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Agenda


CONFERENCE DAY 1 - MONDAY 9TH OCTOBER 2023
POLICY FOCUS, OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

14:00
- 14:30

Coffee & Registration

SESSION 1 | CONFERENCE OPENING | TOWARDS NET ZERO: WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION | 14:30 – 16:00 CET

Landscape of ZEB (Zero Emission Bus) deployment, focus on EU position and on existing EU/national policies and political barriers yet to overcome for the deployment of large ZEB fleets

14:30
- 14:40

Conference Opening (1/2)

Redgy Deschacht – Speaker
President, Busworld Foundation
Michael Dolman – Speaker
Partner, Element Energy Ltd (an ERM group company)
Lydia Peeters – Speaker
Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works
14:40
- 14:50

Conference Opening (2/2): Transitioning to zero emission: Brussels' ZEB plan

An overview of Brussels’ transition to zero emission transport, including the transition of the STIB-MIVB fleet to zero emission.

Brieuc de Meeûs – Speaker
CEO, STIB-MIVB
Elke Van Den Brandt – Speaker
Brussels' Minister of Mobility, 
Public Works and Road Safety
14:50
- 15:00

Overview of the status of ZEB deployment in Europe

State of play of the bus and coach market in the EU

Eamonn Mulholland – Speaker
Researcher, Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program, The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)
15:00
- 16:00

Panel | Overcoming barriers to ZEB deployment

Panel aiming to discuss the successful political measures enabling large-scale deployment of ZEBs as well as the remaining barriers to address.

Axel Volkery – Moderator
Deputy Head of Unit Sustainable and Intelligent Transport, DG MOVE, European Commission
Antoine Grange – Panellist
CEO Europe, Transdev
Klaus Bonhoff – Panellist
Head of Department Policy Affairs, Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, Germany
Kristoffer Tamsons – Panellist
Vice-chairman of the Swedish Public Transport Association, Sweden

COFFEE BREAK 

16:00
- 16:30

Coffee & Networking

SESSION 2| TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE OF ZEBs (1/2)| 16:30 – 18:00 CET

Landscape of performances of BEBs (Battery Electric Buses), FCBs (Fuel Cell Buses) and associated infrastructures, real world technical experience of large fleets and remaining technical challenges to address for complete full fleet transition to ZEB. Maintenance, and safety topics of ZEBs will also be addressed.

16:30
- 16:40

How will the EU keep its position as a leader in ZEB deployment

Progress and actions to take in terms of European and national policies in combination

Daniel Mes – Speaker
Member of Frans Timmermans' Cabinet and Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal, European Commission.
16:40
- 16:55

State of play of Performance of Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) and charging infrastructures

AVERE, a European association specifically representing and advocating for electromobility, will present the latest results on the performance of electric buses and charging infrastructure.

Philippe Vangeel – Speaker
Secretary General, AVERE
16:55
- 17:10

State of play of Performance of FCBs (Fuel Cell Buses) and HRSs (Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructures)

Results from the JIVE/JIVE 2/MEHRLIN projects deploying 298 FCBs and 18 HRSs across 16 European cities – the largest deployment attempted to date in Europe.

Klaus Stolzenburg – Speaker
Managing Director, PLANET
Vanessa Roderer – Speaker
Sustainability Consultant Energy & Mobility, Sphera
17:10
- 18:00

Panel | Performance of Zero Emission Buses

Panel composed of bus operators with large ZEB fleets (with both FCBs and BEBs) and bus OEMs aiming to discuss the current vehicle performances of ZEB (vs. diesel buses) and challenges and opportunities of operating and maintaining large ZEB fleets. Safety of ZEB fleets as well as training will also be covered.

David Barnett – Moderator
General Manager - Engineering, Translink
Geert van Hecke – Panellist
Head of Sales Public Transport, Van Hool
Gerrit Spijksma – Panellist
CEO, Qbuzz
Josep-maria Armengol Villa – Panellist
Technical Director, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB)

START OF DAY 2 – TUESDAY 10TH OCTOBER 2023
OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

09:00
- 09:30

Coffee and Registration

SESSION 3 | TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE OF ZEBs (2/2) | 09:30 – 11:00 CET

Case studies of leading cities in large ZEB deployment (EU and worldwide). Data analytics, essential to smooth and optimal ZEB operation, will also be covered.

