With more industries looking for a more efficient and less costly way to produce energy, many are turning to hydrogen and fuel cells research as the solution. The possibilities for the use of fuel cell technology and its applications are endless.

A variety of industries use hydrogen fuel cells technology. These industries include transportation, vending machines, highway signs and personal electronics, like laptops and computers. Hospitals, banks and police stations utilize fuel cells as a backup power source. Telecommunication companies are applying fuel cells research and hydrogen research for new applications. Landfills and water treatment plants use fuel cells to turn methane into electricity.

How can a user ensure that s/he is getting the best and most accurate hydrogen information on fuel cell research?

1. Check out government websites and resources for fuel cells research.
2. Search non-profit organization sites for hydrogen resources.
3. Look for associations and business facilitators for companies applying fuel cell research and development to different industries.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check government websites for current hydrogen and fuel cell information resources

With the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) involved in numerous fuel cell research programs, U.S. government resources can provide useful, current hydrogen fuel cell information.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has an extensive website about government programs on hydrogen fuel cells and an information resource page on hydrogen resources and fuel cell information. Another part of the DOE is a website that focuses on hydrogen research and clean fuels research. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides fuel cell information about hydrogen and fuel cell research and their impact on the environment. Argonne National Laboratory Transportation Technology R&D Center works with the DOE to develop fuel cells for personal transportation vehicles.

Find reputable, unbiased organizations that report on hydrogen research and fuel cell research

Non-profits are a good way to get unbiased hydrogen fuel cell info.

I recommend: Fuel Cells 2000 is a non-profit website dedicated to representing accurate information about hydrogen resources and fuel cell information. This site includes extensive information resources and links. Another non-profit group is Clean Energy Research & Education Institute, known as CEREI. Through research, it aims to generate reliable, independent energy that is environmentally safe and economical. It also educates the public. Fresh Energy has a broader focus; encompassing a range of energy topics, it also has a very useful resource page devoted to current fuel cell information and resources. The European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform (HFP) is a good source for information and resources on how European organizations are involved in hydrogen research and fuel cell research.

Search industry-specific companies for more specialized fuel cell and hydrogen resources

The type of information on hydrogen fuel research that one is looking for will depend on what sources will fit the need. Association and even business facilitators can provide information on which companies work with what specific type of fuel cell research.

I recommend: The US Fuel Cell Council (UFCC) is an association for the hydrogen fuel industry that is trying to make fuel cell information more accessible to different industries. Their membership includes producers and suppliers of different fuel cells, including automakers. Fuel Cell Markets LTD. facilitates business partnerships with companies who need hydrogen fuel cells with companies who produce hydrogen fuel cells. The non-profit organization Fuel Cells 2000 offers The Fuel Cell Directory with an extensive listing of fuel cell companies and organizations listing contact information and current projects. It also offers indexes of company type and fuel cell type. The directory is available for a fee in print form or CD-ROM with either MSAccess or MSExcel. The print version is offered free to non-profits, news outlets or college and university libraries. Fuel Economy.gov offers information on hydrogen fuel research for the auto industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Beware of incredible claims by businesses to vastly increase fuel efficiency. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• •  State agencies' websites may offer fuel cell information and information about hydrogen research more specific to your area.
• •  The big three American automakers have information about their individual hydrogen fuel cells research programs and applications on their websites.