The Purpose and Goal
The Critical Issues Workshop (CIW) series has been developed by Clean Fuels Consulting to address very specific needs in the marketplace, be they technical, marketing, or political in nature. The purpose of the CIWs is to gather industry experts and stakeholders for detailed presentations and ample discussion on focused subjects that normally need clarification, additional work, resolution of specific or generic problems, or a combination of all these elements. The goal of each CIW is to arrive at a common understanding of the various critical issues in each workshop subject category and to create a strategy to address the issues, challenges, and solutions identified during the workshop. An overarching principle of the CIWs is that, through information and knowledge, opportunities for leadership are created.
The Process
Experts from private sector industry and the public sector (regulators, government, etc.) are invited to make focused presentations on different aspects of each CIW subject being addressed. These presentations are enhanced by engaging all participants in dialogue that can lead to a common understanding of different opinions and perspectives on the specific topics being presented. Ample opportunity for discussion is provided and all participants are encouraged to become involved. Wrap-up sessions of the CIWs normally include the key, expert presenters who return to the podium as panelists in order to identify the common strategy that will, after the workshop is concluded, need to be engaged in order to address the challenges and opportunities identified in during the workshop.
Some CIWs will differ in format depending on the topic being addressed. For example, political workshops may include smaller number of high level government speakers who, within a limited amount of speaking sessions, can engage directly with the audience regarding very specific issues. Such CIWs will offer a slightly different type of exposure for the participants as well as the individual speakers who are invited to make presentations.
Networking Opportunity
One of the essential benefits of the Critical Issues Workshops is the opportunity to network and engage with other industry experts, customers, public sector specialists and other stakeholders who are interested in the detailed subjects presented at the CIWs. A social event normally is included in the workshop so that participants can meet and engage each other on the subjects being addressed. Additionally, table top exhibition space normally is provided within the workshop venue for equipment and service providers to display information and materials about their specific businesses. Additionally, sponsorship of the workshops is encouraged so that individual companies can enhance their visibility as the CIW is marketed extensively throughout the international markets and during the workshop itself. Sponsors logos remain permanently on the websites where the workshop proceedings are made available to participants and, later, open to any internet visitors.
The first Critical Issues Workshop was:
CNG and Hydrogen Cylinders: Opportunities, Challenges & Strategies
held on the 11-12 March 2008 in Brussels.
The Purpose & Goal of this Critical Issues Workshop:
The reliability and safety of high-pressure gaseous fuel storage systems is an integral part of the success and sustainability of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) and hydrogen vehicles (H2Vs), whether they will be powered by internal combustion engines or fuel cells. As the market for these vehicles expands globally, the need to maintain and enforce quality control of cylinders and the associated technology systems (valves, relief devices, etc.) is critical. Inevitable incidents that occur due to system failures must be handled with scientific integrity so manufacturers and consumers can learn from these experiences in order to improve safety and reliability into the future. CNG & H2 Cylinders; Challenges, Opportunities & Strategies was designed to bring together high-level experts and industry stakeholders to address the very specific and challenging issues facing CNG and hydrogen fuel storage systems. Based upon the critical issues identified over two-half-day sessions, the outcome advanced specific actions and strategies required in the near-and-longer-term future.
The full programme can be downloaded here.
The opening presentation, by Jeffrey Seisler, which provides an over view of the issues that were discussed can be downloaded here.