09:30
- 09:35

Conference Opening

Jan Deman – Speaker
Managing Director, Busworld Foundation
09:35
- 09:50

Electrifying public transport: RATP's ZEB journey in Paris and beyond

This presentation will delve into RATP’s transformative journey towards sustainable public transportation, highlighting their ambitious goals, innovative strategies, and tangible outcomes.

Patrice Lovisa, Area Manager at RATP, will share RATP’s operational experience and achievements in deploying zero emission buses. The challenges encountered along the way and strategies employed to overcome them, from infrastructure development and charging solutions to operational optimisation will be covered.

Patrice Lovisa – Speaker
Area Manager, RATP Group
09:50
- 10:10

The Other Electric Bus: A California Agency Deploys 33 Fuel Cell Buses & Additional Developments from the US ZEB Market

Roland Cordero of Foothill Transit & Jaimie Levin of the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) will cover the state of the United States’ ZEB market with particular attention on the state of California. Mr. Cordero will present on Foothill’s active deployment of 33 New Flyer hydrogen fuel cell buses that are operating outside of Los Angeles.

Jaimie Levin – Speaker
Senior Managing Consultant, The Center of Transportation and the Environment (CTE)
Roland Cordero – Speaker
Director of Maintenance and Vehicle Technology, Foothill Transit
10:10
- 11:00

Data Analytics - Optimising operational fleet performance and planning future fleet decisions

Panel to discuss the required solutions and tools available for optimising operational performance of large ZEB fleets, and the use of data, analytics, diagnostics, digitalisation and remote monitoring to allow ZEBs to be more efficient and predictable.

Steve Carroll – Moderator
Head of Transport, CENEX
Claudius Jehle – Panellist
CEO, volytica diagnostics
Martin West – Panellist
Principal Engineer - Vehicles, TFL Engineering, Transport for London

COFFEE BREAK

11:00
- 11:30

Coffee & Networking

SESSION 4 | THE INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGE: BATTERY & HYDROGEN | 11:30 – 13:20 CET

This session will focus on the performance and maintenance of refuelling/recharging infrastructures and remaining technical challenges to overcome. Grid and depot management will also be covered.

11:30
- 11:45

Efficient Hydrogen Refuelling Solutions - Performance and innovations

Keynote speech covering current technologies in hydrogen refuelling and future innovations

Susanne Goldammer – Speaker
Managing Director, Linde Hydrodgen FuelTech GmbH
11:45
- 12:30

Panel | HRS Infrastructure: Challenges and Solutions 

Panel aiming to discuss current station performance (latest progress and remaining technical challenges), available refuelling solutions (on-site / off-site, mobile / stationary), adapting depots to large FCB fleets, maintenance and safety requirements, and an ecosystem approach. 

Lionel Boillot – Moderator
Project Officer, Clean Hydrogen JU
Flip Konings – Panellist
Policy Advisor Sustainability & Energy Transition, OV-bureau Groningen Drenthe
12:30
- 12:40

Efficient Charging Solutions – Performance and innovations

Keynote speech covering current technologies in charging solutions and future innovations

12:40
- 13:25

Panel | Charging Infrastructure - Challenges and solutions 

Panel to discuss current charging station performance, depot electrification, charging management and solutions, maintenance and safety requirements and ecosystem approach. Grid capacity will also be discussed.

