Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group
Fuel Cells
Hydrogen fuel cells convert hydrogen and oxygen into water by reverse electrolysis. They rely on a store of hydrogen but take oxygen from the air. The reaction creates electricity and heat.
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Interesting Facts
- Fuel cells were first invented in 1839, but until recently they have been difficult and expensive to build.
- Today the technology can power buses and cars, heat water and provide electricity.
- Since 2004, London has been involved in a pioneering project to reduce air pollution and noise by testing the first generation of zero emission fuel cell buses.
- Honda Motors launched a new hydrogen powered fuel-cell vehicle in Japan and the United States in 2008.
Benefits
- Fuel Cell Vehicles are very quiet.
- The only waste products are water and heat.
- Fuel cells have a higher efficiency than diesel or gas engines.
- Most fuel cells operate silently.
Downsides
- Production, transportation, distribution and storage of hydrogen can be difficult.
- Producing hydrogen currently uses a lot of non-renewable energy.
- Some fuel cells use expensive materials.
- The technology is not yet fully developed and few products are available – it will be some time before hydrogen is as freely available as petrol is now.
- Hydrogen is flammable.