Hydrogen Fuel Cell
A hydrogen fuel cell is an advanced energy conversion device that
combines hydrogen-bearing fuels (e.g. hydrocarbons) with airborne oxygen in an
electrochemical reaction to produce electricity extremely efficiently and with
minimal release of GHGs, as compared to use of fossil fuels (CEC 2008). During
the process, chemically generated hydrogen electrons are directed through a
circuit to generate electricity. They ultimately combine with oxygen to produce
only water and heat as waste products; waste water and heat could, in theory, be
captured and used for other purposes (http://www.fuelcells.org). Worldwide, fuel cells of various sizes already
power experimental cars and buses, provide electricity in remote locations and
fuel dreams of a zero-emissions hydrogen-fueled economy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell). A hydrogen-fuel replacement of fossil fuels
could reduce global GHG emissions by 50 percent (Schultz et al. 2003). However,
for the widespread use of hydrogen as a fuel to become reality, some major
problems must be resolved: providing the energy in the cell that performs the
chemical reaction (this currently requires input of fossil fuel or nuclear
power, although researchers would like to extract hydrogen from biomass);
difficulties with storage and transportation of hydrogen (the smallest
molecule), with unknown consequences for the atmosphere (Schultz et al. 2003);
unknown effects of emitting water vapor
as a waste product; and the need for an entirely new fueling and service infrastructure,
nationwide. Despite challenges, self-contained fuel cells are available for
purchase (e.g. http://www.sfc.com/en/), mostly modestly-sized units to be used for remote-location power
generation. More than 50 hydrogen car models are on the market and California
has been funding initiatives to build fuel stations for its “Hydrogen Highway
Initiative” (http://www.hydrogencarsnow.com/hydrogen-highway.htm). At present, there are more than 20
hydrogen filling stations in the state but none in the North Coast; one is planned
for Arcata in Humboldt County. See “Alternative Transportation.”
Citations:
California Energy Commission (CEC) Renewable Energy Program. 2008. Commission Guidebook, 2nd Edition. CEC-300-2007-003-ED2-CMF. Pages 16-24. http://www.energy.ca.gov/renewables/documents/index.html
Schultz, M.G., T. Diehl, G.P. Brasseur, and W. Zittle. 2003. Air pollution and climate forcing impacts of a global hydrogen economy. Science 302(5645): 624-627.