Celine Cluzel – Moderator
Partner, Element Energy Ltd (an ERM group company)
Gerard Hellburg – Panellist
Programme Manager, Clean & Sustainable - Vervoerregio Amsterdam
Markus Mildner – Panellist
CEO eMobility, Siemens Smart Infrastructure
13:25
- 13:30

Closing Speech

CONFERENCE NETWORKING EVENT

18:00
- 22:00

Networking Dinner

START OF DAY 3 – WEDNESDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2023
ECONOMICS, FINANCING AND FUNDING OF ZERO EMISSION BUSES

09:00
- 09:30

Coffee & Registration

SESSION 5 | ECONOMICS OF ZEBs | 09:30 – 11:00 CET

TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) of BEBs (Battery Electric Buses) and FCBs (Fuel Cell Buses) and building a sustainable business case for large ZEB fleets. Economics of retrofitted buses and 2nd hand buses/batteries will also be covered. 

09:30
- 09:35

Conference Opening

09:35
- 09:55

Total Cost of Ownership case study on BEBs and FCBs

Case study/presentation from the JIVE project and large BEB fleets

Vanessa Roderer – Speaker
Sustainability Consultant Energy & Mobility, Sphera
09:55
- 10:45

Panel | Building a strong business model for Battery Electric Buses

This panel will discuss the economics of Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) and how a sustainable business model for BEBs can be achieved, including emerging financing models where operators no longer own the entirety of their assets. The panel will also address the learnings from the energy crisis and associated electricity price fluctuation.

Ruter, the public transportation agency for Oslo, will share its experience and the perspective of ZEB finances from a transport authority point of view. It will be discussed how important the procurement/contractual stages are, as well as the importance of having discussions with the whole market to offer a high quality zero-emission bus service at minimum cost to the inhabitants. Keolis will cover the operator perspective and how they ensure an attractive service offering for the authorities in terms of cost, discussing the importance of lifespan extension to make e-buses cost-competitive.

Element Energy will provide insight on the second-hand market for electric buses. Zenobe will cover the topic of second-hand batteries and the option of component leasing for operators. Siemens Financial Services will present the advantages of full leasing models, reducing up-front costs significantly, whilst providing a predictable and steady cashflow prediction.

Richard Riley – Moderator
Senior Principal Consultant, Element Energy Ltd (an ERM Group company)
Bernt Reitan Jenssen – Panellist
CEO, Ruter As
Bruno Lapeyrie – Panellist
Director, Centre of Expertise Energy Transition-Bus, Keolis
Matthias Grossmann – Panellist
CEO Commercial Finance, Siemens Financial Services
Steven Meersman – Panellist
Co-Founder and Director, Zenobe
10:45
- 11:00

Hydrogen fuel cells as an enabler for mobility decarbonisation: Symbio's solution for buses & coaches

Decarbonising mobility is a major challenge for passenger transport operators, whether urban, interurban or long distance.

Presenting TCO, Performance and flexibility Symbio’s Product Manager will show how fuel cell buses are a relevant solution for demanding operations.

Alexandre Papillon – Speaker
Product Manager, Symbio

COFFEE BREAK

11:00
- 11:30

Coffee & Networking

SESSION 6 | THE FUTURE OF FUNDING MODELS FOR ZEBs AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCURES | 11:30 – 13:10 CET

11:30
- 12:20

Panel | Financing a full fleet transition - Public funding options

Panel aiming to discuss available public funding options (on a European and National level) and whether they are enough to make a full fleet transition a reality and Just Transition.

Richard Ferrer – Moderator
Head of Alternative Fuel Sector, CINEA
François Warnier de Wailly – Panellist
Director of the Bus 2025 Programme, RATP Group
Ian Jennings – Panellist
Senior Specialist Urban Transport, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
Neil Valentine – Panellist
Head of Urban Mobility, European Investment Bank
12:20
- 13:10

Panel | Building a strong business model for FCBs (Fuel Cell Buses)

This panel aims to discuss the economics of FCBs and how to achieve a sustainable business model for FCBs. The different ways of achieving a sustainable business model including emerging financing models where operators no longer own the entirety of their assets will be discussed. The aim will also be to address and discuss the learnings from the energy crisis and associated H2 price fluctuation.

START OF DAY 4 – THURSDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2023
ZERO EMISSION COACHES AND LONG-DISTANCE SERVICES

09:00
- 09:30

Coffee and Registration

SESSION 7 | STATE OF PLAY FOR ZERO EMISSION COACHES | 09:30 – 11:00 CET 

Landscape of Zero Emission Coaches, latest market development, focus on the client’s technical requirements.  

