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It’s 1976 and the Fuel Cell Seminar is in its first year of fruition as a government funded forum on the fuel cell community. There are only 150 participants in total, and as the name would suggest, no exposition in sight. This first conference was a means for fellow scientists and industry leaders to talk shop, review the latest research developments within fuel cells, and network with colleagues. While the fundamental goals of the conference have not changed in its 32 year history, 2008 brought about exciting improvements within the conference structure and moved toward solidifying a place for fuel cells as an alternative energy source.
In 2008 the Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition (FCS&E) grew in attendance by 31% from 2007, with more than 1650 participants. About 76% of participants came from the commercial sector, while 8% came from the government sector, indicating the movement of fuel cells from a research based product to a commodity that is currently available commercially. Additionally, 12% of the participants represented academic institutions, encouraging the idea of further growth and research.
2008 FCS&E Technical Program
The 2008 Technical Program featured a diverse set of talks from fuel cell R&D to applications and commercialization. Sessions included topics such as, solid oxide fuel cells, fuel cell testing and modeling, PEM fuel cells, global overviews, manufacturing advancements, and fuel cell applications within the transportation, stationary and portable power sectors. The commercialization track was also a huge hit, with sessions focused on public awareness, emerging markets, as well as economic considerations.
One of the major program highlights was the Opening Plenary Session, with an international panel of speakers, including Klaus Bonhoff, NOW National Organization Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Technologies, Byron McCormick, Fuel Cell Activities, GM Powertrain, Ken Silverstein, EnergyBiz Insider, Lars Sjunnesson, Lund University, Thermal Power Engineering, and Atsushi Yamamoto, FC&H2 Promotion Office. Many participants commented on McCormick’s speech, calling his talk “inspiring”, while others appreciated the global viewpoints of all of the speakers and deemed the plenary session “uplifting”, and the speakers “inspirational leaders”.
The CEO Roundtable also saw an increase in the number of participants. The Roundtable is a means for attendees to get the CEO perspective on the state of the industry; it’s a forum for the audience to ask the questions they’ve been dying to ask about the fuel cell community and its latest developments. The Panel included Gary Flood, ReliOn, Inc., Harol Koyama, IdaTech, LLC, Andy Marsh, Plug Power, and Henri Winand, Intelligent Energy, The Innovation Center. One attendee noted that “this session included high caliber CEOs, which made it a major success.”
2008 FCS&E Exposition
While our technical program showcased the latest in research, development and manufacturing, our 2008 Exposition went international. Exhibitors came from all over the world, including Germany, Canada, the UK, Japan, Finland, and Taiwan. There were a total of 143 exhibiting companies, close to 20% of which were new to the FCS&E. Our European contingency also increased, with exhibitors from both Finland and Germany taking over large exhibitor pavilions.
New this year, was the Exhibit Hall-Only pass, which allowed attendees to tour just the exhibits. Improved features such as Demo-World and the Ride & Drive were certainly the major attractions for the 356 Exhibit-Only attendees who visited the exhibits. On hand in Demo-World was IdaTech’s iGenTM Fuel Cell System, a 250 watt industrial fuel cell system. During the demonstration, the system was initialized to charge batteries and power an electric load and thereafter shutdown.
Another highlight at this year’s exhibits was the revival of the FCS&E Ride & Drive. The 2008 FCS&E Ride & Drive allowed attendees to test drive fuel cell hydrogen powered vehicles, including the Chevy Equinox, Daimler F-Cell, Honda FCX Clarity, Hyundai Tucson, and Toyota HFCV. Attendees waited around the block for their chance to ride or drive one of these zero-emissions, alternative energy vehicles. While currently only available in Southern California, one of the most popular of the cars was the Honda FCX Clarity. The FCX Clarity is an electric powered vehicle that generates electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen inside a fuel cell stack. Another popular vehicle was the Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell. The Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell is powered by the GM fourth-generation fuel cell system, and while not currently available for purchase, was given the 2008 Green Car Vision Award by Green Car Journal.
Going Green & Other New Initiatives
To embrace our theme, Fuel Cells for a Greener World, the FCS&E Planning Committee adopted many new initiatives for the 2008 conference. From providing water bottles made of recycled materials, to decreasing the number of printed abstract volumes and replacing them with CDs, the logistical goal for this year’s FCS&E was to encourage attendees to practice what they preach and go green.
Other initiatives included the Women in Fuel Cells Luncheon. Because of their desire to establish an organization that celebrated the contributions women have made in the science, engineering, marketing, and deployment of fuel cells around the world, Erin Lane, Kay Larson, and Jennifer Gangi created Women in Fuel Cells (WFC). A steering committee of 13 women worked tirelessly in the weeks leading up to the luncheon to establish a mission statement, determine preliminary goals for the group, and appropriately market their organization.
On Wednesday, October 29th, 65 women and men convened for the inaugural Women in Fuel Cells Luncheon to officially launch the organization. Dr. Meldrum, Dean of Engineering at Arizona State, provided the keynote address, in which she emphasized the need for balance in the industry in order to achieve good products, good design and good processes. The presentation was followed by a lively group discussion that focused on the goals of the organization, which included, providing networking opportunities, a mentoring program, and scholarship support. The success of the kick-off lunch indicates the need for such an organization and provides encouragement for the future of WFC.
The next meeting will be held at the National Hydrogen Conference and Expo in Columbia, South Carolina. If you are interested in joining WFC, send an email to womeninfuelcells-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. To keep up with the group, log on to the yahoo group Women in Fuel Cells.
FCS&E in the News
This year’s FCS&E saw a 71% increase in the number of registered press, including those from top industry magazines such as Fuel Cell Today, Fuel Cell Magazine, and Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Letter, as well as local news media such as the Business Journal of Phoenix, and the Arizona Republic. News coverage of the conference was featured on News Channel 12, the Phoenix NBC affiliate, while numerous articles about the conference were included in magazines and online blogs, such as InformationWeek, EnergyBiz Insider, Modern Materials Handling, AutoBlogGreen.com, Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Letter, and Fuel Cell Today.
Overall, the 2008 FCS&E continued to improve its place within the fuel cell industry, prompting one attendee to say, “If you have an interest in fuel cells – this is the conference you have to attend. There is nothing else like it.” – taken from an anonymous conference evaluation.
Like the fuel cell industry, the Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition has come a long way since 1976. We’ve developed into an ever-growing community whose product is vital, sustainable, and has developed into a reality. Fuel cells are here and the FCS&E will continue on its mission to make the public and the fuel cell community aware of its technology.
Don’t forget – get ready for the 2009 Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition, Palm Springs, California, November 16 – 19, 2009!
For more information about the FCS&E, please visit us at www.fuelcellseminar.com, or contact us at fuelcell@courtesyasso.com or 202-973-8671. |
