Hannover, Germany —The Energy sector fair—one of 12 trade shows co-located at Hannover Fair 2007—assembled some 880 companies to display their developments and innovations for efficient production and transmission of renewable and conventional energy. Innovation was everywhere.
One highlight was the 13thannual group exhibit “Hydrogen + Fuel Cells,” which has grown to 133 companies. Amidst overall optimism for alternate energy sources, exhibit speakers predicted a less than immediate upsurge for these technologies.
Jochen Straub, sales account manager for Ballard Power Systems , sees a long road ahead for fuel cells, especially in the automotive sector. “It’s tough competition with over 100 years of establishment. Today’s internal combustion engine is nearly a perfect product from the technology viewpoint,” said Straub.
In wind energy generation, Enercon showed its 2,000-kW rated E82 unit housed in a huge nacelle (now in production). The nacelle drives wind turbine blades that are 82 m (269 ft) in diameter!
— Frank J. Bartos, P.E., consulting editor, Control Engineering Daily News( Register here and scroll down to select your choice of eNewsletters free .)
