The Global Energy Prize Laureate Presents Revolutionary Technologies

- Fuel cells working on hydrogen to fight climate change and depletion of energy resources

MOSCOW, May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Russian researchers from the Tomsk Polytechnic Research University and Icelandic professor, The Global Energy Prize laureate Thorsteinn I. Sigfusson showcased the fuel cells project, which run on hydrogen, at the round table "The role of hydrogen in the energy sector: Russian research and innovations," which was held on Russian Day on April 24, 2012 during Hannover Messe. 

The catalyst for the new invention was, first and foremost, environmental concern, the struggle against the greenhouse effect and the limits of traditional energy resources.

"Hydrogen energy has been a distant dream: the evaporation point for burning hydrogen is three times higher than oil or petrol. But as hydrogen is hotter, it has a series of deficiencies: it is more volatile than methane; volumetric energy for combustion is three times smaller than for natural gas.  Two issues are critical to succeed on this field: hydrogen manufacture and its use as a fuel. It is thought that if the price dropped from 5 euro to 2 euro, hydrogen fuel will come into demand," said Igor Lobovsky, President of the Global Energy Prize Partnership during his speech at Hannover Messe.

While the outlook and energy efficiency of this technology are undeniable, manifold investments will be required to further promote its development, both on the part of public organizations and business.  Professor Thorsteinn I. Sigfusson highlighted the importance of Russian researchers taking part in such events as Hannover Messe: "I wanted our work to be introduced to show the capability and interest of the Russian scientists to possibly collaborate in Germany. So the Messe has a very important role for me. I am trying to open up Russia to negotiate possible partners for our technology from business or investment community."

"The results of Hannover Messe 2012 make it possible to state that Russia holds the potential to become a leader in fuel cell production.  A strong theoretical base of scientific research combined with R&D models point to the tremendous potential of this technology," states Ankit Shukla, Industry Manager for Frost & Sullivan Technical Insights Group.  The project, which has already been implanted in practice, serves as yet another vindication of this claim.  Its implementation was fostered through the efforts of Non-profit Partnership "Global Energy" and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation.

If you are interested in more information on the fuel cells or would like to speak to the experts, please send an e-mail with your contact details to Julia Nikishkina, Corporate Communications, at julia.nikishkina@frost.com.

About the Global Energy Prize
The Global Energy Prize awards over US$1m each year, and thus far has been granted to 24 scientists from around the globe, including past Laureates from the US, Great Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Iceland, Russia, Ukraine and Japan. The President of the Russian Federation participates in each year's award ceremony held at the conclusion of a week-long celebration of the awardees' work, Laureates' Week.  Other world leaders who have supported the prize include the former US President George W. Bush, former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, former French President Jacques Chirac and current Canadian Prime Minister, Steven Harper.

The Prize rewards innovation and solutions in global energy research and its concurrent environmental challenges. The degree to which a development contributes to the benefit of humanity is a key driver in deciding the recipient of the Prize.

http://www.globalenergyprize.org/en/

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Contact:
Julia Nikishkina
Corporate Communications – Russia
P: +7-(499)-918-6145
E: julia.nikishkina@frost.com