This year, the National Hydrogen Association (NHA) held it's annual conference between March 29 and April 1, 2005 in Washington D.C. The conference was titled: "Partnering for the Global Hydrogen Future." E&EM students and alumni participated and contributed to the conference through several activities.
Doctoral candidate Laura Verduzco volunteered to assist with the daily activities of the conference, such as registration, preparation of presentation equipment and scheduling of speakers, and other organizational issues. This experience gave her a chance to meet and interact with a wide range of individuals involved in hydrogen, a valuable opportunity, as she is currently writing her dissertation on hydrogen issues.
Current doctoral degree recipient Elvin Yuzugullu had a poster display of her research subject in the exhibit hall and she got a chance to interact with and explain her research to individuals involved in hydrogen energy.
E&EM alumnus Mark Ackiewicz, who currently works for the Technology and Management Services (TMS), presented a paper on the energy and environmental benefits of using coal to generate hydrogen. Mark's presentation described the analysis of the full life cycle of utilizing coal as a source for hydrogen, including resource extraction, conversion of the resource to fuel, and final utilization. As part of the analysis, the use of the coal-derived hydrogen in fuel cell vehicles was compared to gasoline internal combustion engine vehicles and gasoline hybrid electric vehicles. Mark also explained analysis findings relating to estimates of total energy consumed; nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and carbon dioxide reduced; amount of petroleum imports reduced; and fossil fuel value savings.
For the three E&EM colleagues, the conference provided a platform to do networking, learn about recent developments, and experience unique opportunities, such as a trip to the Benning Road Shell Hydrogen test station in D.C. Transportation to the Shell Hydrogen station was provided by hydrogen powered buses (both fuel cell and internal combustion engine buses utilizing hydrogen). Once at the station, representatives from Shell Hydrogen provided a tour of the storage, processing, and dispensing areas, providing a chance to see a real-world process up close and ask questions.
