Remarkable Results of the 10th International Forum on Clean Energy
The two-day 10th International Forum on Clean Energy and Oeiras Blue Technology Ocean Forum, which took place from October 16 to 17, 2024, successfully concluded at the scenic Forte São Julião da Barra in Oeiras, Portugal. Supported by the President’s Office of Portugal, the forum attracted over 200 political leaders, industry executives, academic experts, and government officials from countries including China, Portugal, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and others. The discussions focused on key issues such as technological innovation in clean energy and the sustainable development of the ocean economy. Through extensive exchanges, the forum led to several cooperation agreements and fostered significant international collaboration. Co-hosted by the International Forum for Clean Energy (IFCE Macau) and the Portuguese Ocean Forum (FO), the event further strengthened China-Portugal cooperation in the clean energy sector and provided a key platform for advancing the collaborative development of global clean energy and the blue economy.
The forum focused on the core issue of driving the global transformation of the ocean economy and clean energy, covering several key technological fields. Participants primarily discussed the development prospects of cutting-edge technologies such as floating offshore wind power, green hydrogen, marine clean fuels, blue technology, and artificial intelligence. Experts from different countries shared the latest research achievements in the field of clean energy and explored how technological innovation and international cooperation can promote the green transformation of the global energy structure. The Portuguese government attached great importance to this forum and received special support from Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. High-ranking government officials, including Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Miguel Pinto Luz, Secretary of State for the Environment Emídio Sousa, and Secretary of State for the Sea Lídia Bulcão, attended the event and shared Portugal’s strategic planning and policy measures in the fields of clean energy and the marine industry during their keynote speeches.
Technological Innovation: Floating Offshore Wind Power and Green Hydrogen Take Center Stage
One of the highlights of this forum was the in-depth discussions among participants on cutting-edge technologies such as floating offshore wind power, green hydrogen, and marine clean fuels. These technologies are seen as vital solutions for addressing global climate change and reducing carbon emissions, with broad application prospects.
Floating offshore wind power technology was one of the key topics of discussion. Participants delved into the role of artificial intelligence in optimizing wind farm layouts, enhancing operational efficiency, reducing costs, and enabling predictive maintenance. Representatives from China and Europe shared their practices and achievements in the field of floating wind power. The Chinese delegation highlighted the rapid expansion of offshore wind power capacity in recent years, particularly noting significant progress in floating wind power. Portuguese experts showcased the country’s leading position in floating wind technology, emphasizing the crucial role of artificial intelligence in optimizing wind farm management.
Eduardo Feio, President of the Port of Aveiro in Portugal, noted that Portugal, as a leading country in offshore wind technology, is accelerating the development of floating wind technology. Marcelo Felipe Alexandre, a representative from Brazil, emphasized the potential of floating wind power technology in the Latin American market. Zhang Pei from Dongfang Electric Group proposed that future offshore wind projects should foster the development of the entire industry chain through flexible grid connections and eco-compatible solutions. Marco Alves, CEO of WAVEC Ocean Renewable Energy, stated that floating wind power technology not only addresses the technical bottlenecks of wind energy development in deep-sea regions but also significantly improves energy conversion efficiency through intelligent management technologies. He called for enhanced international cooperation to scale up the application of this technology.
Hydrogen and marine clean fuels were also key topics at the forum. Experts discussed the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source, particularly its applications in shipping, industry, and renewable energy storage. Emídio Sousa, Secretary of State for the Environment of Portugal, highlighted the core role of hydrogen in the future clean energy transition and called on the international community to strengthen technological exchanges and establish standards to ensure the healthy development of the hydrogen industry.
Secretary Emídio Sousa
Vice GM Wang Jun
Academician Guan Xiaohong
Wang Jun, Vice General Manager of Dongfang Electric Corporation, emphasized the cooperation potential between China and Portugal in the fields of offshore wind power and hydrogen energy during his keynote speech. Academician Guan Xiaohong from the Chinese Academy of Sciences discussed the potential of hydrogen energy as a zero-carbon energy system, pointing out that it could completely transform the existing power and energy system structure. Mare Straetmans, CEO of Platform Zero in the Netherlands, noted that hydrogen energy is not an isolated technology but is closely linked to systems such as renewable energy, smart grids, and the decarbonization of shipping. Li Junlong, General Manager of Aerospace Hi-Tech, introduced breakthrough achievements in proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers and emphasized the critical role of hydrogen energy in energy decarbonization.
