PATH has existed for the past two and one-half years as an entity operating on its own.  In that time, there has been a surge of interest in hydrogen and fuel cells by a number of international organizations such as the UN, ECE and APEC.  In addition, the IPHE has been formed since PATH creation with a mission that has some similarity to PATH.  Once PATH established its direction and began working on projects.  It would be in a position to begin interacting with these organizations on a regular basis.  It is in this spirit that PATH obtained an APEC grant to fund an expansion of the Sourcebook for Hydrogen Applications and is seeking associate membership in the IPHE.  The reasons for its application to the IPHE for associate membership provide the best overview of the future direction of PATH as it seeks to expand its contacts with international organizations.

At the suggestion of the Secretariat of the IPHE PATH will apply for associate membership in the IPHE.  The PATH goals complement the activities of the IPHE.  PATH is focused on: collaboration among its members, assisting non-member hydrogen associations in emerging countries in their development, and gathering and packaging authoritative information on hydrogen and fuel cells.  These efforts have led us to: expand the Sourcebook for Hydrogen Applications, conduct and participate in vision hydrogen meetings in China and Mexico, and plan a workshop among hydrogen research institutes in Canada, Japan and the United States on exploring the opportunities for collaborative research among these institutions.  In addition, PATH is exploring the possibility of conducting a vision workshop in Argentina in late 2005 and is developing a framework through which it can facilitate hydrogen and fuel cell projects among members and others.  These are all activities consistent with the ‘Functions of the IPHE’ under the IPHE’s Terms of Reference.

The value of PATH to the IPHE lies in expertise in codes and standards.  The leadership of PATH hold or have held important positions in both domestic and international standards organizations.  PATH has also with APEC assistance secured funding and developed the plan of work for a platform that can integrate authoritative knowledge on hydrogen and fuel cells globally via the internet.  PATH is committed to working with countries which would not qualify for IPHE membership and a formal association with PATH and the IPHE would provide a bridge to those economies.  Finally the member associations of PATH have most of the major hydrogen and fuel cell industries as members along with an almost equal number of research institutions.  PATH can serve as one of several conduits between the IPHE and the hydrogen industry along with universities and research institutes.

PATH future lies in facilitating the flow of hydrogen information, providing advice and acting as an informal forum to discuss ideas and understand differences.  Then flow this information into public arenas provided by international bodies.