fuel cells to be used to tackle energy crisis

http://tribune.com.pk/story/692681/fuel-cells-to-be-used-to-tackle-energy-crisis/

ISLAMABAD: In order to combat the prevailing energy crisis, a national centre for hydrogen and fuel cell will be established soon. This will be a promising renewable energy technology that will offer prospects for low-carbon economy.

The deployment of fuel cells promises sustainable economic development with minimal environmental consequences which can be used at homes, in grocery stores, warehouses, commercial and industrial structures.

The fuel cells are widely regarded as the major means of converting hydrogen to energy and play a role in realising aspirations for a ‘hydrogen economy’, an official said.

This concept covers a range of ideas where hydrogen plays a major role in clean energy systems for the future, he added.

“The ability to operate fuel cells from fossil fuels, through biomass-based fuels to renewable sources, means that they could support all steps in the transition to a hydrogen economy based predominantly on renewable energy sources.”

The official said there is practically no limit to the deployment of fuel cells on technical grounds. The use of Alkaline Fuel Cells, Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells, Proton Exchange Member Cells/Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells and Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells range in efficiency from 55% to 60%.

He said this technology was increasingly being used worldwide for diverse applications in space programmes, power generation and transport.

Transport applications include motive power for cars, buses and other fuel cell passenger vehicles, specialty vehicles, material handling vehicles like forklifts and auxiliary power units for highway and off-road vehicles.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2014.

And also:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-07/fuel-cells-have-been-a-long-time-coming-and-they-re-still-coming.html

Fuel Cells Have Been a Long Time Coming. And They're Still Coming

General Electric Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Immelt said his company has been developing fuel cell power for 30 years.

It’s actually been more than 50. General Electric started designing fuel cells for spaceflight in 1962.

Fuel cell technology is on a slow boil. The idea itself goes back to the middle of the 19th century, and only in the last couple of years have technology and commerce begun to each other in a meaningful way.

The hydrogen-powered cars promised us a decade ago by President George W. Bush and his predecessors are inching closer. But real progress is coming in less-sexy endeavors -- forklifts and back-up power, to name two.

Even as companies are finding some uses for the technology, the U.S. Energy Department is continuing to invest in basic research. The agency plans to award $30 million in research grants for systems designed to power homes and businesses by September, said Cheryl Martin, acting director of the Advance Research Projects Agency -- Energy. She and Immelt spoke at the Bloomberg New Energy Finance conference in New York today.

The hope is that more research will lead to cheaper, more efficient and more dependable power.

“We’re hoping to get some really innovative applications,” Martin said in an interview. “We want to push the boundaries of fuel cell technology to improve grid reliability and resiliency.”

The Energy Revolution Is Gaining Momentum! All Aboard!