As the world reaches the end of its reliance on the now almost depleted non-renewable resources like coal, oil and natural gas, and petroleum, the energy sector is scrambling to find renewable sources of energy. And one hope that could save the future’s energy needs lies in hydrogen fuel cells. Although the use of fuel cells to power cars, homes and businesses has popped up fairly recently, the technology itself has been around for more than a century already.
It was first discovered by Sir William Grove in 1839; however, the practical devices in which it can be used were not yet invented that time. Then in the late 1950’s, Harry Karl Ihig invented a tractor that runs on fuel cell. Around that time, NASA started using fuel cells for its space programs, leading to a significant improvement in the use of technology.
How Do Hydrogen Fuel Cell’s Work?
Hydrogen fuel cell is an energy conversion device that can efficiently capture and convert the chemical energy in hydrogen to electricity – with only pure water and heat as the only byproducts. This means that hydrogen fuel cell is not only renewable but also pollution free.
If it is that promising, then why do energy companies are slow to adopt? Well, there is no perfect energy source, and like the others, hydrogen fuel cells have its own advantages and disadvantages.
List of Pros of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
1. Readily Available
Hydrogen as a fuel source is readily available and unlimited, and unlike fossil fuels, it can never be depleted.
2. Clean
As mentioned the only byproducts that hydrogen fuel cells will produce is water and potentially useful heat. In fact, the water produced by hydrogen fuel cells is used as drinking water in the International Space Station (ISS).
3. Long-Term
NASA and the ESA in the ISS have been using hydrogen fuel cells for decades, proving that the technology can work for long term. In addition, car tests have proven that this renewable energy source can deliver higher level of fuel efficiency compared to diesel and gasoline.
List of Cons of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
1. Technological Barriers
According to the U.S. Department of Energy Office and Power (DEOP), the biggest hindrance with the use of hydrogen fuel cells is the enormous amount of energy needed to produce it. The existing technology used is not sufficient to produce hydro fuels. Most hydrogen today is produced from natural gas, which is not a lasting solution.
2. Expensive
To turn hydrogen into energy, you will need “as much electricity twice the tonnage of coal, twice the number of nuclear plants, or twice the field of PV panels to perform an equivalent unit of work,” according to the DEOP.
Conclusion
Hydrogen power cells prove to be a promising source of energy that can provide us unlimited electricity to power or vehicles, computer, homes and businesses. However, the enormous technological and economic barriers it faces have to be addressed first before it can become a viable energy source.