This year’s edition of ADIPEC celebrates nearly 40 years of being the premier gathering of stakeholders, leaders and influencers in the energy industry. President of dmg events, the organizer of ADIPEC, Christopher Hudson gives a comprehensive preview of the event, including innovative new segments involving the youth. He shares the latest updates on ADIPEC’s role in catalyzing meaningful insights and action toward decarbonization and a more sustainable future for all.
Could you provide an overview of this year’s ADIPEC, its key themes, main objectives and what attendees can expect?
In this year of shared global and national attention on climate change and increased energy demand, ADIPEC is being hosted under the theme of “Decarbonizing. Faster. Together.” with a renewed purpose and stronger ambition to unite industries to accelerate collective, responsible action, decarbonize quicker and future-proof our energy system.
We are building on our nearly 40-year legacy of innovation and evolution to take ADIPEC to the next level, bringing together the public sector, leaders in energy and technology, the financial community and private enterprise stakeholders from a wide spectrum of industries and sectors, while providing dedicated space for more voices including future leaders, all of whom are working toward the common goal of a sustainable energy future.
The result is a rich program that includes 10 distinct conferences with over 350 expert sessions that have been carefully curated to address the biggest challenges being faced across the energy ecosystem. A focus on decarbonization runs across the entirety of the event, leveraging collaboration as a key driver of innovation and the scaling of solutions. Visitors will be able to explore 2,200 exhibitors showcasing the latest solutions, innovations and technologies shaping the future of the industry. ADIPEC 2023 will be the world’s largest gathering for the energy industry, so whether you are looking to increase value for your business, expand your network or learn more about the latest in tech innovation, there is something for everyone.
How are the key themes being addressed outside of ADIPEC? How does ADIPEC plan to drive progress beyond discussions and debates and into the next phase of the energy transition?
ADIPEC works to broaden its impact beyond the scope of our event through a series of engagements throughout the year, to ensure we continue to listen to key industry voices and adapt our program and offerings to remain relevant and purposeful in this changing energy landscape.
For example, through continued engagement with our Executive Committee, we aim to be a platform for industry-led transformation and leadership, which has helped us identify key topics for ADIPEC 2023, like reducing methane emissions and facilitating finance and investment in low-carbon energy and clean technology, which we reflected in our program.
ADIPEC also recognizes how important it is to engage with youth to create the next generation of energy leaders and solutions, which we have done for years through Young ADIPEC and the Future Leaders Program launched last year. This year we have also introduced our first Youth Council to help shape the agenda for ADIPEC and connect with industry leaders to foster intergenerational dialogue on the energy transition.
Another way ADIPEC has a lasting effect on the energy industry is through its ADIPEC Awards, which, for over 13 years, has helped identify and honor the trailblazers and changemakers in energy. Past award winners have benefitted from the recognition they received through our initiative and have gone on to achieve great things. This year we have introduced all new award categories aimed at addressing key areas in the energy transition. Our 22 finalists for 2023 are already making a significant impact on the wider energy ecosystem through their innovative programs, solutions, projects, and talent.
Read: Kuwait is outlaying nearly $6 bn to boost oil output to 3.5 mn bpd
What role can ADIPEC play in developing and deploying new technologies for decarbonization?
Innovation is the key to achieving decarbonization at the scale required for a sustainable energy transition. That is why decarbonization-focused innovation and technology have been woven into many of ADIPEC’s conference and exhibition offerings, enabling ADIPEC to serve as the platform where technical and technological challenges are identified, ideas are exchanged, and solutions are shared.
We have curated dedicated exhibition offerings to support the development and deployment of decarbonization-enabling technology. The Digitalisation in Energy Zone is a specialized area focused on showcasing the cutting-edge digital technologies that are providing solutions for a balanced energy transition. The Maritime and Logistics Zone features technology and innovations helping to decarbonize the global maritime and logistics industries at scale. Within the specialized Decarbonization Accelerator area, a dedicated Start-up Hub will host the pioneers presenting groundbreaking technologies advancing the future of decarbonization and accelerating energy progress. We are also showcasing decarbonization products, services and solutions through our Decarbonization Connect and Guide.
How can APIDEC promote collaboration and innovation in the energy industry to ensure a fair and equitable transition to a low-carbon future?
Global climate and energy challenges warrant collective action. ADIPEC offers a global, inclusive platform to tackle these issues together and share best practices, ideate, collaborate and build the momentum needed to drive urgent, collective action toward our net-zero future. It will do this by acting as an inclusive platform for collaboration and innovation, gathering the brightest minds from across the energy ecosystem as well as leaders in technology and innovation to foster dialogue and spark the disruptive thinking needed to advance the energy transition.
What are the barriers to decarbonization and how can we overcome them?
A recent report from BCG noted that while 45 percent of the 51 gigatons of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gas emissions emitted annually around the world can be mitigated with existing technologies, the remaining 55 percent requires the development of new technologies like low-carbon hydrogen, biofuels, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), direct air capture, and more.
New and improved technologies will enable industries and companies to reduce emissions, improve efficiencies, reduce environmental impact and enhance production, collectively allowing us to stay within the 1.5⁰C warming threshold set by the United Nations.
We can overcome this obstacle by channeling resources into research and development, scaling up successful pilots, and funding promising new innovations, which is what ADIPEC aims to advance by gathering the people pioneering innovations, facilitating partnerships and the provision of finance and investment to accelerate responsible action and future-proof energy.
For more energy stories, click here.
