As I think back on the Board meeting held on June 10 and June 11, I wonder whether we have taken the first steps toward developing a shared vision of PATH’s general scope and specific activities that it is undertaking.

There is general interest in updating the “Sourcebook for Hydrogen Applications” and expanding it to include Japanese hydrogen information. The Japanese have offered to help develop addition information on their codes and standards activities for the “Codes and Standards Report”. It is always difficult to decide whether an information request made to member associations is worth the additional burden for them. This is question is particularly for the Japanese since HESS is the host for the June 2004 WHEC in Yokohama. On a related topic, there was a vigorous discussion on what, if any, role PATH should play in codes and standards activities. Based on this discussion, it is clear that there is a desire to engage in activities related to one of the core reasons for PATH’s existence – the reaction to the EIHP codes and standards . It is equally apparent that PATH should not be in the business of writing or reviewing in detail hydrogen and fuel cell related codes and standards. I offered to develop some guidelines for the next Board meeting on how PATH could approach the codes and standards question in a meaningful way.

An important element of PATH is developing a common vision for a hydrogen energy future. At this meeting Board members from Japan, Canada and the U.S. were presented with an outline of their respective energy situation and asked to respond to the outline by July 31st. By the next Board meeting, PATH staff plans to have drafts of the energy vision for each country for review.

Finally, the Board discussed the development of research centers in each country. After discussing my meeting with Dr. Rocheleau of HNEI, the Board discussed the nature of the research program to be carried out. The key elements in the program were: including researchers from other countries in ongoing research activities at the institute and an annual conference/peer review at which researchers present their current work to critical review. The Board also discussed hydrogen and fuel cell curriculum development. I explained to the Board the advantages of doing curriculum development at the 3rd year college level for engineering students. At this level teachers have wide latitude in curriculum, the students already have the necessary science and mathematics background, and feedback is more informed and speedier. However, the Board felt that we should look first toward high school and middle school curriculum. PATH staff was asked to compile a list of textbooks and curriculum for the next Board meeting, where the discussion will be continued. The next Board meeting in October, will include a tour of the HNEI research and “Gateway” facilities.