Hjalti Pall Ingolfsson of Icelandic New Energy to Present “Hydrogen – Fuel of the Future?” at Penn’s Houston Hall Hall of Flags, 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 25, 2006

One of Iceland’s top hydrogen energy experts believes Philadelphia is ready for hydrogen-powered vehicles that are similar to the ones on the road in Iceland. One prototype minivan, the GM HydroGen3, marks an important milestone on the path to commercialization of fuel cell vehicles. The HydroGen3’s fuel cell combines hydrogen from the on-board storage tank with oxygen from the air to produce electricity and water. The Hydrogen3 fuel cell minivan provides a traditional driving experience in a vehicle whose only emission is pure water vapor (it’s so pure, you can drink it). 

Photo/video opportunity: On Oct. 24, test drive the car and interview Iceland hydrogen energy expert, Hjalti Pall Ingolfsson, project manager of Icelandic New Energy (newenergy.is), who believes Pennsylvania needs to wake up to the potential of hydrogen energy to power cars and buses.

The development of fuel cell vehicles promises great benefits to society as they are roughly twice as efficient as traditional gasoline internal combustion engine vehicles. Their fuel—hydrogen—can be obtained from a wide range of sources, from natural gas to domestically-produced renewables, and the vehicle is truly pollution-free. Furthermore, the tremendous electrical power generated by the fuel cell enables new and compelling vehicle designs.

Icelandic New Energy created the world’s first commercial hydrogen filling station which opened in 2003 in the capital city of Reykjavik and produces hydrogen by electrolyzing water, using electricity generated from renewable energy, geothermal and hydroelectric. Iceland is the first country to pledge the future of its society to hydrogen energy. Ingolfsson’s Oct. 25 public presentation at Penn will outline how Iceland has been a leader in the development of hydrogen energy.

WHO: GM HydroGen3 vehicle and Hjalti Pall Ingolfsson, project manager of Icelandic New Energy (newenergy.is).
WHEN: Test drive: Tuesday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Penn presentation: Wednesday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m. (open to public, free admission)
WHAT: Demonstration of the potential of hydrogen energy.
WHERE: University of Pennsylvania, Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce Street, Philadelphia
WHY: Pennsylvania and the U.S. has yet to tap into the potential of hydrogen energy.
CONTACTS: Patrick J. Morgan, assistant director, external relations, Penn Business Services
215 898 2489; cell 267 252 9658;