and fuel cell technology,' comments Holger Grubel, manager for innovative energy systems at the local electric utility, HEW Hamburgische ElectricitΓ€tswerke. He adds that although there are numerous pilot projects where technology is being tested, and the universities are conducting research into hydrogen and fuel cell technology, so far there is no link between the companies and research facilities. 'Hamburg could take on a flagship function, with the support of the German government, Europe, and global players such as Airbus and HDW,' he believes.
The Hamburg Initiative aims to change this. 'We undertake coordination between manufacturers, users and scientists,' explains Dr Sabine Dippner of the Hamburg Department of Urban Development & Environment, which has taken on management responsibility for the program.
HEW will commission and begin operation of a HotModule carbonate fuel cell stationary power plant from MTU CFC Solutions later this year, to generate power and heat in Hamburg's new HafenCity development district. And transit agency Hamburger Hochbahn (HHA) is already operating three fuel cell buses from DaimlerChrysler in the framework of the EC-funded Clean Urban Transport for Europe (CUTE) project, with a hydrogen fueling station at