Fuel Cell Applications

 Fuel Cell Applications

○ Hydrogen fuel cells can be scaled for use in a variety of applications—large and small, stationary and portable:

○ Small, portable fuel cells (20–100 W) can power cell phones, laptops, MP3 players, and other electronic devices

○ Medium-sized portable fuel cells (8–125 kW) can propel cars, trucks, buses, and speciality vehicles like forklifts

○ Small stationary fuel cells (1–5 kW) can power homes and supply backup power for telecommunications and emergency response radio towers

○ Large stationary fuel cells (200 kW–10 MW or more) can generate base-load electricity and heat.

○ Very large stationary fuel cells (1–200 MW or more) can distribute electricity across the existing grid

Combined Heat and Power

○ Fuel cells can generate power not only to meet base loads but also to run combined heat and power systems. These systems take advantage of the waste heat produced by the fuel cells to heat water and warm living or working spaces.

Fuel cells will find perhaps their most important use in transportation. Fuel cells can be used to power a variety of vehicles, from family cars, long-haul trucks, and transit buses to trains, planes, and boats.

○ More than 50 fuel cell buses have already hit the road in demonstration projects around the world. Fuel cells are efficient, so even if the hydrogen they run on is produced from fossil fuels, fuel cell buses can reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

○ Modern heavy-duty trucks are equipped with many electrical appliances, including computers, televisions, stereos, refrigerators, microwaves, heaters, and air conditioners. To power these devices when trucks are parked, drivers often idle their engines—a practice that’s unnecessary when using onboard fuel cells as auxiliary power units.