"f-cell 2008": Who will build the H2 service station network?

Stuttgart (eos) – Fuel cell cars are already on the road, and they even start at minus temperatures – which appeared for a long time to be difficult. Their tanks are filled with hydrogen in three minutes, and that is enough for a range of approximately 300 kilometers. “Commercialization will commence around the year 2015,” announces Dr. J. Byron McCormick, Executive Director of Fuel Cell Activities at General Motors Powertrain in Pontiac, USA, selfconfidently in his lecture during the fuel cell congress “f-cell”. However, an essential requirement must be met before this target can be achieved: “The infrastructure must be reliably in place.” This is something, says the speaker, that he will make clear to the audience of experts at the international “f-cell” on September 29 and 30 in Stuttgart. “What we need now are binding promises to establish a service station network. If all else fails, we’ll need legislation.” As far as prices are concerned, the zero -emissions fuel cell vehicles will not be able to compete even in the middle of the nex t decade, and that is why financial support from governments is essential. “We will only be able to enter the market with fuel cell vehicles in
countries where we get this support.” In doing so, governments and companies who jointly have to leverage the project are betting on the right horse: “In comparison – for example with electric vehicles – fuel cell cars are leading by a nose.”

Focus on stationary applications of the fuel cell

The “f-cell” forum at the end of September, which combines the congress and trade fair, offers not only interesting insight into the plans of the automobile industry. “In 2008, one special focus of the event will be on stationary use of the fuel cell,” explains event Organizer Peter Sauber, Managing Director of the Peter Sauber Agentur Messen und Kongresse GmbH in Gerlingen near Stuttgart. This year, he is organizing the “f-cell” for the eighth time jointly with the Wirtschaftsförderung Region Stuttgart GmbH (economic promotion). Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (EnBW – a utility company) and the Ministry for the Environment in Baden-Württemberg also support the international specialist forum.

National innovation program introduces dynamics

Dr. Wolfram Münch, head of Research, Development and Demonstration at EnBW, expects that the German National Innovation Program for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP), with which a total of one billion euros will flow into the enhancement, testing and market launch of fuel cells, will generate considerable momentum for stationary applications, for example in household energy supply: “We are expanding our field tests. Appliance manufacturers can now test innovative manufacturing techniques and establish supply chains. In a few years, they will be ready with the first small production series.”

Specialist forum promotes international networking

The Managing Director of the economic promotion agency, Dr. Walter Rogg, emphasizes the international alignment of the event: “We need regional initiatives such as here in the Stuttgart region, national programs, but also worldwide networking. The technology can only be established if an adequate number of countries and companies embrace it. With the ‘f-cell’,
we want to make a contribution to this.” Approximately 60 lectures, divided into ten topicrelated forums, cover all the application fields of the fuel cell and provide participants with an overview of the state of the art, testing, and market launches. The trade fair with more than 40 exhibitors has established itself as an information platform and networking opportunity. A poster exhibition with the title “f-cell vision” that is taking place for the first time in 2008 will be presenting new, exciting ideas for the enhancement and use of the fuel cell and is intended to bring together creative developers and potential manufacturers. Information on “f-cell”
Those who are interested will find more information and the current program of the “f-cell” on the Internet at: www.f-cell.de The Peter Sauber Agency can be reached by telephone at +07156 (0)7156-43624-51.