cnac18

The National Congress on Climate Change CNAC’18 (https://www.cnac2018.com/)  took place on 19, 20 and 21 February in the Aula Magna of the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) in Vila Real (Portugal).

This event arises from the need to discuss a current and pertinent problem, targeting students of higher and secondary education, researchers, teachers, technicians, auxiliaries and the public in general. There are many myths and taboos surrounding the dialogue on climate change and in this event it is intended to diagnose, elucidate and discuss the essential aspects of a problem that affects all of us.

The congress was divided into two parts: oral presentations and workshops. The oral presentations were extended throughout the first two days and they were focused on different aspects related to the impacts and challenges associated with climate change.

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CIDAUT, invited by Residuos do Nordeste and UTAD, had the opportunity to make a presentation on sustainable transport and hydrogen applications in transport. An analysis of the current context of greenhouse emissions and other types of emissions (such as NOx and particles) associated with transport and the need to search for sustainable alternatives was carried out. Likewise, it was carried out a review of the main fuel cell and hydrogen technologies available and the applications of these technologies in land, maritime and air transport. An extensive review was made not only of the development projects but of the applications that are already on the market.

It was concluded that fuel cell and hydrogen technology is a mature technology with multiple demonstration projects of different vehicle typologies worldwide that are already a reality. There are vehicle typologies where mobility based on H2 is already competitive with batteries and a significant reduction in battery and battery costs is expected. Nevertheless, it is necessary to continue with performance improvements and reductions in weight and volume. Besides,the development of H2-based mobility requires a deployment infrastructure set.

Tags: Climate change, hydrogen