NAFTC Attends and Exhibits at NHA Conference

The 2007 NHA Hydrogen Conference took place at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. The annual conference grows with every passing year and proves to be one of the most informative and educational hydrogen-based events in the world.

The Mercedes-Benz F-Cell, the first fuel-cell fire response vehicle, was on display at the 2007 NHA Hydrogen Conference. To learn more about this vehicle, read the "Fuel Cell-Powered Fire Response Vehicle Debuts in Sacramento" article in this month's issue of eNews. NAFTC Photo

The NAFTC attends the conference to maintain up-to-date information on hydrogen as a motor fuel and hydrogen vehicles including both internal combustion and fuel-cell vehicles. This year's conference, themed "Hydrogen Here and Now" focused on near-to-market products including hydrogen generation technology, infrastructure solutions, and fuel cell systems. The NAFTC participants met with fuel suppliers such as Chevron and Shell Hydrogen; automotive manufacturers such as Honda, Toyota, and General Motors; fuel cell organizations such as the South Carolina H2FC Alliance and the California Fuel Cell Partnership; and equipment suppliers such as Lincoln Composites, Structural Composites, and RKI Instruments, Inc., to discuss training and education/awareness/outreach activities and to obtain information useful in training classes.

Toyota displayed a cut-away of its fuel cell hydrogen vehicle to explain its drive system. NAFTC Photo

The conference provides informative sessions that include production, safety, storage, fuel cells, military applications, engines, and delivery. Special idea forums included topics such as "The Politics of Hydrogen" and "Hydrogen in a Carbon-Limited World." Keynote sessions included speakers such as Mr. Duncan Macleod - Global VP, Shell Hydrogen; Dr. Frank Ochmann - VP, Clean Energy; BMW Group; and Mr. Robert Walker, former U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania and Chairman of Wexler & Walker. These sessions and speakers provided invaluable insights and information on how hydrogen is here now and will continue to be in the future.

The 2007 NHA Hydrogen Conference hosted the second annual CGA seminar covering a wide variety of hydrogen topics including essential safety and storage aspects, distribution, and dispensing of gaseous and cryogenic hydrogen.

NAFTC's own Scott Martin had the opportunity to test drive the new BMW Hydrogen 7 during the ride-and-drive event. NAFTC Photo

As in previous years, the NHA Hydrogen Conference showcased one of the largest hydrogen vehicle ride-and-drive events. This year participants were welcome to climb behind the wheel of featured vehicles from BMW, Toyota, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Honda, and Volkswagen. The Linde Group provided a hydrogen fueling station equipped with both liquid and gaseous hydrogen and used the ride-and-drive vehicles to demonstrate how easy hydrogen fueling can be.

The 2008 NHA Hydrogen Conference is scheduled for March 31–April 4 of next year in Sacramento, California.