"f-cell 2008": Trade fair as an information platform and networking opportunity

Stuttgart (eos) – Exchanging experience, finding out about the latest developments, as well as making and expanding interesting business contacts – these are factors for success in every industry. The eighth fuel cells specialist forum “f-cell” on September 29 and 30 in Stuttgart provides a comprehensive opportunity in this direction for producers and users of the fuel cell. The international event combines a convention and trade fair and is the largest of its type in Germany. “Initially, the focal point was the comprehensive program of lectures. In the meantime, the trade fair with more than 40 exhibitors uses up all the space available in the Stuttgart “Haus der Wirtschaft” and has established itself as an independent element of the fuel cell industry event,” explains event organizer Peter Sauber, managing director of the “Peter Sauber Agentur Messen und Kongresse GmbH”, which is organizing the “f-cell” jointly with the “Wirtschaftsförderung Region Stuttgart GmbH (WRS – regional economic promotion). The Ministry for the Environment in Baden-Württemberg and Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (EnBW- a utility company) are also supporting the event.

Fuel cell power stations for local authorities and industry

The “f-cell” covers the entire range of stationary, mobile, and portable fuel cell applications, but in 2008 there is a special focus on stationary applications of the technology. For example, CFC Solutions GmbH from Ottobrunn near Munich, a subsidiary of the Tognum Group, will also be making a presentation at this year’s “f-cell”. The company recently presented a new model of the HotModule, HM320, with a maximum electrical main power output of 345 kilowatts and a thermal output of 250 kilowatts to provide municipal or industrial power supplies.

Practical tests at EnBW

The HotModule is also being tested by EnBW, who have been gathering experience in practical tests with stationary devices of different sizes since 2001. These also include fuel cell units driven by biogas in the power output range of 250 kilowatts. Since the start of their fuel cell program, EnBW has so far installed 24 systems in the field of household energy supply. A number of projects have already been concluded successfully. Wide range of exhibitors The exhibitors who have already registered also include h-tec Wasserstoff-Energie-Systeme GmbH from Lübeck, heliocentris Energiesysteme GmbH, FuMA-Tech GmbH, Schunk Bahn- und Industrietechnik GmbH, and BASF Fuel Cell GmbH, all of whom provide fuel cell systems or related components. The exhibitor Plansee SE from Reutte in Austria, for example, has developed so-called interconnectors for high-temperature fuel cells (SOFC) made of a special chromium-based alloy. Magdeburger FuelCon AG, the software house ANSYS Germany GmbH, Gräbener Maschinentechnik GmbH & Co. KG, as well as Magnum Automatisierungstechnik GmbH will be presenting test units, diagnosis devices and software, and manufacturing systems respectively. The German Center for Aerospace and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems and Chemical Technology will also be represented with their latest developments. The Universities of Esslingen and Offenburg will be showing their experimental fuel cell vehicles. Various associations such as the German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association, as well as regional associations – for example HyCologne Hydrogen Region Rhineland and the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Initiative of Hess – have already made the commitment to set up booths.

Only very little booth space still available

A current list of exhibitors can be found on the homepage of the event at www.f-cell.de. “The demand for space is strong,” reports Sabine Vetter of the Peter Sauber Agency. “If anyone still wants to have a booth, they’ll have to hurry with their registration.” Those who are interested can book their participation in the trade fair on the event homepage or contact the Peter Sauber Agency directly: 0049-(0)7156-43624-52 E-mail: sabine.vettermesse-sauber.de