
Energaïa 2024 offered more than 120 conferences and pitchallowing participants to discuss various themes. Among the highlights:
• Employment and trainingwhich opened the living room with a round table bringing together more than 200 participants. This debate has highlighted the growing skills needs to support the rise in ENR, especially in the hydrogen sector.
• The decarbon city of tomorrowapproached through subjects such as collective self -consumption, solar thermal and geothermal energy.
• Hydrogen infrastructurea transversal subject that has aroused marked interest, due to the challenges linked to logistics, storage and distribution.
By offering a rich and diversified exchange platform, Energaïa made it possible to set concrete milestones for the development of enr, while sensitizing the strategic challenges of the deployment of hydrogen.
