Monday, Mar. 02, 2009

Hydrogen Expo comes to town

The National Hydrogen Association Conference and Expo comes to Columbia later this month, attracting more than 1,000 researchers, manufacturers and government and business leaders.

They’re looking for the latest research, technology and products — as well as to network.

When and where: The conference runs March 30-April 3 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

Showcase for S.C.: The conference is a chance for Columbia and South Carolina to highlight their hydrogen fuel-cell development efforts.

In Columbia’s case, the conference will show off the revitalized downtown to a national audience as well as demonstrate work by the city and USC to become a research hub.

To see work statewide, conference attendees can take day trips to Aiken to visit the Savannah River National Laboratory and the Center for Hydrogen Research (now called ARC:Hydrogen) and to Greenville to see the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research.

Who’s talking: Speakers at the conference include officials from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Naval Research, the Indian Oil Co., French Atomic Energy Commission and automakers Honda and General Motors.

Patrick Moore, former president of Greenpeace Canada, and futurist David Houle also are scheduled to give keynote speeches.

Public welcome: The conference opens up to the public April 1.

On that day, the public can drive a hydrogen fuel-cell-powered car and see demonstrations of a hydrogen-powered robot, forklift and Segway personal vehicle. The public also can go the expo April 1 where they can visit hydrogen-related exhibitors.

The public also is invited to a town hall meeting on “The Good and the Bad About Hydrogen” at 2:30 p.m. April 2.

Learn more:

www.hydrogenconference.org

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