09:30
- 09:40

Conference Opening

09:40
- 10:00

Market development and demand for zero emission coaches - a French market focus

10:00
- 10:50

Panel | Zero Emission Coaches: Meeting the needs of customers

Panel to discuss the technical requirements from operators to fully decarbonise their coach fleets and the developments from bus OEMs in this market.

This panel will involve feedback from some of the first European zero emission coach projects, including the Nomad Car Hydrogène project (Normandy) and the 100% electric interurban express regional coach lines (Region Sud).

The objective will be to understand the different customer needs for zero emission coaches and peri-urban buses. GPN (Global Passenger Network) will be the voice of premium bus and motor coach companies worldwide. Insights on Transdev’s plans to decarbonise its coach fleet and what the needs are for it to be successful will also be shared.

The panel will also address how manufacturers are responding to customer needs and the actions that are being taken to develop the market.

Zemo Partnership will share insights from their Bus & Coach Working Group, which collaborates with government and industry to ensure customer needs are met. Projects include the Zero Emission Bus Certification scheme as well as industry publications and public forums to share best practices and technical guidance to accelerate the market.

Before zero emission coaches can be realised, other solutions enabling operators to reduce emissions will be discussed. Solarbus pro will be presenting its high-performance solar modules allowing to partly decarbonize long-distance traveling

Timothy Griffen – Moderator
Project Officer, Zemo Partnership
Agnes Pastuszak – Panellist
President, Global Passenger Network (GPN)
Amandine Allard – Panellist
Chief of Client Services, Transdev Normandy
10:50
- 11:00

Daily Drive - Exploring the technical experience and challenges of operating a Fuel Cell Bus fleet

Zero-emission vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells are critical for the future of decarbonising buses, coaches and other heavy-duty vehicles. As manufacturing and economies of scale improve, the commercial prospects for hydrogen fuel cell-led technology increases, offering an emission-free solution to operators and municipal authorities.

Thanks to the proactive approach employed by manufacturers, agencies and governments globally the segment is on an upward trajectory in technological and commercial acceptance and deployment – but more is required as the industry aims to hit ambitious net zero goals.

David Yorke – Speaker
Market Development Manager, Ballard Power Systems Europe
11:00
- 11:30

Coffee & Networking

SESSION 8 |ZE COACHES & LONG DISTANCE SERVICES: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES| 11:30 – 13:00 CET

First return of experience of prototypes and early deployments. Current regulation, target for the sector and infrastructure/technological challenges will also be covered. 

11:30
- 11:50

Learnings from the deployment of the network to support deployment of the zero-emission coach ecosystem in Germany

NOW – a federally owned company, taking assignments in the area of sustainable mobility and energy supply from top-level federal authorities – will be presenting the hydrogen and recharging perspective of the ecosystem for coach buses. Experts from NOW will present the learnings, challenges and opportunities linked to the expansion of charging and refueling network essential for the emergence of the zero-emission coach market.

Maximilian Lohrer – Speaker
Programme Manager Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (Commercial Vehicles), NOW GmbH
Jascha Lackner – Speaker
Bus Programme Manager, NOW GmbH
11:50
- 12:50

Zero Emission Coach Ecosystem - Technological challenges and business adaptations (infrastructure focus)

This panel will discuss the opportunities and challenges to the emerging market of zero emission coaches, with a focus on infrastructure. Discussion topics include the availability of the network, managing limitations, charging time, range anxiety and management, and new business models.

