The fuel typically used in fuel cells is hydrogenand
the oxidant is
typically air. The benefits of utilizing thesereactants
to operate fuel
cells are far-reaching.
Unlike batteries, fuel cells do not store energy
but rather convert
energy, as long as reactants are being supplied.Nofuel
cell
material is consumed in the reaction, and becausethe
fuel is
directly transformed to electricity without combustion,
there is
little waste heat resulting in a high rate ofefficiency.
In broad terms, a fuel cell can be applied toanything
that requires
power in the form of electricity, rotary poweror
heat. It can be used
as a power source for mobile applications (e.g.buses,
trains,
automobiles, ships, and submarines), for stationary
applications
(e.g. power plants, remote power supply, uninterruptible
power
supply), and for distributed residential, commercial
and industrial
power supply. As yet, fuel cells are in the ranksof
a new
technology- however, one that is showing greatpromise
as
technical barriers and high investment costsare
overcome.
Environment
-Fuel cells discharge zero, or extremely low,emissions
of greenhouse gases to the
atmosphere. Other technologies,eg.
internal combustion engines, are incapable of these
minute emissions levels
-In contrast to the devastating effects of anoil
spill, a hydrogen leak into an open
environment would evaporate with the onlyby-product
being water
-In contrast to having to drill for fossil fuels, producing hydrogen does
not require damaging
intrusion on the ecosystem
Supply:
-Reserves of fossil fuels are finite whereas the
supply of hydrogen is unlimited. Planning
now for this reality will prevent serious implications.
Economic:
-Consumers of electricity benefit from the reduced
cost of power because of a fuel cell's
high efficiency
Efficiency:
-Fuel cells produce power at efficiencies farhigher
than conventional power systems -
such as the internal combustion engine. Overall,fuel
cells are expected to have energy
conversion efficiencies between two andfour
times that of conventional energy generation
systems. This efficiency contributes to environmental
benefits.
Domestic Welfare :
-Hydrogen can be domestically produced in largequantities
from natural gas and perhaps
will eventually use fully renewableenergy
resources such as solar, wind or biomass, to
produce pure hydrogen fuel from suitable hydrocarbons.
-Reducing our reliance on oil as a fuel will decrease
our dependence on a political
volatile world region.
-Advancing towards a hydrogen-based economy with
fuel cell technology will create jobs
in plant construction, parts manufacture,
equipment sales and technology development.
