The Round Table

The Round Table is a new feature to our Forum Programme, dealing with different issues concerning commercialisation of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells. On stage everyday at 1:00 p.m, leaders from different industrial sectors exchange new approaches/ideas relative to the topic at hand. Facilitated by our moderator, these discussions will be interactive, including audience participation.

Wednesday, April 09: Automotive Fuel Cells

Dr. Lars Peter Thiesen, Manager Communications
Adam Opel AG, Germany
GM Fuel Cell Activities is pursuing two parallel approaches:
(1) Integration of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems into existing platforms like the HydroGen3.
(2) Development of totally new vehicle concepts like AUTOnomy and Hy-wire.
GM regards Hydrogen as the fuel of the future to be used directly on-board the vehicle.
As a result of the well-to-wheel study that GM conducted together with major energy companies, Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicles offer the biggest potential in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Peter Hoffmann, Editor and Publisher of the
Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Letter, USA
With all the euphoria and interest in Fuel Cells for transportation, there are indications that Hydrogen internal combustion engines, as hybrids running on Hydrogen, may be faster to bring to market. Fuel Cell cars will not be available commercially for 10 to 12 years, but H2 combustion engine-vehicles could be ready much, much sooner.

Phil Snaith, President
HydrogenSource LLC , South Windsor, CT, USA
Hydrogen Source has developed and proven prototype technology for onboard reforming of pump-grade gasoline and will be adapting its 150kW fuel processor platform for Hydrogen refuelling applications. There is considerable uncertainty over how to provide the Hydrogen for Fuel Cell vehicles (storage, transportation, driving range and cost trade-off). HydrogenSource believes that both approaches should continue to be developed but on an industry/government partnership basis.
HydrogenSource is well-placed to apply its current expertise and technology platforms and concepts for future enhancements to solve the dilemma of how best to provide Hydrogen for automotive applications. We are developing technology for fuel-flexible onboard Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) for both passenger and commercial goods vehicles. This is more likely to be the early application for onboard reforming and a basis for essential on-vehicle learning.

Heinz Krosch, Manager Alternative Powertrains - Ford Research Center
Ford Motor Company, USA
Hydrogen is an energy source in medium/long term future for individual mobility. In medium term we will see H2 ICE powered vehicles; in medium/long term the Fuel Cell vehicles will be dominant, while getting more energy efficient

Gerald Hornburg
Ballard Power Systems Inc. , Germany
Ballard Power Systems has a long history in developing Fuel Cells for mobile, stationary, and portable applications.

Ballard Power Systems is currently launching its latest automotive Fuel Cell system Xcellsisä HY-80 which has been designed according to automotiv requirements. These Fuel Cell systems are getting installed in customer vehicles at Ford Motor Company and DaimlerChrysler for field testing.