Fuel cells: Talk becoming action

Discussion of alternative energy and global warming has turned into applications, many shown at this year’s Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition.

By Allison Manning, Associate Editor -- Modern Materials Handling, 10/21/2008

The two presidential candidates have discussed alternative energy in debates, commercials and rallies, with the special attention giving investors and researchers in fuel cell technology the courage to accelerate their efforts.

Those efforts will be on display at The 32^nd Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition, the largest technical conference of its kind. It is expected to draw 2,000 attendees in Phoenix next week, covering how fuel cell technology can help mitigate the effects of global warming.   

Valerie Browning, technical program chair, said the breadth of the program and the emphasis on fuel cell commercialization and demonstration projects have expanded.

“Talk is being replaced by action and exciting uses,” Browning said.   

With a theme of “fuel cells for a greener world,” presentations will include examples of recent fuel cell breakthroughs in endurance, manufacturing scalability and fuel flexibility. Attendees will be able to test drive fuel cell powered vehicles and view residential applications.

“Our demonstration presentations will highlight examples of how fuel cells are being used in every day applications including robotics, portable electronics, residential electric, material handling (forklifts and other warehouse equipment), and transportation,” she told Modern. 

Though fuel cells aren’t immune to the recent upheavals in global economies, the prospects for growth in the commercialization of the fuel cell industry continue to look strong, Browning said. Global interest in efficient, alternative energy supplies does not appear to be waning.

But private investors may be more cautious in where they devote their money in the near future, Browning said. Most existing companies will weather the storm. 

“Government agencies have been investing considerable resources into fuel cell development and nothing said publicly so far suggests that precipitous drops in funding levels are planned for the near future,” she said.

As for how fuel cell research may fare under a Barack Obama or John McCain administration, Browning said the fledgling markets and commercialization opportunities will be driven by political, economic and environmental factors that supersede any differences between the candidates.   

“Fuel cells have been around for a long time and commercialization and emerging market opportunities have begun to take on a life of their own,” she said.