Two days Workshop on Fuel Cell Technology and Hydrogen Energy

Two days Workshop
on
Fuel Cell Technology and Hydrogen Energy

May 21-22, 2009 at IIT Delhi

OBJECTIVE AND COVERAGE

Almost 90% of primary energy demand is met by the fossil fuels world over. There is no denying the fact that oil and natural gas reserves of the world are limited. Recent unprecedented rise in oil prices beyond US $ 145 has focused the world attention on National energy securities. With the increase in the population of the world and with increase in the standard of living of masses especially in the developing countries the rate of consumption of fossil fuels has increased. This may result in further reduction of the time of ultimate depletion of fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal.

With increase in the demand of power for sustaining the 8-9% growth of economy, the consumption of coal would increase in India. This, would put a heavy pressure on increasing the production of coal and thus again would lead to its foster depletion. The quality of Indian coal is also not good. The environmental concerns on the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are also increasing. There are all around expectations that the efficiency of utilization of fossil fuels should increase.
Enhancement in the efficiency of utilization of fossil fuels would not only be interesting from the point of view of energy industries such as petroleum refineries, oil companies, thermal power stations etc. but for safeguarding the national economics as well. Fuel cell technology has demonstrated good efficiencies, which would not only conserve energy but may also reduce or eliminate environmental polluton.

Fuel cell technology i.e. the idea of direct conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy was first demonstrated by Sir William Grove in 1839 using a fuel cell. It was in the middle of twentieth century that the Bacon’s pioneering work led to the use of fuel cell in space missions i.e. in the space rockets. Interest in the commercialization of fuel cell technology is catching up. The use of renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics is also gaining popularity world over and may find relevance with fuel cell technology in future.
World is looking towards renewable energy sources for the supply of cleaner energy. Hydrogen has been considered as the cleanest and efficient fuel of future. Extensive research and development work is being undertaken world over on the search for suitable sources of hydrogen.

India’s National Hydrogen Energy Programme has been given a major push with the formation of National Hydrogen Energy Board (NHEB). Hydrogen generation storage, transport, distribution and safety aspects are important. NHEB is also focusing on the application of hydrogen based fuel cells for generation and automobile applications. Developed countries are also giving a lot of importance to Fuel Cell Technology and Hydrogen Generation. The energy engineers are gearing up to meet the challenges of making Fuel Cell Technology and Hydrogen Energy affordable, viable and sustainable. However, there is a need to manage knowledge and information in this area and provide directions and road map for the development of Fuel Cell Technology and Hydrogen Energy by pooling in efforts from different sectors such as industrial, academic, R&D laboratories and institutions and other learning organization etc.

The following topics would be covered

�� Potential of renewable energy sources.
�� Principal of Fuel Cells
�� Types of fuel cells, such as Proton Exchange Fuel cell, Direct Alcohol Fuel Cell, Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell, Carbon Fuel Cell etc.
�� Utilization of Fuel Cells, for power generation.
�� Photovoltaic power generation
�� IGCC and Fuel Cell power generation.
�� Renewable sources of hydrogen production
�� Solar photolysis of water for H2 production.
�� Utilization of H2 as a cleaner fuel
�� Challenges in the utilization of H2 as a fuel
�� Importance of Fuel Cell Technology and Hydrogen Energy for industry
�� Knowledge Management in Fuel Cell Technology and Hydrogen Energy in Industries – Energy informatics

METHODOLOGY –

Lectures and Discussions

WHO MAY PARTICIPATE?

Engineers, Scientists and Technologists involved in fuel technologies, power generation, energy and environmental engineers and scientists, executives etc.

DATES AND VENUE:

Date: May 21-22, 2009
Venue: Centre for Energy Studies, IIT Delhi
Last date for Registration: May 4, 2009

FEES:
Rs. 5,500/- (Rupees Five Thousand Five Only).payable by DD/cheque (Delhi A/c) in favour of “FITT, IIT Delhi”