Energy Summit 2002

Part III: Decentralized energy systems -
a revolution in the energy market?

13:00 - 15:30
Realization:
Commercialization of Hydrogen Technology and Fuel Cells

Visions become reality
Fuel cells are among the key technologies of this new century. By harnessing the power of fuel cells and exploiting hydrogen on a commercial scale, our industrial society in general and energy providers in particular stand to reap benefits of global proportion. For countries whose infrastructure is still in the process of development, hydrogen technology provides the ideal means for achieving a climate-friendly energy policy. More than one thousand companies and organizations worldwide are working towards the commercialization of this rapidly expanding technological sector.

Market launch is imminent. An international line-up of experts discussed how hydrogen can best be commercialized as a fuel source. With market launches just around the corner, it will soon be necessary to move from the trial stage into full-scale production. There is a need for marketable solutions which demonstrate the superiority of fuel cells in stationary, mobile and portable applications.

Speakers:

Prof. T. Nejat Veziroglu President, International Association for Hydrogen Energy Director, Clean Energy Research Institute University of Miami, FL, USA
"Energy production is directly related to per capita income, and the gap is growing with industrialized countries now at $25,000 vs. $2,500-$3,000 per capita of a developing country. Hydrogen would assist in minimizing this gap. Once a person buys a hydrogen car, they will never purchase a internal combustion vehicle again. By 2015, synthetic fuel will be a requirement."
David Haberman Member of the Federal Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel, Washington, DC, USA
"The US Government has included hydrogen and fuel cell initiatives as an important technology development. A lot is happening now in hydrogen technologies. There are projects in research and development, demonstration and transportation (Freedom Car), which will be funded this year. The Hydrogen Futures Act will be reauthorized by Congress soon providing five more years of support. There are many niche markets which will allow early adaption of fuel cells. There are hydrogen fuel cell energy products currently available from the growing industrial base. In the last three years we have seen Wall Street began to show confidence in the potential of the hydrogen vision. US Government believes hydrogen will be an important part of the future national energy portifolio. Besides the environmental and energy efficiency benefits there is now additional importance placed upon the energy security potential of hydrogen."
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Angelika Heinzel Univ.-Prof. Gerhard-Mercator-University Duisburg Duisburg, Germany
"Niche applications appear to be the leading application in the race to commercialization, followed by portables, as consumers are willing to pay the lithium ion prices for batteries. This is one of the reasons why Fraunhofer has focused its concentration on portable applications."
David L. Peet Director DuPont Fuel Cell Enterprise Wilmington, DE, USA
"In the next 36 months, the best opportunities exist in addressing the operating life, and reliability issues of fuel cell technology. The key year of 2005 will be one of broader expansion for applications in residential and small commercial products. Fossil fuels won't be replaced, but an alternative reliable energy source will provide a robust economy that will make a foothole across all major opportunities."
Present by Teleconference from Carlsbad, CA, USA John R. Wallace Executive Director Th!nk Mobility, LLC Carlsbad, CA, USA
"Internal combustion engines have up to 75% efficiency improvements anticipated in the near future. It will not be easy to defeat this century old champion of energy. In the long run, renewable energies will be the pathway for continued mobility and security of reliable energy, and to a lesser degree, the environmental issues."
Manfred Stefener CEO Smart Fuel Cell GmbH Munich, Germany
"Between 2003-2004, consumer and professional electronics will be available with fuel cell technology. Consumer electronics has the greatest commercial potential in this marketplace. We use methanol in lieu of pure hydrogen due to the high storage density of low volumes for long running times. A laptop could run on not much more than a wine glass of methanol for ten hours, and has a high degree of reliability."
Moderator:	Ulrich Walter Arno A. Evers FAIR-PR Starnberg, Germany

16:00 - 18:00
Guided tours of the trade fair "Energy" and discussions with exhibitors of Group Exhibit Hydrogen + Fuel Cells

18:00
Evening Reception at Group Exhibit Hydrogen + Fuel Cells

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