ASES Ponders The H₂ Question
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By Tara Willey, Project Manager, Solar Electric Power Association

The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) held its annual conference, Solar 2003, in Austin, TX, June 21-26.  In addition to solar energy, Solar 2003 covered a wide range of topics from global warming to hydrogen.  Solar 2003 also had a distinctly environmental slant, addressing broad issues such as green house gas emissions, green power, and community activism.

A session held on June 24 was devoted solely to hydrogen and fuel cells.  While many environmental organizations and individuals have been critical of hydrogen being produced from fossil fuels, this session clarified some of the environmental benefits of hydrogen when produced from renewables or traditional fuels, and helped to familiarize a new audience with the issues surrounding hydrogen production and utilization.

The hydrogen community was well represented in the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells session by speakers from academic institutions, industry and foundations.  These presenters provided a general overview, as well as more detailed information on hydrogen production, required technology improvements, international issues and financial aspects.  Some of the papers presented addressed the technical barriers still facing hydrogen technologies and fuel cells, such as heat transfer and hydrogen production.  Other presentations discussed codes and standards, costs, policy and other non-technical issues.  All were met with interest from the conference delegates.

The inclusion of a session on hydrogen at a predominantly solar meeting shows that those outside of the hydrogen community are taking notice, and looking for ways to tie the technology to other applications, such as solar.  This is a good sign for hydrogen – it once again indicates a broader interest and an opportunity to educate other industries about hydrogen systems and technologies, hopefully easing entrance into the mainstream.

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