Scientists and industry representatives discussed the future of hydrogen

"Hydrogen - Energy for the 21st century" - this was the slogan of a scientific and technical seminar held on Friday at the Faculty of Materials Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology in Katowice. It was attended by representatives of science and industry.

The main theme of the conference was hydrogen, both as an element of the modern hydrogen economy in the investment chain of production-storage-application, but also as an element which significantly influences the properties of materials and the course of technological processes, both positively and negatively.

Welcoming the guests, the Dean of the Faculty of Materials Engineering, Professor Kinga Rodak emphasised their numerous arrivals. - This means that the subject matter is extremely important and topical, because it affects important spheres of our economy in the area of clean energy production and environmental protection - said the Dean.

The Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Education, Professor Wojciech Szkliniarz recalled that the Silesian University of Technology has been dealing with hydrogen issues for a long time. He added that nowadays, among other things for ecological reasons, it is necessary to accelerate the development of new technologies in the field of energy. - Therefore, it seems today that hydrogen is our opportunity, said the Vice Rector.

The seminar was opened and conducted by Professor Janusz Adamiec and Professor Maria Sozańska. The papers covered such topics as, among others, hydrogen and materials - problems and new hopes, hydrogen production methods or the development of hydrogen storage systems for road transport solutions.

One of the first speeches at the conference was given by Mirosław Skibski, director of the Katowice branch of the Industrial Development Agency and chairman of the board of the Śląsko-Małopolska Dolina Wodorowa (transl. Silesian-Małopolska Hydrogen Valley).

He reminded the audience that the Silesian-Małopolska Hydrogen Valley is to operate under the convention of an association (an application for an entry in the National Court Register is currently being examined). Skibski emphasized that the idea is that it should be a place that organises dialogue between stakeholders - the association is to be a link between science and industry, enabling, among other things, information on how to obtain funding for activities. 

In addition, Mirosław Skibski recalled that the H2 hydrogen portal has been in operation for a few months and the 3xW quarterly for over two years. Among others, scientists can publish there. 

The seminar was held under the patronage of the Materials Engineering and Metallurgy Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Polish Society of Materials Science, the Polish Welding Society, the Polish Stereological Society and the Industrial Development Agency - Katowice Branch.

More photos at: https://www.polsl.pl/fotoreportaze/seminarium-naukowo-techniczne-wodor-energia-xxi-wieku/