|
|
Media Information Press Release of 27 July 2003 Event Lucerne FUEL CELL FORUM 2003 June 30 to July 4, 2003 Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Luzern Fuel Cells: The Emotions are Gone During the first week of July beautiful Lucerne became again the fuel cell capital of the world. About 350 delegates from all parts of the world attended this year's Lucerne FUEL CELL FORUM to exchange experience with colleagues. This was already the sixth international fuel cell event of the European Fuel Cell Forum in heart of Switzerland. As always, the Lucerne Fuel Cell Forum consisted of two parallel conferences, a fuel cell product exhibition and a tutorial for newcomers to the field. In addition, fuel cell developers presented their fuel cell products and components in an international exhibition. In the conference titled "The Fuel Cell World" practical aspects of fuel cells were presented by 40 speakers from Australia, Canada, England, Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland and the Unites States. Innovative developments, new products and interesting applications were presented. The second conference, the scientific symposium "2nd European PEFC Forum" focused on the technology of polymer electrolyte fuel cells. With over 80 presentations this meeting has become the most important of its kind. This year some contributions came from countries that previously had never presented in scientific meetings: Thailand, Saudi Arabia and India. With 26 exhibitors from six countries the product show was again an impressive display of fuel cells, fuel cell products and components as well as novel applications for the innovative electric power source. Again, the Lucerne Fuel Cell Forum 2003 provided an excellent state-of-the-art overview of the fuel cells and the current market situation. The technology is progressing rapidly, but the acceptance of the innovative energy converter is yet insufficient for the establishment of a viable market. Fuel cells are still more expensive than conventional power converters. Cost reduction remains one of the pressing issues. Conventional power generators are rapidly improved and adapted to meet market demands. The race is on, but the finish line is not yet in sight. Many fuel cells can convert only hydrogen. This synthetic energy carrier is not yet available on the energy market. Fuel cell systems have to be fitted with expensive reformers for the conversion of natural gas or liquid hydrocarbon fuels into clean hydrogen. This adds costs to the already expensive hydrogen fuel cell systems. However, a hydrogen economy is not in sight. Mankind needs new energy sources and not new energy carriers. Furthermore, fabrication and distribution of hydrogen is associated with heavy energy losses. A recent study (www.efcf.com/reports/) reveals how energy-intensive a hydrogen economy will be and how much energy is needed to convert electricity into hydrogen, bring the hydrogen to the consumer and convert it back to electricity in fuel cells. Energy problems must be solved by improving the overall efficiency of our energy system. Most likely, electricity, not hydrogen will become the main energy carrier in a Renewable Energy Economy. Nonetheless, one remains optimistic. Fuel cells capable of converting natural gas or methanol directly into electricity have reached a pre-commercial state. The market leader today is the Swiss company Sulzer Hexis. Over 100 units of their fuel cell heating appliances have already been installed at selected customers and another 300 orders are booked. These units deliver power and heat for residential homes and small business. The cost of electricity and emission of greenhouse gases are reduced by perhaps 40% compared to conventional gas-fired water heaters and power from coal-fired plants. The German start-up company Smart Fuel Cells offers different models of portable fuel cell generators using Methanol as fuel. The continuous DC power sources could soon replace batteries in mid-size electronic applications. Again, some hundred units have already been sold. The molten carbonate fuel cells of the US Company Fuelcell Energy and its German partner MTU have gained a leading market position in the 200 kW power range. Close to one dozen MCFC units are already providing power and heat to private and public energy consumers. With its Lucerne FUEL CELL FORUM 2003 the European Fuel Cell Forum wishes to contribute to technology development and commercialization of this innovative energy conversion technology. As always, the main goal of the fuel cell event is an honest presentation of the potentials of the fuel cell technology. This year's Christian Friedrich Schoenbein Medal of Honor (Schoenbein discovered the fuel cell effect in 1838) was awarded to Professor Jürgen Garche of the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research in Ulm (Germany) for his contributions to the field and for his initiative to prepare trainees for work in the fuel cell area. All oral and poster presentations of both conferences are collated in two proceedings now for sale at the European Fuel Cell Forum, PO Box 99, CH.5452 Oberrohrdorf / Switzerland. Copyright free, proof copy requested, WORD-file available on e-mail request. Additional information is available at: European Fuel Cell Forum PO Box 99 CH-5452 Oberrohrdorf / Switzerland Tel: +41-56-496-7292 Fax: +41-56-496-4412 www.efcf.com >> back to Media Overview |
| ©
2010 EFCF |
 |
 |