IEA RESEARCH COLLABORATION
International research on fuel cell technology

The Implementing Agreement “Advanced Fuel Cells (AFC)” of the International Energy Agency (IEA) is intended to boost the development of key components and systems for fuel cells in the IEA member states. The main emphasis is on analysing the market environment and on providing support for market entry by developing the necessary political framework and instruments.

The countries taking part are Australia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA. Austrian experts are currently participating in four research projects within this international collaborative framework and conducting R&D activities, system and market analyses, analyses of barriers to implementation and dissemination measures.

IEA research projects with Austrian involvement:
> IEA AFC Annex 31: Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells, Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Graz University of Technology
> IEA-AFC Annex 33: Stationary Applications, Austrian Energy Agency
> IEA-AFC Annex 34: Transport Applications, Austrian Association for Advanced Propulsion Systems (A3PS)
> IEA-AFC Annex 35: Fuel cells for portable applications, Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Graz University of Technology

 

DI Dr. Günter Simader, Österreichische Energieagentur, österreichischer Vertreter im Implementing Agreement „Advanced Fuel Cells (AFC)“ der Internationalen Energieagentur
Günter Simader, Austrian Energy Agency, representing Austria in the IEA´s Implementing Agreement “Advances Fuel Cells (AFC)”, Photo: Austrian Energy Agency
„How successful stationary fuel cells are in the marketplace will depend to some extent on the way prices develop and the technological quality (robustness/stability) that systems of this kind can achieve for end users. Great progress has already been made in field tests carried out in several different countries, particularly in Asia. Then again, creating a suitable political and legal framework will have a decisive influence on the fuel cell‘s continuing success in penetrating markets (in Austria, too).“