Fuel cells have negligible emissions
What is the conventional method of power generation?
The basic function of any power generation system is to convert energy from any other form into electricity. The most popular energy generation mechanism is based on burning fossil fuels—that is, converting chemical energy into mechanical energy for rotating turbines. The turbine then rotates the rotor of a generator, which finally converts the mechanical energy to electrical energy—electrons flowing in a conductor, like copper wire. These combustion-based power generation systems are subject to the laws of thermodynamics and hence have a predetermined cap on the maximum efficiency defined by something called the Carnot Limit.
How is the fuel cell different?
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen and oxygen in a way that electrons are produced in a single step. These are then directed outside the cell to do work, like powering an electric motor or illuminating a light bulb or a city and finally return to the fuel cell, completing an electrical circuit as well as a chemical reaction which has water as the byproduct. The energy generation is not based on thermodynamics and hence fuel cells are more efficient in extracting energy from fuel. Apart from this, there are negligible emissions and very little noise and hence these cells are also good for the environment. In simple terms, it’s like the everyday battery. But unlike a battery, which stores the chemical inside it and hence has to be charged again and again, the fuel cell works on a mechanism that allows continuous supply of fuel and hence can work for years.
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen and oxygen in a way that electrons are produced in a single step. These are then directed outside the cell to do work, like powering an electric motor or illuminating a light bulb or a city and finally return to the fuel cell, completing an electrical circuit as well as a chemical reaction which has water as the byproduct. The energy generation is not based on thermodynamics and hence fuel cells are more efficient in extracting energy from fuel. Apart from this, there are negligible emissions and very little noise and hence these cells are also good for the environment. In simple terms, it’s like the everyday battery. But unlike a battery, which stores the chemical inside it and hence has to be charged again and again, the fuel cell works on a mechanism that allows continuous supply of fuel and hence can work for years.
But why don’t we use them then?
The concept of fuel cells is not new to physics and does not involve any recently developed or discovered principles. Since the 1960s, various countries have been using them for their space programmes. The catch, however, is that they are extremely expensive and a viable design for a fuel cell for commercial purposes has eluded scientists and inventors for years. The conventional methods remain cheaper for generating electricity. Billions of dollars have been spent in the effort to come up with a method of making fuel cells cheaper.
The concept of fuel cells is not new to physics and does not involve any recently developed or discovered principles. Since the 1960s, various countries have been using them for their space programmes. The catch, however, is that they are extremely expensive and a viable design for a fuel cell for commercial purposes has eluded scientists and inventors for years. The conventional methods remain cheaper for generating electricity. Billions of dollars have been spent in the effort to come up with a method of making fuel cells cheaper.
Why is fuel cell technology suddenly in news?
Bloom Energy, a US-based firm researching on eco-friendly methods of energy generation, has unveiled an innovative fuel cell technology called Energy Server priced $800,000, which can be used for generating electricity for big corporate houses. K R Sridhar of Bloom Energy has talked of the concept of refrigerator-sized fuel cells which the firm has named Bloom Boxes.
CLEAN POWER: Bloom Energy CEO K R Sridhar with a fuel cell
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