About IPHE
PURPOSE
IPHE serves as a mechanism to organize and implement effective, efficient, and focused international research, development, demonstration and commercial utilization activities related to hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The organization also provides a forum for advancing policies as well as common codes and standards that can accelerate the cost-effective transition to a global hydrogen economy to enhance energy security and environmental protection.
Terms of Reference (Updated in Sep 2006, PDF 88KB)
|
|
PRIORITIES
IPHE has recently established a new set of strategic priorities and is structuring the organization's future activities based around these four areas of focus:
- Accelerating the market penetration and early adoption of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and their supporting infrastructure
- Policy and regulatory actions to support widespread deployment
- Raising the profile with policy-makers and the public
- Monitoring hydrogen, fuel cell and complementary technology developments
RESULTS
Since IPHE was formed, the organization has succeeded in establishing an effective operational structure to facilitate international collaboration and networking both among researchers and at the highest levels of government. Through IPHE, nearly all partner countries have either completed or initiated roadmaps or national strategies for hydrogen and fuel cell R&D.
IPHE Key Accomplishments
- Endorsement of 30 international collaborative projects covering a broad spectrum of topics including demonstrations; fuel cells; hydrogen production; hydrogen storage; regulations, codes & standards; transmission and distribution; and socioeconomics of hydrogen
- Organization of workshops and conferences that brought together more than 500 technical experts across more than 25 countries to identify key areas for R&D on issues ranging from hydrogen production to utilization
- Development of a “Priority Scorecard” that identifies key challenges, priorities, and opportunities for international cooperation
HISTORY & STRUCTURE
The formation of IPHE was facilitated by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2003 to foster international cooperation on hydrogen and fuel cell R&D, common codes and standards, and information sharing on infrastructure development. Today, IPHE’s 17 partners organize, evaluate, and coordinate multinational research, development, and deployment programs that advance the introduction of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies on a global scale.
Originally organized as "The International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy," the organization changed its official title to "The International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy" in December 2009.
The IPHE has a two-committee structure, supported by a Secretariat and four work groups. The Steering Committee (SC) governs the overall direction and framework of the IPHE, while the Implementation-Liaison Committee (ILC) focuses on execution of collaborative projects and initiatives. The SC and ILC each meet twice a year. IPHE partner countries contribute experts in the fields of (1) education; (2) regulations, codes and standards; and (3) demonstration and infrastructure as they participate in IPHE work groups, sharing information regarding activities in their countries and collaborating on IPHE initiatives related to their topic area. A fourth work group, the Evaluation Team, evaluates collaborative research projects for IPHE recognition.
CONTACT
In December 2009 the IPHE Chair and Secretariat roles were transferred from Canada to Germany.
The Secretariat may be contacted at secretariat@iphe.net.
Back to top |
