Symposium Showcases Progress in
Ohio’s Fuel Cell Industry

WFCG Reports on Support of Commercialization Activities

The fuel cell industry flocked to Columbus recently for the 2007 Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium, “Fuel Cells: Tomorrow’s Power Today.”  The two-day event featured Ohio’s current fuel cell activity and provided opportunities for attendees to network with key industry leaders.  The 2007 Symposium hosted more than 260 attendees. 

“The Symposium is another good example of the level of vibrancy in this industry and a powerful indication of the Ohio fuel cell community’s readiness to be a prime player in emerging fuel cell markets,” said Ken Alfred, executive director, Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition. 

George Harker (left), WFCG's new executive director, and Mirko Antloga, WFCG technical director and business liaison, hold down the fort at the WFCG booth at the 2007 Fuel Cell Symposium.   

According to Alfred, the highlight of the Symposium was the inspirational remarks from Ohio’s Lt. Governor Lee Fisher.

“You epitomize and represent a new model of economic development in the state,” Fisher stated.

Fisher went on to discuss the importance of “operating at the intersections” via the utilization of shared resources like the Wright Fuel Cell Group, EMTEC and the OFCC.  Fisher said other states have made great strides in the technology arena through these types of innovative collaborations.  

George Harker, WFCG’s new executive director, elaborated on the benefits of partnering with an organization like the WFCG, which include:

• Cost savings by sharing – not duplicating resources
• Additional creativity and technical experience
• Increases in grant funding
• Fostering future collaborations

Harker also highlighted several successful WFCG Partner projects, including Contained Energy, HydroGen and GrafTech.  You can view Harker’s complete presentation here.

Mark Shanahan, executive director of the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, made a stylish appearance in the Ford Edge with HySeries Drive.  The HySeries is the world’s first drivable fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle with plug-in capability.  The HySeries is able to operate using a fuel cell, small gasoline or diesel engine connected to an electric generator to make electricity.  The vehicle’s onboard hydrogen fuel cell generator with lithium-ion batteries can deliver more than 41 miles per gallon with zero emissions.  

In addition to the 27 exhibitors at this year’s symposium, many of Ohio’s finest research universities showcased their fuel cell-related work.

Exhibitors included:

American Reliance (AMREL) Battelle* Catacel* Chemsultants International Dana Corporation* East Technical High School FIRST Robotics Team Edison Welding Institute (EWI) EMTEC* Energy Technologies Inc. GrafTech International* Heraeus Hocking College Lambda Americas          * WFCG Partner/Collaborator

Laser Reproductions MetaMateria Partners* Middough Consulting Mound Technical Solutions NexTech Materials* Ohio Cat Ohio University Precision Energy & Technology Precision Flow Technologies Refractory Specialties Inc. SSP Fittings Technical Staffing Professionals Wright Fuel Cell Group* Zircar Ceramics

 Visit www.fuelcellcorridor.com to view more images and information.