Hydrogen Fuel Cell Article Summary

A fuel cell is a device which converts the chemical energy of a fuel into electrical energy, by chemically reacting that fuel with an oxidant in an electrochemical reaction. The most common fuel used in fuel cells is hydrogen gas, with oxygen gas being the most common oxidant. The three main applications for fuel cell technology are in transportation, portable devices, and stationary installations (Fuel Cells). Stationary applications for fuel cells include being used as reliable energy sources in hospitals, homes, schools, airports, military bases, and hotels. Fuel cell technology could also be integrated into portable devices such as cellphones, laptops, and hearing aids. Furthermore, due to the high energy efficiency of fuel cells, fuel cells could be used to power cars and other vehicles in the future. Fuel cells have several major benefits, as compared to conventional fossil fuel combustion technologies. Other than producing electricity, the only by-products created by hydrogen fuel cells are water and heat. This enables fuel cells to create fewer quantities of greenhouse gases and air pollutants than combustion technology. Moreover, hydrogen fuel cells are able to convert the chemical energy in fuels to electrical energy at an ideal efficiency of 83% - far greater than the energy efficiency of burning hydrogen for heat in a generator (Nave). According to fuel cell researcher Jack Brouwer, There isn't another technology that can do this, produce power at this high efficiency at this low emissions at that small a scale. (as cited in Soto, 2010). Currently, many fuel cell technologies have not entered commercialization due to three main problems: cost, durability, and reliability. Due to their high cost, fuel cells would not be able to compete on the market with other conventional energy technologies (ex. combustion engines). One of the main reasons behind the cost of fuel cells is due to a vital component called a catalyst (a substance that helps speed up a chemical reaction), which is composed of expensive platinum. Furthermore, the success of fuel cell technology will also depend on how long the fuel cells will last, and how often the fuel cells will break down (Soto, 2010). Other problems associated with fuel cells are that hydrogen gas, the main fuel used in fuel cells, is very difficult to store and distribute. As well, due to the lack of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, it would also become difficult to integrate fuel cell technology in vehicles. Despite these challenges, several technological advances are being made with hydrogen fuel cells, as many companies are determined to perfect fuel cell technology. The US federal government, as well as several states (ex. California), have passed several pieces of legislation to help promote fuel cell technology as an alternative to fossil fuel combustion technology, which will be crucial in boosting fuel cells in the coming years. Overall, hydrogen fuel cells are an innovative and remarkable technology, which we may see entering the global market in the near future.

References Fuel Cells. (n.d.). National Geographic. Retrieved April 3, 2012, from environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/fuel-cell-profile.html Nave, R. (n.d.). Electrolysis of Water and Fuel Cell Operation. Georgia State University Department of Physics & Astronomy . Retrieved April 3, 2012, from http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/thermo/electrol.html Soto, O. (2010, March 7). Fueling the future: Fuel cells show promise. The San Diego UnionTribune, pp. 22-24. Retrieved April 3, 2012, from the Canadian Points of View Reference Centre database.