Lighter and cleaner

Citation

(2000), "Lighter and cleaner", Work Study, Vol. 49 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ws.2000.07949daf.003

Lighter and cleaner

Keywords Fuel, Energy

The National Hydrogen Association's 11th Annual US Hydrogen Meeting and Exhibition, the largest annual gathering of the hydrogen community in the world, offered opportunities to learn how to fuel your car with hydrogen at home or to test-drive a hydrogen-powered vehicle alongside the chance to hear local, national and international experts and policymakers explain why they believe that hydrogen is the "universal fuel".

This year's theme "The Universal Fuel" highlighted hydrogen's widespread application and abundance. It can be used to power everything from spacecraft to ice cream makers, and it can be produced from water and is, therefore, inexhaustible. In keeping with this theme, presentations at the meeting emphasised the many facets of hydrogen. Topics included:

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  hydrogen commercialisation perspectives;

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  safety codes and standards;

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  space applications for hydrogen fuels;

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  marketing hydrogen to the media;

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  international and domestic energy policy issues;

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  Iceland's transition to a hydrogen fuel economy;

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  global climate change;

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  public transportation;

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  the latest advances in hydrogen storage.

Speakers from a wide range of backgrounds - including government, industry, research, communications, business and international affairs - included Mark Udall, US House of Representatives Science Committee, and Robert Walker, a former member of the US House of Representatives, and former chair of the House Science Committee. Iceland's Minister for Industry and Trade, Valgerdur Sverrisdottir, provided an international perspective in her presentation on Iceland's transition to a hydrogen-powered economy.

Other events included a hydrogen technology exhibition, a demonstration of a new personal fuelling appliance that will permit users to fill their car with hydrogen fuel at home, "Ride & Drive" demonstrations of hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles, a poster session, and ... a Mardi Gras Evening Reception featuring Dixieland jazz by the Sheiks of Dixie.

Because hydrogen is the "fuel of the future", the National Hydrogen Association helped to ensure that the next generation will be "hydrogen- aware" by hosting an invitational for students from Washington, DC-area middle and high schools. The students had an opportunity to learn about the properties and uses of hydrogen through lectures, experiments, a tour of the exhibition area, and special presentations by hydrogen experts.

Web site: http://www.HydrogenUS.com/nha