About

Since 2004, the NHA Hydrogen Student Design Contest (has challenged multi-disciplinary teams of university students to apply their creativity and academic skills in the areas of design, engineering, economics, environmental science, business and marketing to the hydrogen and fuel cell industries.

Students from universities, four-year colleges, community colleges, and vocational schools worldwide are eligible to participate in the Contest. Submissions are evaluated by a diverse panel of judges that include industry representatives and officials at U.S. Department of Energy.

Prizes

2011 Contest Prize details coming soon.

For the 2010 Contest, the Grand Prize winning team was invited to present its design in a general session of the National Hydrogen Association’s Hydrogen Conference and Expo in Long Beach, California (May 3-6, 2010) and in a session of the World Hydrogen Energy Conference in Essen, Germany (May 17-18, 2010). A stipend of $12,500 was provided for travel to both events.

Honorable mention teams received invitations to give poster presentations at the 2010 NHA Conference and Hydrogen Expo and were provided complimentary hotel rooms and registrations for the event.

View Details on 2010 Contest Prizes >>

History

Although the Contest designs are concepts when submitted, the Grand Prize winning teams from 2004 and 2005 each attracted the funding necessary for actual development and implementation: a new hydrogen fueling station and power park, respectively. The station designed in 2004 had its grand opening at Humboldt State University on September 9, 2008.  The winning design in 2008, which included a back-up and portable power system powered by hydrogen for airports, has generated a great deal of interest for implementation at the Columbia International Airport in Columbia, South Carolina.

View Previous Contests and Winners >>