Fuel Cell Uses
It’s the age of technology, and we demand clean energy
Fuel cells are a much cleaner energy source since they rely on electrochemistry, instead of combustion. This process of electrochemistry is what makes fuel cells more environmentally-friendly, efficient, and cleaner. The main by-products from varying fuel cells include: heat, and a minimized release of carbon dioxide. It is important to note that this small release of CO2 is much smaller than that which is released by combustion driven sources. When used adequately, fuel cell technology proves to be 60 – 90% efficient!
Fuel cell technology is being used for a variety of processes already, and has a promising potential for a variety of future applications. The three main markets of fuel cell technology includes: stationary power, portable power and transportation. The future of fuel cells is looking bright and clean!
Stationary Power
The main reason for incorporating stationary power of fuel cell technology onto your property as a main source of power is to save money and to reduce your carbon footprint. Also, some models can serve as a backup power for critical, required loads. Fuel cells may even be used as a supplement to your current power, thereby by offsetting high rate tariffs associated with your energy consumption.
Fuel cells are an excellent way to green a residential property because they can save you up to 50% on your utility expenses, and during 24/7 operation they work tirelessly creating the power you need. In addition, homeowners can significantly benefit from the thermal energy produced by fuel cells. This energy can be used to heat residential water, pools or spas, and indoor living areas.
This clean technology may also be easily used for commercial or industrial properties. Fuel cells are capable of supplying your property with the necessary amount of energy to run a variety of office electronics, hospital equipment, or even the energy necessary within universities and schools. Fuel cells may truly be the solution for high traffic areas during storms since they do not experience surges or blackouts. In addition, various types of fuel cells can run off biomass, which makes them a great additional to areas like landfills which generate anaerobic gases and could use the produced electricity.
Transportation
Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are not unheard of. In fact, many large auto manufacturing companies are already experimenting with their capabilities; it’s amazing that its taking so long considering the internal combustion engines (ICE) are only 20% efficient. Imagine getting 3 to 4 times the fuel efficiency without having to be crammed in some goofy-looking little car. FCV have the potential to reduce our dependency on foreign oil and all the environmental impacts associated with crude oil as a whole. Since FCVs run on hydrogen driven fuel cells, the tailpipe exhaust emits no toxic chemicals.
Honda has been leasing out their FCX Clarity, a fuel cell vehicle, to a limited number of people in California and parts of Japan. This vehicle has earned EPA-certified fuel economy of an astonishing 60 miles per gallon. Automakers believe that FCVs such as this are only a few years away from being available to the public.
FCVs look like the average car from the exterior, but check out the interior of this Honda model.
Portable Power
The EPA estimates that approximately 6% of annual utility energy is being used to charge portable devices like media players, cell phones, and other small technologies. In addition, this is considering all the “vampire” energy being consumed by the plugged in phone and PDA charges. It is believed that fuel cell technology may be the long-lasting alternative to modern day batteries.
One of the main advantages micro or portable fuel cells have to a common battery is the fact that fuel cell energy comes from an external source that is not placed within the fuel cell itself, unlike batteries. This can prove to be safer for consumers and technologies since overloads and shortages are prevented from occurring. This is especially true because cell phone batteries have been known to explode, imagine that as your ring tone! In addition, the running time of devices charged with fuel cells is many more hours longer than that of conventional batteries. Such fuel cells may ultimately replace batteries in cell phones, laptops, and other portable devices.
At this time numerous prototypes are being produced to measure the efficiency of such fuel cells. On example being the Angstrom Motorola cell phone pictured below.
ClearEdge Power Attends TED2010 and Unveils the ClearEdge5 Fuel Cell
This unique conference brings together three distinct worlds: Technology, Entertainment, and Design.
Getting Started
If you plan on incorporating a fuel cell system onto your property first determine your budget and then decide on the size of your specific project. Many states offer various incentives for clean and renewable energy sources, so make sure to determine if you are eligible for any rebates at dsire.org.
Our recommendation is to look for companies that offer commercial and residential installation—search our GreenPages for fuel cell providers such as ClearEdge Power.
Learn More
10 Quick Ways to Green Your Home
Hiring a Home Improvement Professional
September 30th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Seriously being able to walk around with a portable charger all day and not having to find an outlet like at the airport would be so much more easier! I look forward to this technology making it out into the market…. hopefully soon!
September 30th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
I’ve been in the auto industry for years…. this hybrid technology is exciting, but to take it to another level such as this fuel cell introduction… just proves that sometimes reinventing the wheel isn’t such a bad idea!
September 30th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Great video clip.. Clear Edge.. are they a new company? How long have they been working on this fuel cell development? Please forward me any info on their history… very intriguing.
September 30th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Now this is a better use of fuel cells I think…. if you’re going to invest in clean technology then make it applicable to cars. That’s smart– they cost the most to maintain, pollute the worst of almost any industry and don’t hold any value. But add fuel cell tech to it and it makes more sense.
September 30th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
I believe that this is the beginning of a very fuel conscious economy which it should have been more of for some time now. This is the kind of stuff that people need to jump on and embrace. SAving emissions, money, energy… all of it. Kudos to these companies. Hopefully many more to follow….
October 4th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
I can’t wait for the first fully powered fuel-cell car, or better yet, SUV! Now THAT would be amazing!
November 3rd, 2010 at 8:19 am
Cars with fuel cells make more sense. If it lasts longer and cuts down on fossil fuels then why not?
November 3rd, 2010 at 8:21 am
Are there any other specific models that fuel cells are being implemented into currently that we can know about? I’d be interested to watch for them.