Meet our EGATEC Committee Members
Programme Committee
The Programme Committee defines the high-level objectives of EGATEC. The small group of selected MARCOGAZ, GERG, DGC, DVGW and Gasunie Members supports creating the focus topics and programme of the conference.
Chairman of the Programme Committee
Manuel Coxe
Secretary General, MARCOGAZ
Manuel Coxe
Secretary General, MARCOGAZ
"EGATEC will provide a great opportunity to the gas industry’s managers and experts and to interested professionals to exchange expertise on priority technical and research topics on conventional and renewable gases. The event will allow creating valuable network to help accelerating the decarbonization of the sector in Europe."
Manuel Coxe is the Secretary General of MARCOGAZ – The Technical Association of the European Gas Industry since 2020, where he guides the activities of the association in close collaboration with the Executive Board members and technical committees, while managing the Secretariat.
Manuel is currently serving as Vice-Chairman of the European Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking Stakeholders Group.
With more than 20 years of professional of experience in the energy sector, including competence in hydrogen, natural gas and power, Manuel has held different management and technical positions before joining MARCOGAZ. Previously, Manuel was Head of Unit at IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency), Secretary General of Europex (European power exchanges), Secretary General a.i. at European electricity TSOs (currently named ENTSOE), grid operator at the Portuguese electricity and gas TSO and academic researcher on power electronics and motion control, spanning various countries, including Portugal, Germany, United Arab Emirates and Belgium.
Manuel`s expertise and interests range from system operation and management for electricity and gas networks (including hydrogen, biomethane and natural gas) to energy policy and energy markets.
His education background includes energy systems engineering (MEng.) from the University of Lisbon, business administration (MBA) from the University of Durham Business School and economics (PhD Program) from the Université de Bruxelles. In addition, he pursued executive education in management law from the University of Harvard Law School, communications from the Ivey Business School of University of Western Ontario, and psychology from the University of Oxford.
Frank Gröschl
Head of Technology and Innovation Management, German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water (DVGW)
Frank Gröschl
Head of Technology and Innovation Management, German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water (DVGW)
Frank Gröschl is with DVGW Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches, the GermanTechnical-Scientifical Association on Gas and Water with 3000 member companies, locatedin Bonn, Germany. He has 30 years experience in the energy business. Since 2010 he is Headof Technology and Innovation Management, responsible for the strategic and operative management of the DVGW research program. DVGW promotes gas and energy innovation ina growing renewable and climate neutral energy supply system. To integrate Hydrogen inGermany ́s energy system is a focal point in the actual research and development work ofDVGW.
Frank Gröschl helds two degrees, one in energy engineering and another in economics.
Dr Robert Judd
Secretary General, GERG
Dr Robert Judd
Secretary General, GERG
"The EGATEC Conference, as well as demonstrating the progress made by our industry in rising to the demands of technology and innovation in an era of constant change, is a great showcase for cooperation. Marcogaz and GERG have been strong partners for many decades, and this conference always illustrates how this close cooperation can bear fruit. Marcogaz and GERG occupy subtly but importantly different spaces in the value chain of European Associations. EGATEC allows us to show to our members and the wider community how this synergistic relationship supports the needs of an industry transitioning to a low carbon future."
Over a 30-year career Robert has worked on a diverse portfolio of gas and energy projects, with focus on innovation and driving solutions to emerging industry challenges. Robert worked for over 20 years in the technology arm of the UK gas industry and has managed technical teams and projects in the UK, Europe and worldwide, including extensive experience in Asia. As Secretary General of European Gas Research Group, he manages an Association of 30 major European companies and research organisations, realigning strategic research priorities with Europe’s clean energy agenda while building relationships with stakeholders and policy makers at all levels.
He is leading a number of technical and regulatory initiatives at European level including Roadmap lead (Gas Networks) for Hydrogen Europe’s Strategic Innovation Agenda, convening a European Taskforce on Hydrogen standardisation (CEN /EC) and is managing flagship European Commission projects on hydrogen and biomethane on behalf of GERG. Robert has published extensively on a range of energy technology issues, and has been invited to present a European perspective in several recent international fora.
Robert also recently chaired the Singapore Gas Markets Advisory Panel for their energy regulator (EMA), is a member of the Singapore International Advisory Panel on Energy, and served on EMA’s Gas research expert panel.
