ISSUE 38: JULY–AUGUST 2005
network of research and training centres/programmes
FRONT PAGE | ARCHIVE |
A hydrogen-fuelled future for developing world?
UNU Institute for New Technologies is spearheading a new initiative to promote hydrogen fuel cell technology in developing countries by organising an international conference, Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Alternatives in the Transport Sector: Issues for Developing Countries, to be held in Maastricht, Netherlands, November 7-9.
 |
|
This fuel cell bus
runs on compressed |
INTECH is working with two other UNU bodies – UNU Environment and Sustainable Development Programme (UNU-ESD) and UNU Geothermal Training Programme (UNU-GTP) to stage the event which will raise awareness of new hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and enhance decision making in developing countries by benchmarking hydrogen fuel cell activities in international transport.
The conference will bring together experts from countries and organizations with advanced fuel cell and hydrogen programmes to interact with experts, researchers and policymakers from developing countries with experience in this field and senior managers from business, academia and the policy sector from developing countries who will benefit from learning about industrial planning and pollution control policy.
Discussion topics will include:
- Hydrogen Production, Distribution and Storage
- Fuel Cells and Fuel Cell Vehicles
- State of Activities and Knowledge in Developing Countries
- Implications for Oil and Gas and Automotive Industries in Developing Countries
- Programmes, Policies, Education and Research in Developing Countries
- Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Context of Alternative Transport Pathways
 |
Hydrogen and fuel cells represent an important technological opportunity to address transport issues such as urban air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and energy security. While developed countries have taken the lead in research and development, there is some activity in developing countries such as China, Singapore, India and Brazil.
Elsewhere, there are developing countries with industry, government, or internationally led efforts to monitor or prepare research, policy and education strategies for this emerging technology.
There is a need to begin benchmarking and fostering collaboration among developing countries, to include less technologically advanced countries in the discussion and to begin analyzing the costs, benefits, opportunities and risks of fuel cells and hydrogen technology for these countries.
© 2005 United Nations University