Following successful conferences in Yokohama in 2004 and Lyon in 2006, we look forward to welcoming you to Brisbane, Australia for the staging of the 17^th World Hydrogen Energy Conference (WHEC2008). Brisbane, the capital city of Australia's premier tourist state, Queensland, is witnessing phenomenal growth and economic activity by world standards and is an ideal host city. The conference will provide extensive networking opportunities to delegates and deliver the most relevant information on all matters concerning hydrogen and fuel cell technology.

The WHEC2008 will cover a wide range of technical issues; from how hydrogen is safely produced, stored, transported and utilised to broader topics such as environment, education and regulatory developments.

The programme of the WHEC2008 will cover a range of topics highlighting the complex issues of utilising hydrogen as an energy carrier. These include methods of generating hydrogen, materials for hydrogen storage, infrastructure development and hydrogen utilisation technologies, particularly fuel cell systems.

The subject of hydrogen generation will include the conversion of fossil fuels to the use of renewable energy sources and nuclear power. Fossil fuel conversion includes processes for the gasification of coal and biomass, thermochemical systems such as steam reforming, and photochemical systems. The electricity produced from natural renewable energy sources, or even nuclear electricity, could be used to generate hydrogen by the electrolysis of water and development of these technologies will be reviewed.

Sessions on hydrogen storage will be devoted to the investigation of advanced materials such as metal hydrides, chemical hydrides and carbon nano-structures as well as cryogenic and compressed hydrogen storage

Sessions on infrastructure development will discuss the technical viability and economics of energy transport and refuelling stations.

Hydrogen utilisation forms a key area of the programme, with sessions covering the use of hydrogen in engines and turbines as well as the many types of fuel cells currently under development for transport, stationary and portable power systems.

Interest in fuel cell vehicles continues to grow as more demonstrations are launched, and these will be reviewed together with associated technical issues such as the design of on-board storage tanks. Items such as proton exchange membrane (PEM), alkaline fuel cells (AFC), solid oxide (SOFC), and molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC) will also be covered.

The international and environmental perspectives of hydrogen energy, as well economic and commercialisation topics, will be covered in the programme,. A session will be devoted to the issue of safety and the development of international codes and standards. Hydrogen and fuel cell technology education will also be a focus area of the WHEC2008 programme, with the running of the inaugural International Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Education Forum for school teachers, academics, government officials and others with an interest in the advancement of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

The conference co-hosts, the International Association for Hydrogen Energy, the Australian Institute of Energy and the WHEC2008 organising committee look forward to seeing you in Brisbane in June.