Will fuel cells help Europe meet its energy challenges?

Speaker: Marcus Nurdin, Senior Adviser and Honorary President, World Fuel Cell Council
 
The presentation provided an overview of the advantages provided by fuel cells and hydrogen and how these could address the environmental and economic challenges associated with future energy demand, in particular reduced emissions of Greenhouse Gases and Toxic pollutants and improved energy security through increased diversity of locally available primary energy sources.
 
A number of European Regions and Cities have initiated significant demonstration and deployment programmes for hydrogen and fuel cells – a brief outline was provided. 
 
The purpose of this event was to debate if fuel cells are likely to make a serious contribution to environmental and energy security challenges, and, should the occasion arise, what Europe must do to ensure full participation in an emerging global industry. Or, conversely, do we risk losing out to the USA, Japan and China?