The Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies at VSB-TUO (CEET) became the co-organiser of the inaugural GSFA Closed-Door Expert Meeting on Green Fuel Technology and Regulation. The event was hosted in Brussels by the Global Sustainable Fuel Alliance (GSFA) alongside other partners as part of European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW). The central theme of the event was "Green Fuels and Realising Euro-Asian Cooperation in Hydrogen: Unlocking Decarbonisation Strategies for the Semiconductor Industry and Artificial Intelligence."
The Summit was officially opened by Jakub Skalník, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Belgium; Jhy-Wey Shieh, Representative of the Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium; Stefan Mengel, Head of the Research, Technology and Space Unit at the Permanent Representation of Germany to the EU; and Fumiaki Ebihara, Director General of the European Office of Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
The event successfully brought together 30 leading hydrogen experts from government institutions, industry, and academia across 15 countries, including the Czech Republic, Belgium, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, Bulgaria, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, and the USA.
Showcasing Czech Research on a Global Stage
A key highlight of the programme was an expert presentation by Ján Vereš from the CEET Energy Research Centre, who showcased the latest findings of Czech research into the implementation of hydrogen technologies and their role in energy transformation. In his address, he emphasised the potential of European technologies in building international energy supply chains and presented concrete examples of CEET's collaboration with the leading Taiwanese company CHEM on deploying green fuel technologies.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to share insights from the research and innovation activities at the Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies at VSB-TUO. The strong involvement of experts from 15 countries confirmed the growing importance of international collaboration in advancing hydrogen technologies and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. I would like to thank the Global Sustainable Fuel Alliance and all partners for an inspiring discussion," said Ján Vereš..jpeg?attachmentId=5648&image=true)
Representatives from renowned institutions, such as Fraunhofer UMSICHT (Germany), Energy Systems Catapult (UK), and RJRMC (Malaysia), also participated in the technical session discussions.
Sustainable E-Methanol as a Global Cross-Border Energy Carrier
One of the central topics of the meeting was the role of sustainable e-methanol as an international energy carrier. Experts agreed that besides its use in transport, industry, or heating, e-methanol offers an efficient way to store surplus renewable energy and transport it over long distances using existing infrastructure.
Through the Power-to-X-to-Power (P2X2P) concept, renewable electricity can be converted into synthetic fuel, stored across seasons, and subsequently used again to generate zero-emission electricity. This approach can significantly enhance energy security and power grid flexibility, particularly in light of the rising energy demands of data centres and semiconductor manufacturing.
Hydrogen and Green Fuels for a Stable Energy Future
Summit participants emphasised that linking hydrogen technologies, green fuels, power grids, and battery storage will allow for the effective resolution of challenges associated with the variable nature of renewable energy generation. Long-term energy storage and its distribution via green fuels can contribute to greater resilience in energy systems and ensure an uninterrupted supply of zero-emission energy.
The particular attention was paid to using hydrogen fuel cells and e-methanol as backup power sources for data centres, semiconductor fabrication plants, and industrial microgrids, where power supply stability is a critical factor.
Strengthening Euro-Asian Cooperation
A significant part of the meeting focused on the harmonisation of policies, certifications, and standards for international trade in green fuels. Experts explored options for aligning European regulatory frameworks, including the RED III directive, with the requirements of the RE100 and SBTi initiatives.
Summit participants agreed that achieving deep decarbonisation in the technology sector will not be possible using local energy sources alone. Green fuels can act as a global energy bridge between regions with high renewable energy generation potential and areas with a high demand for clean electricity, notably East Asian hubs for semiconductor manufacturing and AI technologies.
The Global Sustainable Fuel Alliance (GSFA), officially established as a non-profit organisation in 2025, brings together government agencies, leading research institutions, and industry leaders from across the globe. The alliance is dedicated to transnational policy coordination, technological development, certification standards, and practical implementation to build a comprehensive foundation for a global green fuel economy and support its full commercial viability.
The meeting in Brussels confirmed the growing importance of international cooperation in hydrogen technologies, while demonstrating that the Czech research conducted at CEET is a highly respected part of the global dialogue on the future of zero-emission energy.