Ocean Economy: Blue Technology and Artificial Intelligence Empower Sustainable Ocean Development
In the fields of blue technology and artificial intelligence, the forum explored their broad application prospects in the ocean economy. The use of artificial intelligence in areas such as marine observation, maritime spatial planning, and bioeconomy is becoming increasingly prominent. These technologies can help countries more precisely manage marine resources and achieve sustainable ocean development. Miguel Pinto Luz, Minister of Infrastructure and Housing of Portugal, emphasized the importance of the ocean economy and technological innovation, particularly how artificial intelligence and digital technologies are driving transformation in the ocean sector.
Minister Miguel Pinto Luz
Secretary Lídia Bulcão
Lídia Bulcão, Secretary of State for the Sea of Portugal, highlighted the key role of technological innovation in driving a sustainable ocean economy during the closing ceremony. Fabrice Maire, President of the European Maritime Clusters Alliance, discussed how Europe, through cluster cooperation, has integrated maritime resources and technological capabilities from multiple countries to collectively address the global challenge of climate change. Kendra McDonald, CEO of the Canadian Ocean Supercluster, shared Canada's practices in advancing the application of marine artificial intelligence technologies, particularly its achievements in marine resource management and energy development. Claus, Policy Coordinator of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, introduced the EU's "Blue Invest" and "Digital Twin Ocean" projects, aimed at driving sustainable development in the ocean economy through technological innovation.
President Fabrice Maire
CEO Kendra McDonald
The technological innovation of green coatings also became one of the focal points of the forum. The discussions centered on the practical applications of new materials and smart coating technologies in reducing ship navigation resistance, lowering fuel consumption, and decreasing carbon emissions. Experts believe that green coatings not only promote environmental sustainability in the shipping industry but also provide new pathways for the sustainable development of other sectors.
International Cooperation: A Key to Driving the Global Clean Energy Transition
Another highlight of the forum was the signing of multiple cooperation agreements between participating companies and institutions. During the signing ceremony, a memorandum of understanding was signed between a Hong Kong-based virtual asset exchange and the Portuguese Ocean Forum, focused on the Blue Carbon project. The aim is to promote the standardization and internationalization of carbon credit trading, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance the value of ecosystem services. This collaboration marks a new phase in international clean energy and blue economy cooperation.
Carlos Costa Pina, Chairman of the Portuguese Ocean Forum, emphasized that the ocean is a vital component of the clean energy transition, and that Portugal, with its rich marine resources and advanced technologies, holds a unique advantage in this field. Blue technology is poised to be a significant driving force in the global clean energy and renewable energy development. Ruben Eiras, Secretary-General of the Portuguese Ocean Forum, highlighted that through international cooperation and innovation, Portugal has established a leading position in blue technology and the ocean economy and will continue to drive this strategic collaboration forward.
Chairman Carlos Costa Pina
Secretary-General Ruben Eiras
During the closing ceremony, Zhou Jie, Secretary-General of the International Forum for Clean Energy (IFCE Macau), emphasized the important role of the forum in promoting international cooperation in the fields of clean energy and blue technology. He specifically highlighted that Macau, as a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures and technologies, possesses unique geographical and policy advantages that can play a greater role in China-Portugal cooperation in areas such as hydrogen energy, offshore wind power, and the clean energy transformation of ports. Ambrose So, Chairman of the International Forum for Clean Energy (IFCE Macau), summarized the forum's achievements and announced that the 11th International Forum on Clean Energy will be held in both Hengqin, China and Macau from December 3-6, 2024, focusing on further collaboration and discussions around the innovation and application of clean energy technologies.
Chairman Ambrose So
Secretary-General Zhou Jie
Carlos Costa Pina, Chairman of the Portuguese Ocean Forum, also stated that Portugal will continue to promote the development of the blue economy and clean energy, strengthen interactions with global partners, and drive the implementation of more innovative projects.
The successful organization of this forum has not only brought new momentum to the global clean energy transition but also provided new opportunities for the sustainable development of the ocean economy. Through technological innovation and international cooperation, the green transformation of the global energy structure will be further advanced, injecting more vitality into future international collaborations.
