meeting report

Hydrogen Expo US

Long Beach, CA USA

March 12-14, 2006

The fourth Hydrogen Expo U.S. was held March 12-14 in Long Beach, California, as part of the National Hydrogen Association’s Annual Hydrogen Conference 2006. Approximately 90 exhibitors showcased the latest in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, drawing almost 2,000 attendees into the exhibit hall.

One of the event’s highlights was the “Ride & Drive,” hosted by the National Hydrogen Association and organized by the California Fuel Cell Partnership. Twelve vehicles were available for test-rides, including a new version of Honda’s FCX, the Toyota FCHV, DaimlerChrysler’s F-Cell, the GM HydroGen3, and a pickup converted to hydrogen combustion by ETEC.

The concept of converting conventional vehicle engines to hydrogen fuel was also presented in the expo hall. A highway patrol car from Hydrogen Labs and Quantum’s Prius-based hybrid with a fuel cell and an H ₂ internal combustion engine stood out. BMW visualized the compression of the clean fuel for the combustion engine of the new H ₂ -7series.

Compressor, valve and sensor technologies comprise another growing segment of Hydrogen Expo US. “This demonstrates how the expo grows with the market”, says Ines Freesen , managing director of expo organizer Freesen & Partner GmbH. “For a number of exhibitors the event has helped to pave their way into market.”

The next Hydrogen Expo U.S. will be held next March 18-20 in San Antonio, Texas, as a part of the NHA Annual Hydrogen Conference 2007. For more information, visit www.HydrogenConference.org