Fuel cells: Why is Austria not taking off?

In recent years, institutions, manufacturers and energy suppliers as well as research advanced the development of fuel cells for stationary uses: The aim was and still is the low-emission fuel cell, which can be flexibly combined with highly efficient, decentralized energy systems. International success and progress in this area is gradually becoming more visible, for example in Japan. There, the number of stationary fuel cell systems installed has already exceeded 150,000 units. In Austria, the picture seems to be different: Technology is not really taking off - not even 30 systems for producing heat and electricity with the help of fuel cells are installed. Paradoxically, Austrian tech companies are among the market leaders in fuel cell system components.
The Austrian Energy Agency (AEA) is part of an international Technology Collaboration Programme of Research, Development and Demonstration on Advanced Fuel Cells which tries to better understand how stationary fuel cell systems may be deployed in energy systems. In the realm of this programme, AEA, together with the Austrian Association for Gas and Water – OVGW, invites you to participate in a workshop, which tries to find answers to the following questions:

• What are barriers to the widespread use of stationary fuel cell systems in Austria?
• What can Austrians learn from the success of European and Japanese initiatives?
• What are the latest achievements of Austrian companies in supplying fuel cell components and systems

Answers to these questions will be provided by international experts from Austria, Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Due to the international background of speakers, the workshop language will be English. Participation is free of charge. The workshop will be closed with a networking session including drinks and snacks.
Further information on the Advanced Fuel Cells Technology Collaboration Programme: http://www.ieafuelcell.com

Target Groups

• Energy supply companies
• Industry
• Policy makers
• Research institutes and universtities

Information and Registration

Please complete the online registration form
www.energyagency.at/index.php

Here you can find the Agenda for the AFC-Workshop in Vienna (10.10.2016).

Talks

12:00 Registration

13:00 Welcome
Theodor Zillner (BMVIT)

13:10 Introduction to IEA Advanced Fuel Cells
Günter Simader (AEA)

13:30 Japan's ENE-FARM programme
Akiteru Maruta (Technova Inc.)

14:00 The European ene.field programme
Stefano Modena (SOLIDpower SpA)

14:25 Stationary fue cells in Germany 
Ulf Birnbaum (Germany)

14:50 Coffee Break

15:15 Micro CHP Systems form Bosch AG
Gerhard Appel (Robert Bosch AG)

15:40 Products & achievements from Plansee SE
Werner Schulmeyer (Plansee Solid Oxide Fuel Cell)

16:05 Fuel cells as solution for industrial mobile appliances
Ewald Wahlmüller (Fronius International GmbH)

16:30 Summary
Alexander Schwanzer (ÖVGW)

16:40 Get-together

Contact

Österreichische Energieagentur GmbH - Austrian Energy Agency GmbH
Questions considering content:

DI Dr. Günter Simader
Tel.: +43 (0) 1 586 15 24- 124
guenter.simader(at)energyagency.at