Robert has BSc and PhD degrees from London University in Physical Chemistry, worked for 5 years as on Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Cambridge University Chemical Laboratories and is a Chartered Chemical Engineer.
Alexandra Kostereva
Consultant, GERG
Alexandra Kostereva
Consultant, GERG
"Today, all professionals in the energy and gas sector are working in a fast-moving environment and setting themselves ambitious objectives to make our energy system cleaner and more efficient. Communication between R&D, technology providers, standardisation experts, decision makers, etc. is essential to reach those objectives; EGATEC provides this opportunity for meeting experts of the sector and sharing the most recent advances and innovations. We are also very excited to support the voice of the next generation of researchers through this platform, with the organisation of the GERG Young Researchers’ Awards."
Alexandra joined the European Gas Research Group team in 2019, and has since been actively involved in all research activities of the Group, on hydrogen, LNG, biomethane, and methane emissions topics. She has participated in project management and communication strategy implementation for several European-funded projects. In 2020, Alexandra expanded her knowledge of the European Energy system by completing a Blue Book internship at the Directorate General for Energy of the European Commission, working on the European Methane Emissions Strategy. She is passionate about innovative solutions for clean Energy, youth participation to strategy debates, and access to science education.
Alexandra has an Engineering (Master’s level) degree from the French Grande Ecole Centrale Lille, with a specialisation in Energy, and a Master’s degree in Economics of Energy from Université Paris-Saclay.
Torben Kvist
VP Projects, Danish Gas Technology Centre (DGC)
Torben Kvist
VP Projects, Danish Gas Technology Centre (DGC)
Torben Kvist has 25 years of experience in the energy business of which the latest 18 has been in the gas industry as a part of the Danish Gas Technology Centre. During the time in the gas business he has worked with R&D projects within combined heat and power, hydrogen and various aspect of biomethane.
Leen Pronk
Gasunie
Leen Pronk
Gasunie
"The energy transition will have profound effects on our energy system. We can be sure however, that the demand for energy will remain high for at least a number of decades to come. We see new energy carriers and CO2 value chains emerging and existing technologies expand or alter, connect and integrate even. During EGATEC, we are excited to bring together all kinds of experts on the specific topics within this landscape. It will be a great opportunity to expand our professional network and join forces to bring technology even further!"
With more than 40 years of experience working in gas infrastructure, Leen has accumulated extensive expertise in asset management and environmental policies.
After having completed his studies in electrical engineering, he worked a short period on developing gas fired engines, afterwards joining gas infrastructure company Gasunie in 1984. He had several positions in operations and engineering as well as in asset management, including managing the department responsible for the policy and strategy for several years. The last couple of years he has been focusing on the asset related footprint of Gasunie’s assets, balancing the footprint strategy with asset management principles.
Leen chairs the working group transmission pipelines within Marcogaz and is a member of the GERG board.
Poster Selection Committee
The small group of selected MARCOGAZ and GERG and members evaluates and comments on the poster submissions.
Chairman of the Poster Selection Committee
Dr Murès Zarea
President, GERG
Dr Murès Zarea
President, GERG
"EGATEC has always been a great place to liaise with a wide industry cross-section bringing together several complementary communities: Research & Innovation, technology providers, technical and operational decision makers, etc. Today the gas industry faces more demanding challenges than ever, to adapt the industry towards sustainable contributions to the net zero energy transition. Marcogaz and GERG continue to contribute the technical and scientific perspectives in this increasingly urgent structural evolution. This calls for a highly collaborative approach to accelerate technology market penetration and disseminate corresponding lessons learned throughout the industry and other stakeholders. EGATEC is a critical forum to discuss today all the practical ways for the gas industry to contribute to the energy transition."
During his 30+ years of experience in the gas and energy industry, Murès has contributed from the R&D and innovation side to a large panel of research areas: gas flow, industrial safety, pipeline integrity & inspection, resistance to external interference and natural forces, gas migration in soils, digital platforms for the gas industry, emerging technologies like drones, methane emissions, etc.
These diverse topics were progressed by managing projects and fostering collaboration, in many cases at the international level. Murès continues to hold many leading positions in national & international R&D industry associations and commissions: GERG (European Gas Research Group), EPRG (European Pipeline Research Group), PRCI (Pipeline Research Council Intl.), EASE (EU Association for the Storage of Energy), Scientific Advisory of INERIS (French Research Institute on Industrial Safety). He has participated in many collaborative projects with EU & other public co-funding: IntegRisk, Defender, etc., and lectured in several universities.
