TORONTO-- Hydrogen & Fuel Cells 2004 Conference and Tradeshow to Include Public Demonstrations in Nathan Phillips Square

Fuel Cells Canada and the Canadian Hydrogen Association will be hosting the Hydrogen & Fuel Cells 2004 Conference and Tradeshow in Toronto from September 25 - 28. Industry leaders from around the world will be meeting to showcase the latest developments in fuel cell and hydrogen technology, and share research breakthroughs. Numerous forums and panel discussions will be taking place, and innovative technologies will be demonstrated at both the indoor and outdoor exhibitions.

Organizers expect over 1,000 government, academic and industry delegates to attend the conference to dialogue with over 200 prominent presenters and over 50 exhibitors at Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. With analysts predicting the global fuel cell industry to grow to $46 billion by 2011, conferences such as this are critical in maintaining Canada's status as a world-leader in the hydrogen fuel cell field.

"Canadian hydrogen and fuel cell companies have played a leading role in driving world interest in this technology and establishing standards," said Dr. Ron Britton, President and CEO of Fuel Cells Canada. "With the support of government and industry partnerships, Canadian companies continue to thrive as the international hydrogen and fuel cell industry grows and matures."

Hydrogen & Fuel Cells 2004 Conference and Tradeshow will focus on many aspects of hydrogen and fuel cell technology, specifically:

- Hydrogen technology progress, including storage, infrastructure and production

- Fuel cells, including quality, cost and applications

- Economics and policy, including government and industry strategies

- Fuel cell demonstrations, including transportation, micro-fuel cells, and portable power

    - Impact on climate change, including health and the Kyoto Accord

    Public Demonstration in Nathan Philips Square - September 25-27

The conference will be opened on Saturday and will include hydrogen and fuel cell technology showcases at Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square and the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. The public will be able to learn first hand about how hydrogen fuel cells can impact their everyday lives. Hydrogen fuel cell powered buses, cars and scooters will be on hand, with education sessions being hosted by industry leaders.

"Permanent installations and public demonstrations play a key role in increasing awareness of hydrogen and fuel cells," said Dr. Tapan Bose, President of the Canadian Hydrogen Association. "Projects like Toronto's Hydrogen Village, B.C.'s Hydrogen Highway, the Vancouver Fuel Cell Vehicle Project, and Montreal's Hydrogen Airport are crucial for the commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cells and educating Canadians about how this technology can impact their lives."

The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario are proud partners and co-organizers of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells 2004 Conference and Trade Show. Both levels of government are pleased to support this collaborative event that will showcase Canada's world leading hydrogen and fuel cell industry.

For more information on the conference visit www.hydrogenfuelcells2004.com

About Fuel Cells Canada

Fuel Cells Canada is a non-profit and member-driven national industry association with offices in Vancouver and Ottawa. It works closely with industry, government and academia to achieve its mission of accelerating the development of Canada's world-leading fuel cell and hydrogen industry. Fuel Cells Canada is the prime source of services and support to Canadian corporations, educational institutions and business alliances promoting, developing, demonstrating, and deploying fuel cell and hydrogen-related products and services in Canada. www.fuelcellscanada.ca

About Canadian Hydrogen Association

The Canadian Hydrogen Association is a nonprofit membership association composed of universities, research organizations, industry and small business. Its objective is to promote the use and development of hydrogen energy, hydrogen energy systems and technologies and to develop the role of hydrogen energy for the purpose of improving the environment. www.h2.ca

About the Government of Canada

For over 20 years, the Government of Canada has played an important role in the development of Canada's hydrogen and fuel cell industry. Through this history of partnerships, and a total commitment to date of approximately $500 million, we have helped build world leading capacity in Research and Development, Engineering and Testing, Demonstrations, Codes and Standards and Public Education and Outreach. The Government of Canada recognizes that continued partnerships and collaborative efforts with industry and academic stakeholders are key for the successful global transition to a hydrogen economy. www.ic.gc.ca, www.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

About the Government of Ontario

Ontario's economic development and trade resources promote economic growth in an increasingly competitive global marketplace by creating a culture of innovation, promoting investment and expanding exports to world markets. Ontario is accelerating the commercialization of its critical mass of scientific and technological research to bring the best ideas and discoveries out of the labs and turn them into products and services that can be sold around the world. www.gov.on.ca