By Robert Mauro, General Manager, PATH
As fall approaches, I have begun to think about 2004 PATH activities. It should be noted that the 2004 fiscal year for PATH does not begin until April 1, 2004, so this is really the dawn of the planning process. As such we are just beginning to assess where we anticipate being when April comes and what we should be doing. In addition to the normal administrative, management and financial activities, there are programmatic, marketing and communication activities that PATH should consider being engaged in. The wish list of activities is long, but the resources are not that large, so we will have to be selective.
The activities that we are very likely to be involved in are:
- expanding the Sourcebook for Hydrogen Applications under the APEC (for further information see article in this issue) grant
- continuing to pursue an international research activity affiliated with our Founding Members
- supporting demonstration activities, most likely in China during 2004
- defining a curriculum activity
- defining a codes and standards activity
If our marketing efforts are successful, then PATH will undertake a vision workshop with the new member(s) and attempt to characterize their energy future and incorporate that in an expanded overall energy vision. Finally, if the resources are available PATH will begin a low-level effort to characterize Member countries’ global warming policies and the role hydrogen could play in those policies.
As PATH begins to develop products, it will use presentations and papers as marketing opportunities. It is currently planning to present a paper at WHEC 2004 in Yokohama, Japan and in late 2004 or early 2005 at an APEC conference. In addition, PATH has begun discussions with the European Hydrogen Association about PATH membership and having the European hydrogen and fuel cell experience incorporated in the Sourcebook for Hydrogen Applications. Additionally, with U.S. government help, at the end of the APEC grant PATH will translate the Sourcebook for Hydrogen Applications into Chinese. It is in discussion with the U.S. Government to work with it in developing a vision workshop in China and being involved in a helping the Chinese develop a codes and standards process for hydrogen and fuel cells. Finally, PATH has a continuing dialogue with Argentina to join PATH. This could result in a visioning meeting in Argentina in 2005.
PATH must consider revamping its web site in 2004 in light of the potential range of its activities. As a part of its APEC grant, it will be conducting workshops on hydrogen and fuel cells including but not limited to codes and standards in Latin America and Asia late in 2004. The next year is shaping up to be a busy year for a resource limited PATH. Nonetheless, PATH has the ability to shape a successful future based delivering meaningful and useful content to its Members.
