Commissioner Kadri Simson and Port of Antwerp-Bruges discuss collaboration for making sustainable energy transition a reality in Europe

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Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy, and Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, met on July 7th at the Antwerp Port House. The meeting focused on the hydrogen goals of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, as hydrogen is a critical component of a sustainable and resilient energy system.

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges prioritizes infrastructure expansion to accept, capture, process, and convey renewable energy. Ports, in the end, play an important role in the import, transit, usage, and export of renewable energy flows. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, is committed to international relationships with key exporting nations such as Oman and Namibia.

A comprehensive European policy framework is required for the implementation of the hydrogen market, in addition to the development of crucial infrastructure and involvement in international collaborations. The European Commission’s top priorities are energy transformation and energy independence. The REPowerEU proposal, for example, exemplifies this. The need of providing import options in addition to domestic renewable energy production is emphasized in this proposal. The ‘European Hydrogen Bank’ is a financial support mechanism for European off-takers in order to encourage investment in sustainable hydrogen production and procurement.

These efforts were thoroughly discussed during a discussion between CEO Jacques Vandermeiren and European Commissioner Kadri Simson.

According to all parties, the introduction of the worldwide hydrogen market requires an unequivocal signal from the European Commission. In this context, the European Hydrogen Bank’s international pillar will be critical.

Source:

https://circularports.vlaanderen-circulair.be/commissioner-kadri-simson-and-port-of-antwerp-bruges-discuss-collaboration-for-making-sustainable-energy-transition-a-reality-in-europe/

EU rolling stock supply perspectives

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The research assesses the availability and demand for rolling stock up to 2030 and emphasizes any barriers to the deployment of rolling stock that may stand in the way of the EU’s rail transport objectives. The research provides the foundation for deciding whether or not incentives for rolling stock supply inside the EU (including imports and/or local manufacture) are necessary, and it offers policy suggestions pertinent to EU decision-making.

Some takeaways of the report represented below.

• The rolling stock market is anticipated to grow until 2030, with regional growth rates varying. The market in the European Union, which is bigger and more established than many others, is anticipated to increase by 2-3% annually.
• In the world market for the supply of rolling stock, 20 companies account for 80% of annual sales. Manufacturers in the EU have kept a positive balance of exports to imports over the past ten years. These manufacturers compete for contracts globally and are generally located in nations with sizable domestic markets.
• It is projected that demand for rolling equipment will vary across all transportation sectors due to variables including technological developments, the retirement of aging fleets, changes in the types of goods moved, network electrification, and the expansion of infrastructure, particularly high-speed rail.
• The policy framework of the EU has a considerable impact on interoperability and decarbonization, which affects both the site decisions of manufacturers and the supply industry. The unified European railway area’s standardisation and interoperability boosts competition and draws in overseas rivals.
• The European Commission and European Investment Bank provide a variety of financing methods and mechanisms that are used for both the purchase of rolling stock and the development of new technologies. Alternative financing options for the purchase of rolling stock are offered by the rail industry itself and other specialized international financial institutions (such as EUROFIMA, EBRD).

Source:

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/IPOL_STU(2023)747263

Study on the potentialities of AI for businesses

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What are the implications for businesses of the current breakthroughs in artificial intelligence?

In its research “The Future of Generative AI,” the Berlin-based corporate venture building business Creative Dock examined market dynamics across a number of sectors and created a potential scenario for the year 2026. This glimpse into the near future, according to a press release, aims to highlight which industries may benefit from AI most and which business sectors are likely to expand as a consequence.

The paper lists mobility and transport logistics as sectors for which thorough integration of generative AI might pay off in particular, in addition to medical, the financial industry, or energy management. The report states that if sophisticated generative AI systems are fully integrated into the streetcar transportation sector by 2026, this would specifically alleviate urban environments. The movement of products and people has been revolutionized in this scenario by autonomous vehicles with a high level of connection and whose control is based on AI algorithms. Reduced emissions and congestion levels might be the outcome.

The prediction created by Creative Dock uses AI-driven traffic management tools that interface directly with autonomous cars to evaluate real-time data, anticipate changes in traffic levels, and take appropriate action. This makes it possible, for instance, to modify the timing and routing of traffic lights. By suggesting lower-emission routes, the AI-based real-time data analysis may also aid in making fleet management and routing more sustainable.

But the news release also noted that the technology would be constrained by rigorous regulations, according to the experts consulted.

Source(in German):

https://logistra.de/news/nfz-fuhrpark-lagerlogistik-intralogistik-studie-creative-dock-wie-generative-ki-die-logistik-verbessert-202102.html