UMaine Hosting Online Hydrogen Fuel Technology Workshop

The University of Maine will video stream on Oct. 18 a series of free workshops featuring international companies working to develop and lessen the cost of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. UMaine professor of mechanical engineering technology David Dvorak, who works with the UMaine Forest Biofuel Research Institute on fuel cell applications in the pulp and paper industry, is coordinating UMaine’s participation.

Representatives from eight companies in the United Kingdom, Canada and United States will discuss their research and the future of hydrogen, a clean alternative to traditional fossil fuels for the automotive industry and heat, power, cooling and fuel production systems for buildings, industrial applications and utility power supplies.

The public and Maine business representatives are invited to attend any of or all four hour-long workshops planned simultaneously from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The sites are the UMaine Target Technology Center on Godfrey Road in Orono and 118 Boardman Hall on the Orono campus. The workshops will also be streamed at the Wishcamper Center Atrium and Auditorium at the University of Southern Maine; Room 162L at the University of Southern Maine Lewiston-Auburn College; and Pullen Hall at the University of Maine Presque Isle.

Discussions will be particularly relevant to Maine’s energy issues, according to the event’s chief organizer, the Portland, Maine-based Hydrogen Energy Center (HEC). HEC is a nonprofit organization run by industry volunteers interested in seeing hydrogen energy correct the problems of dirty air, climate disruption, world conflicts and poverty, which have been caused by the world’s fossil fuel economy, the organization says.

The workshops will explore the status of hydrogen fuel cell development and its advancing technology. For more information, including a session schedule, contact the Hydrogen Energy Center at (207) 233-1273, email Gary@HydrogenEnergyCenter.org or visit the HEC website.

Contact: George Manlove, (207) 581-3756