U.S. Energy Secretary Abraham Tours Daimler Chrysler Nabern Fuel Cell Research Facility

8/12/2003

From: Tom Welch of the U.S. Department of Energy, 202-586-5806

NABERN, Germany, Aug. 12 -- Getting a glimpse of tomorrow's technology today, U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham toured Daimler Chrysler's Nabern Fuel Cell Research Facility today in Germany.

"I'm pleased to visit Nabern, which is in the forefront with its cutting edge hydrogen fuel cell research technologies," Secretary Abraham said. "I believe our work on hydrogen in the United States, Germany and elsewhere is perhaps the most significant endeavor the energy sector will see in our lifetimes. Working together, we can leverage scarce resources and advance the schedule for research and deployment of hydrogen technology."

President Bush has encouraged the Department of Energy to undertake the public-private technology partnerships in pursuit of a cleaner, more sustainable energy future that is ultimately independent of foreign sources of energy.

A growing number of countries have committed to accelerate the development of hydrogen energy technologies in order to improve their energy, economic, and environmental security. For example, the United States has committed $1.7 billion for the first five years of a long-term research and development program for hydrogen, hydrogen infrastructure, fuel cells, and hybrid vehicle technologies. The European Union has committed up to 2 billion Euros to long-term research and development of renewable and hydrogen energy technologies.

To broaden the hydrogen effort further, on June 16 in Brussels, Belgium Secretary Abraham signed an agreement with the European Union to collaborate on hydrogen research. He hopes to further increase international involvement this Fall when the United States hosts an International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy Ministerial meeting.

The use of hydrogen as an energy carrier offers several important advantages relative to existing systems. Hydrogen can be derived from multiple feedstocks, which fosters fuel versatility. End-use technologies that employ hydrogen, such as fuel cells, are more efficient and can be used safely while improving the environment and public health.