Introduction to the Implementing Agreement

Welcome to the website of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Implementing Agreement on Advanced Fuel Cells.

The Implementing Agreement for a programme of research, development and demonstration on advanced fuel cells was signed by seven countries in Paris on April 2nd, 1990. Since that time, further countries have signed the Implementing Agreement and the programme has grown from two to twenty-seven annexes in total. The participating countries are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and USA.

The aim of the IEA Advanced Fuel Cells programme is to advance the state of understanding of all Contracting Parties in the field of advanced fuel cells. It achieves this through a co-ordinated programme of research, technology development and system analysis on Molten Carbonate (MCFC), Solid Oxide (SOFC) and Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) systems. There is a strong emphasis on information exchange through Task meetings, workshops and reports. The work is undertaken on a task-sharing basis with each participating country providing an agreed level of effort over the period of the Task.