Environmental groups throughout the world have long been advocating the need for alternative, sustainable energy sources. The traditional method of generating electricity, by burning coal, is highly inefficient, consumes the earths dwindling resources of fossil fuel, and produces detrimental emissions including nitrogen and sulphur oxides and the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Research to replace fossil fuel power generation is focused on
fuel cell energy technology that uses hydrogen as the fuel.
Choose Fuel Cells For A Cleaner Future!
Unlike fossil fuels like coal, the supply of hydrogen that is derived from water seems to be infinite. The production of fuel cell energy does not result in the emission of harmful by-products. The simple principle behind fuel cells has been known for about 150 years: a basic cell consists of a cathode and an anode separated by an electrolyte material. When oxygen is pumped into the cathode and hydrogen into the anode, a chemical reaction takes place and electric current, heat and water are produced. Fuel cells do not store electrical energy but current continues to be generated as long as oxygen and hydrogen are available to the system. While the energy output of a single fuel cell is low, stacks of cells can be connected. For example, a stack of 96 fuel cells in a space shuttle generates 28 volts of direct current, sufficient energy to power the space vehicles internal systems. Work to improve the efficiency of fuel cell technology is focused on the materials used as electrolytes. Some of the electrolytes used in fuel cells are polymer membranes, phosphoric acid, molten carbonate and solid-oxide ceramic materials.
Fuel cell energy has been used to provide power for a variety of applications including passenger vehicles and buildings such as schools and hospitals. Research continues into ways of adapting the technology for other functions such as larger installations to generate base load power for communities, and small portable cells to power consumer products such as cell phones. As an efficient, clean, sustainable energy source, the fuel cell has a promising future.