Raluca Marian – Moderator
Director, EU Advocacy & General Delegate, International Road Transport Union (IRU)
Daniel Zellinger – Panellist
Team Lead Bus Fleet Strategy, FlixBus
12:50
- 13:00

Closing speech

Speakers

Agnes Pastuszak – Panellist
President, Global Passenger Network (GPN)
Alexandre Papillon – Speaker
Product Manager, Symbio
Amandine Allard – Panellist
Chief of Client Services, Transdev Normandy
Antoine Grange – Panellist
CEO Europe, Transdev
Axel Volkery – Moderator
Deputy Head of Unit Sustainable and Intelligent Transport, DG MOVE, European Commission
Bernt Reitan Jenssen – Panellist
CEO, Ruter As
Brieuc de Meeûs – Speaker
CEO, STIB-MIVB
Bruno Lapeyrie – Panellist
Director, Centre of Expertise Energy Transition-Bus, Keolis
Celine Cluzel – Moderator
Partner, Element Energy Ltd (an ERM group company)
Claudius Jehle – Panellist
CEO, volytica diagnostics
Daniel Mes – Speaker
Member of Frans Timmermans' Cabinet and Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal, European Commission.
Daniel Zellinger – Panellist
Team Lead Bus Fleet Strategy, FlixBus
David Barnett – Moderator
General Manager - Engineering, Translink
David Yorke – Speaker
Market Development Manager, Ballard Power Systems Europe
Eamonn Mulholland – Speaker
Researcher, Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program, The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)
Elke Van Den Brandt – Speaker
Brussels' Minister of Mobility, 
Public Works and Road Safety
Flip Konings – Panellist
Policy Advisor Sustainability & Energy Transition, OV-bureau Groningen Drenthe
François Warnier de Wailly – Panellist
Director of the Bus 2025 Programme, RATP Group
Geert van Hecke – Panellist
Head of Sales Public Transport, Van Hool
Gerard Hellburg – Panellist
Programme Manager, Clean & Sustainable - Vervoerregio Amsterdam
Gerrit Spijksma – Panellist
CEO, Qbuzz
Ian Jennings – Panellist
Senior Specialist Urban Transport, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
Jaimie Levin – Speaker
Senior Managing Consultant, The Center of Transportation and the Environment (CTE)
Jan Deman – Speaker
Managing Director, Busworld Foundation
Jascha Lackner – Speaker
Bus Programme Manager, NOW GmbH
Josep-maria Armengol Villa – Panellist
Technical Director, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB)
Klaus Bonhoff – Panellist
Head of Department Policy Affairs, Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, Germany
Klaus Stolzenburg – Speaker
Managing Director, PLANET
Kristoffer Tamsons – Panellist
Vice-chairman of the Swedish Public Transport Association, Sweden
Lionel Boillot – Moderator
Project Officer, Clean Hydrogen JU
Lydia Peeters – Speaker
Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works
Markus Mildner – Panellist
CEO eMobility, Siemens Smart Infrastructure
Martin West – Panellist
Principal Engineer - Vehicles, TFL Engineering, Transport for London
Matthias Grossmann – Panellist
CEO Commercial Finance, Siemens Financial Services
Maximilian Lohrer – Speaker
Programme Manager Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (Commercial Vehicles), NOW GmbH
Michael Dolman – Speaker
Partner, Element Energy Ltd (an ERM group company)
Neil Valentine – Panellist
Head of Urban Mobility, European Investment Bank
Patrice Lovisa – Speaker
Area Manager, RATP Group
Philippe Vangeel – Speaker
Secretary General, AVERE
Raluca Marian – Moderator
Director, EU Advocacy & General Delegate, International Road Transport Union (IRU)
Redgy Deschacht – Speaker
President, Busworld Foundation
Richard Ferrer – Moderator
Head of Alternative Fuel Sector, CINEA
Richard Riley – Moderator
Senior Principal Consultant, Element Energy Ltd (an ERM Group company)
Roland Cordero – Speaker
Director of Maintenance and Vehicle Technology, Foothill Transit
Steve Carroll – Moderator
Head of Transport, CENEX
Steven Meersman – Panellist
Co-Founder and Director, Zenobe
Susanne Goldammer – Speaker
Managing Director, Linde Hydrodgen FuelTech GmbH
Timothy Griffen – Moderator
Project Officer, Zemo Partnership
Vanessa Roderer – Speaker
Sustainability Consultant Energy & Mobility, Sphera