The aim of the competition was to bring school students closer to two of the technologies of the future: hydrogen and fuel cells. The theme of this year’s competition was the efficient use of innovative technology in logistics. “The Fuel Cell Box competition is an important means of introducing young people to the opportunities for training and study in the area of energy technology “, said Minister Thoben. „This is vital not only for the career prospects of the students but also for the development of the economy. Currently we have a shortfall of 20,000 engineers in North Rhine - Westphalia. Unless we take counter-measures now, this will have foreseeable negative consequences for this part of Germany as a centre of industry and technology.“ „As the largest manufacturer of industrial battery systems in European ownership, we have specialised in the development of new technology and services in the field of energy storage “, explained Dr. Marc Zoellner, Chief Executive of HOPPECKE Batterien GmbH & Co. KG. „The growing use of regenerative energy sources and the switch to emission-free drives are bringing a new dimension and special emphasis to the fields of application for rechargeable energy storage. As a company with one of the largest research and development departments in this sector in Europe, we are very pleased that the Fuel Cell Box competition has inspired so many young researchers to work on the application of these new areas of technology.“ The schools’ competition is run in close cooperation with business and industry. Supporters include TÜV Nord AG, Air Liquide Deutschland GmbH, KION Group GmbH, HOPPECKE Batterien GmbH, Hydrogenics Corporation together with Deutsche Wasserstoff- und Brennstoffzellen-Verband (DWV), the h2-netzwerk-ruhr and HyCologne - Wasserstoff Region Rheinland e.V. A new round of the „Fuel Cell Box“ competition in North Rhine – Westphalia is planned for the coming school year.