A major technical fuel cell conference has voiced its opposition to the US government's plans to cut spending on the fuel cell and hydrogen industries.

The department of energy announced recently that it is slashing the budget for both programmes by almost 60 per cent on an annual basis in the 2010 financial year.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu noted that the move is designed to restore "our scientific leadership" and to put "Americans back to work through investments in a new green energy economy".

However, the Fuel Cell Seminar and Exposition - which attracts about 1,500 attendees from the industry every year - has dismissed those claims, calling the decision "counterproductive".

Sam Logan, President of the conference's board of directors, outlined its belief that the US could subsequently fall behind its foreign competitors at this "pivotal moment for our industry".

He said: "We believe [the government should be] promoting a more balanced and inclusive energy portfolio that commits national resources equally to hydrogen and fuel cell products and technology as it has with others."

The conference noted that there are already nine university programmes and a number of commercial laboratories focusing on research into the development of fuel cells and hydrogen.

It also explained that fuel cells are becoming more important in backup power and large stationary combined heating, cooling and powering applications, plus featuring more prominently in buses.

The next development for fuel cells is arguably to capitalise on their potential to replace traditional lithium ion batteries in portable devices.

Source:

The Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition Speaks Out Against U.S. DOE Funding Cuts (01/06/09)

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