February 3, 2004
www.brennstoffzelle-hessen.de
Hydrogen and fuel cells of Hessen

Fuel cells are generally considered to be a key technology for future energy supply structures. It is hoped that this technology will make a major contribution towards reducing fossil fuel consumption and contaminant emissions, particularly in vehicles and decentralised cogeneration units. In view of the great efforts currently being undertaken by science and the economy to develop and launch fuel cell systems, it is reasonable to expect decisive course adjustments over the next few years. One major challenge to exploiting the enormous market potential of fuel cells is the importance of achieving costs able to compete with established energy transformation systems such as the combustion engine or the gas turbine.
To enable the companies engaged in the scene to form networks and combine their particular competences, the Competence Atlas Fuel Cell Hessen was developed under the auspices of the Aktionslinie hessen-umwelttech and is now appearing in an updated version. This Atlas, which was prepared by the Institut für Solare Energieversorgungstechnik e.V. (ISET), shows that Hessen is in a particularly good position to help this technology cluster to become more firmly established. Many companies of major renown which have been working on fuel cells and system components or developing stationary or mobile systems are domiciled in Hessen. At the same time capacities are available at Hessen’s universities and research facilities. The information given in the Competence Atlas Fuel Cell Hessen is also to be found in the internet portals of Hessen’s hydrogen and fuel cell technology under www.brennstoffzelle-hessen.de and the virtual trade promotion platform for Hessen’s environmental technologies under www.hessen-expo.net/umwelttech.
The “Verein Wasserstoff- und Brennstoffzellen- Initiative Hessen”, set up in March 2003, now provides a focal point for the conception and implementation of joint projects aimed at making the best possible use of Hessen’s advantages as a location. In keeping with its articles of association, the Initiative works to promote and expand the competences possessed by corporations, business enterprises and scientific institutions in the areas of hydrogen plus related energy sources, and fuel cells together with other energy converters. These activities are focused mainly on Hessen, but extend also to other Federal States.

Weitere Informationen:
Alexander Bracht
Aktionslinie hessen-umwelttech
TechnologieStiftung Hessen GmbH
Abraham-Lincoln-Str. 38-42
65189 Wiesbaden
Tel.: 0611 / 774-614, Fax: -620
E-Mail: bracht@tsh-hessen.de
Internet: www.brennstoffzelle-hessen.de