December
1999
HANNOVER
FAIR 2000 (20 to 25 March):
Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Joint exhibitions
now in two halls:
-Technology
at the Innovations Market: Research and Technology
(Hall 18)
-Products
and Services at the international trade fair for
the energy industry (Hall 8)
The
first steps in the transitional process from research
to the commercialisation of hydrogen and fuel
cells will be taken at the HANNOVER FAIR 2000
(Monday, 20 March to Saturday, 25 March). For
the first time, international exhibitors in two
halls will be demonstrating the potential of this
future energy carrier.
So far, 20 companies have confirmed their involvement
in the Innovations Market: Research + Technology
in Hall 18, and 13 companies will be presenting
their products and services under the auspices
of the now well-established Energy display category
in Hall 8. The involvement of DaimlerChrysler
AG project house for fuel cells, the XCELLSIS
GmbH, three US companies, two Belgian, one Swiss
and two exhibitors from The Netherlands all serve
to underline the international importance
of this area.
The generation of hydrogen from water by electrolysis
relies on renewable energy resources. The process
of converting hydrogen to electricity or heat
inside fuel cells is pollution-free. This opens
up opportunitiesfor using the energy of the sun,
wind and water in portable technology (laptops,
mobile phones, etc.), vehicles (cars, buses, forklifts,
utility vehicles etc.) and stationary equipment
(air conditioners, block-type thermal power stations
etc.). Actual power output ranges from a few
milliwatts (mW) right through to megawatts (MW),
where large-scale power stations are concerned.
Worldwide research into hydrogen and fuel cell
alternatives is not only being conducted by conventional
research institutes, but also by automobile and
petroleum companies, mainstream energy suppliers
and a fast-growing number of small to medium-sized
companies from all over the globe. Most of this
work takes place under the auspices of self-financed
research and development projects with budgets
in the multi-million US$ range. Only the German
State of Bavaria and the US are currently providing
any public funding in this area.
According
to ?Fuel Cells 2000? (Washington DC), there are
currently over 1,000 organisations involved worldwide
in the development and commercialisation of hydrogen
and fuel cells. These comprise approx. 400 research
institutes, 100 universities, some 250 fledgling
fuel cell companies, roughly 300 suppliers of
fuel cells and componentry, around 100 companies
involved in the sale and marketing of fuel cells,
about 40 government agencies (mainly in the USA)
and over 50 power stations across all capacity
levels which are already working with fuel cells
(some organisations involved in more than one
area).
For many years now, Deutsche Messe AG, along
with Arno A. Evers FAIR-PR from Starnberg, has
developed a pioneering reputation amongst trade
fair organisers involved in the international
energy technology market, for its commitment to
this globally and rapidly expanding sector. Since
1995, the HANNOVER FAIR - the world's largest
industrial trade fair - has been the only platform
for group pavilions wanting to present technological
advances in this field to a large international
trade audience. At the HANNOVER FAIR 2000, these
group stands devoted to hydrogen and fuel cell
technology will be making their sixth appearance
in as many years.
The Deutscher Wasserstoffverband e.V. (German
Hydrogen Association) in Berlin has been an annual
exhibitor at the group stand since its establishment
in 1997, while German company Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik
GmbH from Ottobrunn has supported the group project
ever since its inception in 1994. The World Fuel
Cell Council Inc, based in Frankfurt, is also
inviting its member organisations to attend the exciting
events planned for the HANNOVER FAIR 2000.
Parallel to the HANNOVER FAIR 2000, Deutsche
Messe AG will be running an international congress
(Energy Summit) on 22 March 2000, focusing on
the question: "Winding down nuclear energy - where
to begin"?. This will be extended on 23 March
2000 to include an international hydrogen day:
"First steps
towards a hydrogen industry - full steam ahead!"
For
more information, please contact:
Kristina
Irmler
Phone:
+49 5 11/89-3 10 18
Fax
+49 5 11/89-3 96 95
E-mail:
kristina.irmler@messe.de
You
can also access selected press releases in RTF
format and
photographs
on our Internet site:
http://www.presse.messe.de.
If you wish to receive any press releases as
file attachments, we would be happy to send these
to you by email.
Press-Release of Deutsche Messe AG
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