The Hydrogen & Fuel Cells 2007 Conference

Global Energy Solutions

Summary and Highlights of Conference by FuelCellCarNews.com & InvestorIdeas.com
May 08, 2007

According to Energy Business Reports-"The global fuel cell industry is expected to generate more than $18.6 billion in 2013. Fuel cell sales will come from three main market applications: automotive, stationary, and portables. Projected sales could generate nearly $35 billion if market conditions improved for automotive fuel cells."

The recent Hydrogen and Fuel Cells 2007 Conference (http://www.hfc2007.com) held in Vancouver April 29-May 2 at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre showcased Canada's and B.C.'s role in the global research and execution of fuel cell technology. We were told that B.C. is currently home to 70% of the people working in the sector in Canada.

From the Exhibition Hall to the sessions throughout the conference we were impressed with the diverse range of fuel cell technology development from automotive to solid oxide fuel cells for power generation from Canadian and global presenters.

Automotive Fuel Cell Markets and Technology were presented by Bill Reinert, National Manager TMS Advanced Technologies Group, Toyota Motor Company and Dr. Christine Sloane, Global Leader and Director of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Codes and Standards, General Motors Corp. Bill Reinert showed us the roads of the future - "where by 2020 we will need 125 million barrels of oil per day to fuel our cars and by 2040 based the current growth there will be 2- 3 billion cars on the road, up from current numbers of 1 billion, creating environmental problems 4-5 times of what they are today". Dr. Christine Sloane stated that "we will need 70% more energy 30 years from now". GM is addressing the problem with a wide range of environmental automotive solutions from E85 Vehicles to plug in hybrids to fuel cell cars.

Attendees were offered the opportunity to drive a fuel cell car on site as well as take a first hand look at the Master Flex fuel cell Cargo bike from Germany. The fuel cell bike has a maximum speed of 25Km per hour and does not need a Drivers License in Germany.

The primary message was that there will be a transition period in the automotive industry as it undergoes massive change comparable to its beginnings. Fuel cell automotive technology is a possible solution if the costs can be reduced. The three best environmental solutions presented were electric cars, cellulose ethanol and fuel cells. In that light, global presentations on Hydrogen fueling stations and Hydrogen Highways were presented as a pathway to a greener future. Premiere Gordon Campbell announced that B.C is committed to 20 Fuel Cell Buses on the road for the 2010 Olympics. The fuel cell buses will travel from Whistler to Vancouver to Victoria.

Some of the public companies at the conference demonstrating and presenting technology included - Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP), Dynetek Industries Ltd. (TSX:DNK), Power Air Corporation (OTCBB: PWAC), Hydrogenics Corporation (TSX:HYG; NASDAQ:HYGS) and QuestAir Technologies Inc. Inc. (AIM: QAR; TSX: QAR)

Power generation solutions were presented with solid oxide fuel cell technology, including a presentation from Enbridge, using FuelCell Energy Inc. (FCEL) technology to create low carbon electricity

Tours at the conference included seeing a Ballard and Ford fuel cell car first hand at NRC, as well as a hydrogen fuelling station. We heard about innovative technology and research in progress at both UBC and NRC and insight into the future of energy.

National Research Council (NRC) is the Government of Canada's premier research and development organization, operating world-class research facilities and innovation support networks from coast to coast. In partnership with industry, universities and government, NRC has established the NRC Fuel Cell Program, a national initiative to foster the emergence of a viable, knowledge-based and sustainable fuel cell industry in Canada. This initiative is part of the Government of Canada's commitment to strengthen research and development in this critical sector. The Program mobilizes fuel cell expertise and research strength from a network of NRC research institutes across Canada. Participating Institutes work closely with regional R&D providers, universities, government agencies and local industry to support the development of regional fuel cell clusters. www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/randd/areas/fuelcells_e.html

Clean Energy Research Center UBC

CERC http://www.cerc.ubc.ca/ provides state-of-the-art research facilities for the exploration of clean energy technology. Many of these facilities are unique in Canada, and provide the capacity to conduct world-class research for the benefit of all mankind.

At CERC the goal is to promote and explore the use of sustainable energy sources through scientific discovery and engineering development of a wide range of clean energy technologies. Some current research projects include:

• Clean burning engines
• Catalytic NOx reduction
• High temperature materials
• Energy loss from fouling and coking
• Fuel cell systems development
• New hydrogen production methods
• New fuels from biological processes
• Renewable energy
• Natural gas hydrate technology
• Process emission reduction

Dr. Robert Evans (Director) was the final meeting for us at the end of the Conference where he gave us an educational tour of the UBC Clean Energy Research Centre and also discussed his newly published book “Fueling Our Future: An Introduction to Sustainable Energy”. He looks at the complete cycle of energy and the overall cost from beginning to end. He discussed his position that the future of cars will be electric cars, managing the power generation source.

His book is available on Amazon http://www.amazon.ca/Fueling-Our-Future-Introduction-Sustainable/dp/052168448X/ref=sr_1_3/702-7506507-1472821?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178586384&sr=1-33

Dawn Van Zant, InvestorIdeas.com, Fuelcellcarnews.com

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