The Hydrogen Energy System Society of Japan (HESS) will host the 15th World Hydrogen Energy Conference (WHEC) in Yokohama, Japan from 27th June through 2nd July. Planning has begun for the conference with events focusing on fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen infrastructure. In addition, Japanese advanced technologies on fuel cells and hydrogen will be introduced to participants throughout the conference.

A fuel cell bus, residential fuel cells, reformers, fuel cell materials, hydrogen generators, hydrogen cylinders, sensors and other equipments will be on display at an indoor hall and an outdoor plaza throughout WHEC. Test rides in the fuel cell vehicles and the bus will be available daily.

HESS has issued a call for papers on a range of topics. Interested parties are encouraged to submit abstracts for consideration. Abstracts must be submitted through the WHEC 15 website www.WHEC15.jp by September 30, 2003.

In addition to conference sessions, several tours have been arranged for conference attendees to view Yokohama and to visit hydrogen test facilities. An afternoon tour will take participants to the Sankei-en Garden where several historical buildings are located; including the Three-Story Pagoda built in 1457, and Rinshunkaku built in 1649. On the way to the fuel cell vehicle demonstration center at Yokohama-Daikoku Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration Project (JHFC) Park the tour will pass over the Yokohama Bay Bridge which offers a panoramic view of the bay and port. The fuel cell vehicle demonstration center features a hydrogen refueling station by gasoline reforming and a show room and garages for the fuel cell vehicles of Toyota, Honda, Nissan, GM, Daimler- Chrysler and the Toyota fuel cell bus.

On a day long tour, participants will visit five hydrogen refueling stations using various hydrogen energy sources in JHFC project. The tour will include the JHFC Park and residential fuel cell test center where seven units of residential fuel cells from seven manufacturers are being tested at JIA in Tokyo.

Participants will visit the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and technology (AIST) and Japan Automobile Research Institute (JARI) in Tsukuba on a day long tour. The bus will stop at the JHFC Kawasaki hydrogen refueling station by methanol reforming on the way to Tsukuba. During the AIST tour, participants will view research facilities on hydrogen safety, metal hydrides, SOFC, and photocatalytic H2 production technologies. The day will conclude with a tour of the JARI research facilities on PEM fuel cells and safety tests for automobiles.

A longer two day tour will take participants to Kyoto by the Shinkansen super-express train from Tokyo. Participants will first visit the hydrogen and fuel cell research facilities at the Katsura Campus of Kyoto University. The second day of the tour will be spent visiting famous temples, shrines and a castle in and around Kyoto.