Murès holds an Engineering, Master’s and PhD Degrees from Ecole Centrale de Paris / CentraleSupelec (FR).
Prof. Horst Steinmüller
Chairman Scientific Advisory Board, ERIG
Prof. Horst Steinmüller
Chairman Scientific Advisory Board, ERIG
„Austria as a central energy storage region, hub in energy transport and an important location for renewable energy sources, is perfectly suited to demonstrate an Austrian energy flagship region that illustrates the conversion of the system to renewable hydrogen in a highly networked manner.“
Studies of Technical Chemistry at the Graz University of Technology, Dissertation at the Institute of Biotechnology of the TU Graz.
Dr. Horst Steinmüller was employed at Voest-Alpine industrial plant engineering as project engineer and later as head of Department Biomass Utilization.
At the Austrian Association for Agricultural Research (ÖVAF), he was responsible as managing director for several studies and projects in the field of environmental protection, research, development and sustainability.
In addition, he taught as a lecturer at Johannes Kepler University in Linz and at University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria.
From 2001 to 2020 Horst Steinmüller was CEO at the Energy Institute of the JKU Linz, which deals with about 80 R&D projects annually, with the task of further developing an energy system that positively influences economic and environmental areas, strengthens the European economies and reduces fossil fuels.
He is also chairman of the scientific advisory board of ERIG and Austrian representative at IEA TCP Hydrogen and Mission Hydrogen.
Horst Steinmüller is Managing Director of WIVA P&G. In his function, he ensures the optimal framework conditions for the flagship region WIVA P&G and its members.
Dr Frank Graf
Co-Chair of Standing Committee and Board Member, MARCOGAZ
Dr Frank Graf
Co-Chair of Standing Committee and Board Member, MARCOGAZ
"EGATEC is the most important technology driven gas conference in Europe dedicated to research and development, innovation and communication in the European gas industry."
Frank Graf graduated in 2001 from the Technical University of Karlsruhe in Process Engineering and received his PhD from the Technical University of Karlsruhe in 2007.
Since 2005 he is employed at DVGW-EBI: 2005 - 2010 he headed the department Gas Technology Consulting.
Since 2010 he is responsible for the division Gas Technology. Besides, he is head of the group “Physical-chemical fuel processing technologies” at Engler-Bunte-Institute, KIT. His current R&D work at KIT and DVGW focus on the production and utilization of gases from renewable sources. Important research activities in this field are biogas production and upgrading as well as PtG technologies.
Furthermore, he is expert for gas transport and distribution topics like gas quality aspects, injection of renewable gases, odorisation.
He is member of various national and international research and standardization committees.
Michel Hardy
Transmission System Operator GRTgaz and Vice President GERG
Michel Hardy
Transmission System Operator GRTgaz and Vice President GERG
Michel Hardy, 45, works in the field of R&D for gas infrastructure over 20 years. He was involved in many international projects, in Europe and North America. He is now head of innovation and strategic department within RICE, the R&D center for gas infrastucture in France. He is responsible for the R&D program of the french TSO GRTgaz, and also VP within GERG, the Gas European Research Group.
Hans Rasmusson
Secretary General, ERIG
Hans Rasmusson
Secretary General, ERIG
„ERIG is an association based on research with the aim to advance a sustainable, climate neutral Europe with gas innovation. We are proud to be part of EGATEC that offers the opportunity to share forefront knowledge and experiences and to work together to achieve this"
Hans Rasmusson is Secretary General of ERIG - European Research Institute of Gas and Energy Innovation.
He has led the organization from an informal network to a registered international non-profit association based in Brussels. It has the objective to guide gas in the transition towards a future renewable based energy system by cooperation in research and innovation in the field of sustainable and innovative gas technologies and the use of gas in combination with renewable energies.
Hans Rasmusson holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering (2004) from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, including a two-year scholarship specializing in Integrated Product Development at KIT in Karlsruhe, Germany.
Since then, he has always been dedicated to innovation, gas and energy, starting his career with founding and operating his own business in Germany. In 2010 Hans Rasmusson joined DVGW, the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water, where he is now Managing Head for Project Portfolio Management/ERIG within the department of Technology and Innovation Management. He is Secretary General of ERIG since its foundation in 2019.