meeting report
Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium
Akron, Ohio, USA - May 13-14, 2008
Ken Alfred, Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition Executive Director, speaks with television reporter Dan Martin at the 2008 Symposium.
The Fuel Cell Corridor came to life at the Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium on May 13 and 14 in Akron, Ohio. More than 300 attendees convened at the Quaker Square Inn at the University of Akron to connect with customers, partners and prospects.
Lionel Batty, vice-chairman of symposium organizer the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition (OFCC) and director of corporate research and development for GrafTech International, focused on the value of collaboration and Ohio's benefits for building relationships that mean better products coming to market sooner. "Ohio's extensive supply chain provides synergy that is creating a hotbed of fuel cell development," Batty explained. "The OFCC's membership continues to grow at a rapid pace."
Jonathan Foreman of fuelcellmaterials.com, a division of NexTech Materials Ltd., emphasized the benefits and explored the challenges of fuel cells in advanced energy production.
The requirements of mobile fuel cell configurations for the U.S. military were presented by Tim Lowe of Energy Technologies Inc. A prototype tactical fuel cell meeting deployment requirements was also displayed in the exhibition hall using metal-hydride fuel cells with solid fuel canisters, modular 120VAC 50 or 60Hz output, and single user controls (manual mode).
Anode catalysts for direct coal and coke solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) were discussed by Prof. Steven Chuang of the University of Akron. In his presentation, Chuang addressed the relationship between fuel processing and fuel cells.
Dr. Danielle Strickland of Rolls Royce Fuel Cells Ltd. discussed the potential of interfacing fuel cells to an electricity grid and the company's efforts to develop a 1MW solid oxide fuel cell power plant.
The commercialization path for fuel cell-powered lift trucks was examined by Eric Jensen of Crown Equipment Corp.
During his Wednesday presentation, Batty unveiled the OFCC's new website, www.fuelcellcorridor.com, designed as an industry portal that enables members to access valuable resources, including job boards, RFPs, events and the membership directory.
More than 30 exhibitors networked with potential collaborators and customers. Workshops focused on workforce development, as Ohio leads the charge in training engineers and technicians for fuel cell companies.
"As the Fuel Cell Corridor, we are poised to build a workforce that will meet the needs of the industry," said Ken Alfred, executive director of the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition. "We're reaching youth with middle and high school programs, and developing a contingent of green-collar workers who are a vital part of the industry."
"Collaboration Beyond the Laboratory: Moving Toward Production Readiness" was the session title by Jeffrey Melaragno, strategic fuel cell initiative business leader at Battelle Memorial Institute, and "Wright Fuel Cell Group Accomplishments" was that of Dr. Norman Tien, Dean of Engineering at Case Western Reserve.
The Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium is presented annually by the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition, the largest regional membership organization in the industry. The organization is comprised of industry, academic and government leaders fostering the growth of the Fuel Cell Corridor and expanding awareness of the benefits of fuel cell technology.
Visit www.fuelcellcorridor.com for more information.
