The EU Green Deal established a vision and a framework towards the goal of carbon neutrality for the bloc by 2050. This vision has since been applied in subsequent strategies pertaining to key areas, for example the Energy System Integration Strategy (2020) and the EU Hydrogen Strategy (2020). These two Communications envisage a prominent role in decarbonising the energy sector for the so-called “renewable and low carbon gases” or “clean molecules” (biogas, biomethane, hydrogen and synthetic methane).

Despite limited use of clean molecules to date, they are quickly attracting growing attention from policy makers and industry who see them as a potential sector coupling tool to balance energy grids as well as a means to decarbonise certain hard-to-abate sectors. As a result, the debate around clean molecules and their uptake in strategic areas has become an important EU policy and regulatory focus.

However, is the attention and excitement around clean molecules justified? How important are clean molecules for the achievement of carbon neutrality and in which areas? How are clean molecules different from each other and how are they different from fossil alternatives? What economic and regulatory barriers are stifling their market uptake and how can they be removed? Which technologies seem more promising and cost-efficient? We will explore all of these questions and more.

This intensive online training is expected to engage you for approximately 8 hours/week (excluding live classes).

The course comprises two preparatory weeks followed by one week of online sessions. From 10-23 June 2024, you will have access to our learning platform, allowing you to progress through the course materials, quizzes, and activities at your own pace.

During these self-paced weeks, you have the flexibility to manage your time according to your schedule, as there are no scheduled live classes, except for a one-hour welcome session.

The week of live sessions (24–30 June 2024) includes online classes and expert panels. Your active participation is required for a substantial portion of the day, spanning from 09:30 to 14.30 CET.

Week 1 & 2 (10-23 June 2024) | Preparatory weeks

• Welcome Class
  11 June 2024, 12:00-13:00 CEST

Week 3 (24-30 June 2024) | Live sessions

• Day 1 | Clean molecules in the EU
  Monday 24 June 2024 CEST

• Day 2 | Hydrogen
  Tuesday 25 June 2024 CEST

• Day 3 | Regulation and markets
  Wednesday 26 June 2024 CEST

• Day 4 | Externalities of a clean molecules economy
  Thursday 27 June 2024 CEST

• Day 5 | EU perspective and participant presentations
  Friday 28 June 2024 CEST

Each day of the live classes will be structured as follows:

•  9.00-9.15: Welcome and Orientation
• 9:15-10:15: Lecture 1
• 10.15-11.15: Lecture 2
• 11.15-11.30: Coffee break
• 11.30-12.30: Case study
• 12.30-13.30: Lunch break
• 13.30-14.30: Panel Debate

An updated program will be available soon; in the meantime, the one from the previous year is available for download as a general reference.

• The EU context and policy debate
• Definitions (taxonomy) of renewable and low-carbon gas
• Biogas and biomethane production processes
• Energy decarbonisation in non-EU countries
• Energy transition challenges
• Transporting renewable and low carbon gases
• Power-to-gas: technology and costs
• Pyrolysis: technology and costs
• CCS: how it works and pilot projects
• National hydrogen/ decarbonisation strategies
• The main regulatory barriers for clean molecules
• A dynamic approach to regulation
• Triggering development via the ETS
• Governance of the decarbonised gas sector
• Clean molecules and methane emissions
• How to design a circular economy
• Decarbonisation in LNG and storage

After completing this course, you’ll be able to:

• Identify how clean molecules are different from their fossil alternatives
• Describe the role of clean molecules in achieving EU long-term climate and energy objectives
• Analyse the impact of clean molecules on the environment
• Assess the market viability of clean molecules and propose strategies to enhance their adoption.
• Formulate arguments regarding the latest advancements in the sector, encompassing various gases and technologies.
• Assess the legal and regulatory challenges related to the uptake of clean molecules

Registration is open to all professionals (institutions, utilities, associations, academics and researchers) following the debate on decarbonisation of the energy system who are interested in having a deeper understanding of the future role of gas and its support to the energy transition.

No specific academic background is required. The language of instruction is English.

Each year, the Florence School of Regulation – Energy and Climate (FSR Energy & Climate) awards scholarships for a wide variety of training courses targeting a broad audience of professionals and academics.

Applications will be assessed by a Selection Committee of FSR members on a yearly basis. The successful candidates will be informed after February 2024 and will be provided with all relevant information on how to enroll in the online course or residential training of their choice.

Send your application by 28 January 2024.

Find more information here

• General fee: 1,870 EUR
• Students fee (with a certificate of current studies*): 440 EUR
• Associate donors fee (10%): 1,683 EUR
• Major donors fee (20%): 1,496 EUR
• Star donors fee (25%): 1,402 EUR

Cancellation policy 

Paid registration fee is non-refundable. However, registrant substitution may be made up to 20 days before the start date of the course. 

*Please kindly send your certificate of current studies with the stamp of your university to FSR secretariat (fsr.secretariat@eui.eu).
The start and end dates of your studies should also be clearly mentioned on the document. Please make sure that your period of studies fully covers the training course duration.