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Haberman Remarks To The Hannover
Fair
The Hydrogen Energy Age is underway with
broad support from the political, environmental and
most importantly the industrial sectors. Hydrogen holds
the promise of clean abundant fuel generated and used
locally to apply the economic benefits of energy consumption
to the consumer's community. Technology advancements,
which began with the space age, have evolved into commercialization
successes by entrepreneurs throughout the energy chain.
The promise of reducing the burdens of importing fossil
fuel and the resultant pollution from its use has caused
excitement on both a national and international basis.
Wall street has bought into the potential impacts of
the emerging hydrogen economy and provided equity financing
to a broad array of technology that enables the hydrogen
energy chain. Fuel cells, devices that generate electricity
from hydrogen without emissions are the core engine
that will be deployed across a broad spectrum of applications
serving stationary, transportation and portable power
requirements. Currently the US Hydrogen Futures Act
is the US Congressional authorization of funds to support
R&D and demonstrations of hydrogen energy systems.
The American National Energy Plan of the Bush Administration
recognizes the importance of hydrogen to the nation's
growth, environment and security. Several countries,
particularly Japan, Canada, Norway and Germany, have
strong programs, which include public-private partnerships,
which leverage resources, including joint funding. The
International Energy Agency has a Hydrogen Implementing
Agreement, which includes twelve nations that cooperate
on hydrogen energy technology. The IEA is adding new
members this year from Eastern Europe. This year the
Hannover Fair is exhibiting over one hundred organizations,
which are participating in this world changing industry.
Public investment, market equity financing and a growing
population of customers signal the viability of this
industry. The 21st century is the hydrogen energy era.
The use of hydrogen energy will effect many of the industries
seen here at the fair and will impact the citizens of
many nations.
Mr. Haberman is a member of the
US National Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel and advises
the Secretary of Energy on his conduct of hydrogen energy
programs. He also advises US Congress on energy policy
and oversight. He may be reached at IFDHLLC@aol.com.
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