2009
2009 Fuel Cell Seminar and Exposition Successes
The Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition (FCS&E) provides an
exciting opportunity to learn about and experience the latest
advances in fuel cell research, development and
demonstration/application. The Seminar was created in 1976 as a
forum for researchers and developers alike to share new findings,
as well as successes and failures, within the fuel cell community.
Since then, the FCS&E has grown along with its industry, in
terms of the numbers of participants; the numbers of demonstrations
of fuel cells; and the state-of-the-art of the technology.
This year's conference, Fuel Cells: The New Generation of
Green Power, expanded on the conference's mission to advance
the global energy, environmental, and economic
benefits offered by fuel cell technology. Through our
extensive technical program and exciting exposition featuring
international partners, the FCS&E showcased the importance of
fuel cells in the development of energy strategies that reduce or
eliminate greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions.
The 2009 technical program featured four parallel tracks that
covered all aspects of fuel cell R&D, applications, and
commercialization. The high temperature fuel cell
track included sessions on solid oxide fuel cells, molten
carbonate and direct carbon fuel cells, and fuel processing. The
low temperature fuel cell track offered topics on
global perspectives, fuel cell testing and modeling, and hydrogen
research and development. Our third track focused on the broad
range of fuel cell applications including
transportation, stationary, and portable power systems. The final
track covered emerging markets, economic
considerations, government incentive programs, as well as
manufacturing advancements.
With exhibitors from Canada, Finland, Germany, the UK, Denmark,
Taiwan, Greece, and Japan, the 2009 Exposition provided attendees
with a global perspective on the market. The exposition allowed
attendees to touch real fuel cell systems and components and it
provided the opportunity to network with leaders of the
international fuel cell industry.
Attendees also enjoyed several of the educational opportunities,
for which The Seminar & Exposition has become known, including
technical poster presentations and short courses. Back this year
was the popular Women in Fuel Cells Luncheon, which celebrates
women who demonstrate excellence within the fuel cell community and
provides a unique networking opportunity. And don't forget about
our FCS&E Ride & Drive in which participants drove the
latest models of fuel cell vehicles. Networking is one of the
essential missions of the FCS&E, and participants got to know
the rest of the fuel cell community during our Welcome and Industry
Receptions!
History
The first Fuel Cell Seminar was launched in June and July of
1976 in Palo Alto, California. The conference originated as a
Department of Energy commissioned seminar and exhibition. Through
education, outreach, and demonstration, the conference coordinators
sought to advance the global energy, environmental, and economic
benefits offered by fuel cell technology.
The primary goals of the Fuel Cell Seminar were and remain:
- To reach technical excellence through cutting edge research,
development and demonstration of fuel cell technology.
- Award those whose work in the field has only advanced the
industry.
- Educate and inform, not only the industry, but also the
community and it's leaders through technical presentations,
discussions, and demonstrations.
- Provide opportunities for industry leaders, researchers,
students, and manufacturers and avenue to share ideas and thoughts
through networking activities.
The first conference attracted just 170 attendees and did not
include an exposition. Changes in political and environmental views
resulted in the growth of the conference, both programmatically and
in attendance. In 1998, the Exhibit Hall debuted at the Seminar
with 62 exhibiting companies. Today the Fuel Cell Seminar is a
501c(3) non-profit and attracts more than 2,000 domestic and
international attendees, as well as over 150 exhibitors in research
and development and in manufacturing industries.
2007 brought even more change to the Fuel Cell Seminar. Not only
did the conference transition into a not-for-profit 501c(3)
corporation, but fuel cells weren't just a dream anymore; they were
being used in everyday life. In 2007, the Board of Directors and
the Planning Committees determined the importance of bringing fuel
cells to the masses. A new track was added to the program,
commercialization. Not only did the conference
offer presentations on vital fuel cell topics, such as research and
development, and end-user perspectives, but it was now committed to
techniques to help manufacturers market to and inform the general
public.
Due to a growth of commercialization, the exhibition became a
major priority. So in 2007, Fuel Cell Seminar became the Fuel Cell
Seminar & Exposition.
Today, the Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition offers the largest
number of technical papers, the most exhibits and the best coverage
of the latest technical advances in the field. The simultaneous
technical sessions discuss progress in four main areas: utility,
residential, vehicle and portable, and discusses challenges in
costs, fuels, storage, reliability, lifetime and adoptability. Fuel
Cell Seminar & Exposition exhibitors and sponsors represent the
latest in leading research and development-both domestically and
abroad. Participants include technical leaders, scientists,
educators, researchers, developers, investors, students and
manufacturers of fuel cell products.