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Fuel Cell Technology: Prospects, Promises and
Challenges
In the last four decades, fuel cell technology has taken man to the
moon and back. And while space exploration has marked the most
visible demonstration of fuel cell technology benefits to date, the
future is filled with endless possibilities.
In the not-too-distant future, fuel cells will change how we live our
everyday lives. They will power our vehicles, homes and office
buildings more efficiently and with significantly less impact on the
environment than fossil fuels. Fuel cell technology could end energy
shortages and reduce U.S. reliance on imported oil.
However, four important challenges must be addressed before
practical fuel cell use can become a reality. They are hydrocarbon
fuel reforming, storage, cost and infrastructure development.
Hydrocarbon fuel reforming
The change from an oil-based (gasoline, natural gas) infrastructure
to one based on hydrogen cannot happen overnight. It will require a
transition period to ease society out of the familiar and comfortable
oil-based economy and into the new one based on hydrogen.
Hydrocarbon fuel reforming can facilitate this transition.
Technology that uses the existing oil-based infrastructure (gasoline
and gas stations, natural gas and pipelines) to power fuel cells will
make it easier for consumers to move to the new hydrogen-based
technology. It will allow consumers to use a fuel source that is
familiar and readily available and, at the same time, become
accustomed to an entirely different energy source. Hydrocarbon
fuel reforming also allows added time to create a hydrogen
infrastructure.
Storage
We often take for granted how safely our vehicles can carry 400
miles worth of fuel and how easy it is to replenish that supply.
Automotive researchers are looking for ways to make hydrogen
tanks as space-efficient as gasoline tanks and as easy to refill.
They are studying several different hydrogen storage systems:
compressed, liquid and carbon nanostructure storage, and metal
hydride.
Learn more about hydrogen storage challenges >>
Cost
While the cost of fuel cell stacks has decreased tenfold in just three
years, the price is still too high to gain commercial support for use
in vehicles, homes and businesses. Fuel cells require precious
metals for catalysts and expensive polymer membranes. Engineers
continue to look for solutions in alternative applications, such as
smaller amounts of catalysts and less costly polymer membranes.
Learn more about the costs of fuel cell development >>
Infrastructure
