This year, the National Hydrogen Association opened the Second Annual H2U Student Design Contest to teams from all colleges and universities across the globe. This year's theme, "Hydrogen Power Parks," has generated interest from over 90 universities in 20 countries.

Washington, D.C., December 22, 2004—This year, the National Hydrogen Association (NHA), ChevronTexaco and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) opened the Second Annual H2U Student Design Contest to teams from all colleges and universities across the globe. This year's theme, "Hydrogen Power Parks," has generated interest from over 90 universities in 20 countries. Thirteen teams from Russia, Canada and the United States have officially registered to submit their designs for a customized power park.

"Power parks are basically a combination of fueling and power generation contained in one location. Like last year, we expect some very innovative designs from several highly motivated teams," said Jeff Serfass, President of the NHA. "For H2U 2005, we opened the competition internationally and we're thrilled that schools are responding," he added.

The H2U Design Contest requires interdisciplinary teams of students to develop a technical design; conduct necessary safety, economic, and environmental analyses; and outline a marketing/education campaign to raise public support for implementation of the design. The Grand Prize-winning team will receive a $5,000 stipend to present their design to the public at the NHA Annual Hydrogen Conference 2005, held March 29-April 1 in Washington, DC. Four Honorable Mention teams will also present their designs as exhibition posters and receive free conference entry. All winning designs will be published in the conference proceedings.

To date, more than 130 graduate and undergraduate students have officially engaged in developing their designs and over 300 students from more than 90 universities have been following the contest—more than double the interest from last year's inaugural competition.

"The innovative work of these students, our scientists of tomorrow," says David Garman, the Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, "demonstrates the exciting future of hydrogen." This year, the H2U Design Contest will continue to connect students with government and industry in pursuit of hydrogen development.

"Public-private partnerships play a critical role in shaping the hydrogen pathway," said Rick Zalesky, president of hydrogen for ChevronTexaco Technology Ventures. "That is why we are proud to join with the National Hydrogen Association and the Department of Energy to sponsor the Second Annual H2U Design Contest. This generation plays an influential role in developing the transportation technology and fueling solutions of tomorrow. This forum provides an opportunity for students to share their vision and for industry to learn more about what's on the minds of students today."

In addition to the title sponsors, Swagelok Company will participate as a Hydrogen Mentor. Hydrogen Mentors have an active seat on the contest judging panel and subsidize the participation of students to the NHA Annual Hydrogen Conference. For more information about becoming a Hydrogen Mentor, the contest, including contest guidelines and important deadlines, please visit www.hydrogencontest.org or call the NHA at 202-223-5547. To register for the conference, please visit www.hydrogenconference.org.