A look back at the 2009 AEGPL Congress
Held in Vienna from 13-15 May, this year’s AEGPL Congress was a great success, thanks to the active and valuable contribution of the hundreds of participants and visitors of. This exceptional event provided an ideal forum for vibrant debate and discussion of LPG and its role in the European energy mix.
The theme of this year’s Congress, “LPG, energy for challenging times” was particularly meaningful and appropriate. 2009 will be remembered as a time of global financial crisis and an economic recession of dramatic proportions. At the same time, the energy and environmental challenges that Europe is facing remain a key priority, more urgent than ever before.
Far from being downtrodden or depressed by this context, the European LPG industry demonstrated during this Congress, with determination and dynamism, its ambition to be part of the solution to ensure a secure, sustainable and efficient European energy mix.
Challenges always create opportunities. LPG, as a clean, low carbon and immediately available energy is more appealing than ever to public authorities, policy makers and the public at large.
Over the course of the Workshop and the various sessions of the Conference, LPG’s potential contribution to helping meeting the energy needs of Europe and the rest of the world was explored, demonstrated and confirmed.
The Workshop provided delegates with a broad overview review of the new LPG applications and developments which should ensure cost-effective solutions and sustainable growth for the LPG industry.
The first session of the Conference examined the place of LPG within the new energy context. Experts from the International Energy Agency, Purvin and Guertz and Argus provided a comprehensive overview of the evolution of supply and demand prospects for oil, natural gas and LPG itself, both at global and European level with a specific focus on Central Europe. The expectation of a rapid and substantial supply increase was confirmed, and a significant supply surplus was forecasted. Against this background, development perspectives and market opportunities for the LPG energy were identified and analysed, highlighting an ambitious vision for the industry as it moves forward.
Session 2 was focused on the European Union, its specific energy profile, its evolving objectives and policies and their practical implications for the LPG industry.
Reflecting the important influence for our sector of the EU on national legislation and the everyday life of every European citizen, including LPG consumers, the need to enhance the profile and the image of LPG energy and its industry was strongly highlighted with a call for concrete action from the sector. It was also clearly demonstrated that the future has never been brighter for LPG which enjoys an increased competitiveness versus the other energies when top consumer trends confirm a strong move towards environment-firendliness, health and overall sustainability.
The third session of the conference highlighted the competitive nature of the EU lobbying arena, especially in the field of energy policy. It was confirmed that strong national and EU-level advocacy is required to ensure a successful LPG interest representation in this context. This session saw the release of two new scientific reviews aiming to provide policy makers with summaries of the benefits of LPG as regards its Carbon Footprint and its impact on Local Air Quality. These two studies provide robust scientific evidence of LPG’s advantages over most competing fuels in these two crucial domains. This session also confirmed that a common vision, supported by a clear and univocal positioning, is essential for the communication of the LPG industry towards policy-makers, opinion leaders and the public. The re-brandning of LPG as “exceptional energy” is a very strong and attractive asset which will enhance and strengthen the communication of the industry in Europe.
Innovation and market opportunities were the purpose of the final session.
The presentation of the Autogas Roadmap showed the vision for the European industry forward in the Automotive sector.Towards a 10% share in 2020 is the ambitious and feasible goal set by the sector. Given a strong commitment on the part of the industry and the implementation of an appropriate regulatory framework, Autogas could satisfy as much as 10% of Europe’s passenger car fuel needs by 2020, avoiding several hundred million tonnes of CO2 emissions and reducing level and concentration of a series of harmful pollutants in the air. The presentations that followed confirmed this orientation for the future of Autogas in Europe with a valuable market experience in public transport in Vienna and some promising developments in several European countries.
This session also highlighted the reactivity and the adaptability of the LPG sector when it endeavours to address new environmental and economic challenges with sustainable and cost-effective innovative solutions and initiatives.
The Conference was also accompanied by an extensive exhibition that allowed Europe’s manufacturers and distributors of LPG equipment and services to display their products and present their latest developments and innovations.
In a context of challenging times, the 2009 AEGPL Congress in Vienna was a clear demonstration that LPG has an increasing meaningful role to play in the new energy context.
The LPG industry showed a determined optimism and appeared to be fully prepared to exploit the numerous opportunities that are offered to LPG.
Exceptional times need an “exceptional energy”. The vision and the ambition demonstrated by the European industry and its European Association, AEGPL, confirmed that the way forward is clear. The sector is more committed than ever to ensuring that LPG is part of the solution.
Planning for next year’s event is already well underway and, as always, the goal is to make it the best Congress ever. It will be a joint congress with the World LP Gas Forum, two annual events into one exceptional LPG Conference and Exhibition, a unique event not to be missed!
Look forward to seeing you in Madrid, 29th September – 1st October 2010.
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