Fuel cells produce electricity and heat from the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. By utilizing the current that’s generated when an electrolyte is placed between electrodes, a fuel cell generates power cleanly and efficiently, without any combustion. Virtually pollution-free, fuel cells differ in many ways from traditional power sources and offer several advantages.
Unlike combustion engines, there are no moving parts inside fuel cells, making them easier to maintain, more reliable and much quieter to operate. Unlike batteries, they don’t decay over time or need recharging and will provide continuous power as (more…)
March 23rd, 2013
You do your part – you go to www.texaselectricityproviders.com to check out what energy providers here are doing about conservation and you give your time to environmental causes. But do you know what technologies aside from stationary fuel cells are making waves when it comes to environmentalism here? These are a few of our favorites:
Windmills: Yes, good old-fashioned wind mills are really making a comeback. They’ve really taken off in the last few years when it comes to alternative energy and you can’t really find a cleaner energy source than wind. They don’t take up too much space or manpower, either.
Solar Energy: Texas is one of the leading states when it comes to solar energy developments for several reasons. Tons of sun and lots of open space don’t hurt but a wealth of academic minds here really makes things easier, too.
Public Transportation: Okay, so this isn’t an energy provider but mass transit is really making waves here in Texas where EVERYONE has a car. With less people on the road less ozone is eroded and that’s a good thing for everyone.
January 23rd, 2012
Reducing carbon footprints has become an imperative goal, with dreams to eventually eliminate them completely. While this concept may seem farfetched, reduction is within our grasp. Stationary fuel cells use fuel and convert the chemical energy into electric energy. The amazing thing is that they do this without combustion. These fuel cells are becoming increasing popular, as oil prices rise and global warming looms in on everyone’s mind. Funding for research and development is ongoing and agencies worldwide are focused on improving these. Currently the efficiency level varies, (more…)
April 27th, 2011
Stationery fuel cells provide us with one of the cleanest forms of energy we can we can use for various purposes. With ever rising cost of fossil fuels and other forms of energy, it is imperative for us to look at some alternative forms of energy to power our devices, cars and homes.
Here we are discussing some benefits of the stationery fuel cells:
Fuel cells are really safe to use
Stationery fuel cells are not hazardous to operate or use. They can even be used as a power source for vehicles and at homes. Fuel cell technology is (more…)
April 15th, 2011
Stationary fuel cells cause smaller emissions than other alternative energy sources to gasoline. Stationary fuel cells are made up of an electrolyte and two electrodes. The function of the electrolyte determines which type the fuel cell is. These cells release electrical energy by converting energy from a fuel. Electricity is caused when the fuel and oxidant each move over an electrode.
The stationary fuel cells are at least twice as powerful as combustion in driving vehicles. A fuel such as hydrogen or hydrocarbon is brought into the anode of the fuel cell. The (more…)
April 2nd, 2011
Japan Today reported on January 14, 2011 that gas suppliers and oil companies in that country are seeking to build approximately 100 hydrogen supply stations in four major cities throughout the country in preparation for the launch of mass produced hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles slated for 2015. America, that’s four years from now. Are we on the same trajectory? The announcement was made in a joint statement with Toyota Motor Corporation, Nissan Motor Company and Honda Motor Company as they signaled their combined efforts to expand into the next generation of eco-friendly vehicles in Japan. Hello? Detroit automotive decision makers? It’s the U.S. economy calling. Japan recognizes that the infrastructure costs are high “with about 600 million yen required to build one hydrogen fueling station” according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. But it seems Japan has its eye on the (more…)
January 22nd, 2011
General Motors (GM) announced on December 8, 2010 its part to test fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen fueling infrastructure in Hawaii. In a release issued by GM it was reported that “ten companies, agencies and universities have joined an initiative between The Gas Company (TGC), and General Motors to make hydrogen-powered vehicles and a fueling infrastructure a reality in Hawaii by 2015.” The plan (called the Hawaii Hydrogen Initiative; or H2I) aims to “integrate hydrogen as an essential building block for Hawaii’s sustainable energy ecosystem.” The GM release further commented that the partners are currently looking at methods to distribute hydrogen through natural and existing pipelines while also addressing the present issue of how to cost effectively produce and (more…)
December 15th, 2010
Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel made by fermenting and distilling starch crops, such as corn. It can also be made from “cellulosic biomass” such as trees and grasses. The use of ethanol can reduce our dependence upon foreign oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Biodiesel is a form of diesel fuel manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant greases. It is safe, biodegradable, and produces less air pollutants than petroleum-based diesel. It can be used in its pure form (B100) or blended with petroleum diesel. Common blends include B2 (2 biodiesel), B5, and B20. B2 and B5 can be used safely in most diesel engines. However, most vehicle manufacturers do not recommend using blends greater than B5, and engine damage caused by higher blends is not covered by some manufacturer warranties. Check with your owner’s manual or vehicle manufacturer to determine the right blend for your vehicle.Natural gas is a fossil fuel comprised mostly of methane, is one of the cleanest burning alternative fuels. It can be used in the form of compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel cars and trucks. Dedicated natural gas vehicles are designed to run on natural gas only, while dual-fuel or bi-fuel vehicles can also run on gasoline or diesel. Dual-fuel vehicles allow users to take advantage of the wide-spread availability of gasoline or diesel but use a cleaner, more economical alternative when natural gas (more…)
November 16th, 2010
Fuel cells are being used to power buses, boats, trains, planes, and forklifts to name a few applications, and most (if not all) automakers are working to commercialize cars. Additionally, there are fuel cell-powered vending machines and vacuum cleaners, and cell phones and laptops are poised to hit the market.As far as stationary fuel cell systems are concerned, the three most popular applications are to (more…)
October 21st, 2010
There are five primary types of fuel cells based on their unique electrolyte use, and each has specific characteristics that make it better in certain applications over others.
- Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) or Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) The electrolyte in this type of fuel cell is an ion exchange membrane made of some type of polymer that is a good conductor of protons. This type of fuel cell runs at low temperatures with electrical efficiencies of about 45, and is the primary candidate for automotive, small stationary, and portable power applications. PEMFCs require very pure hydrogen as the fuel.
- Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC) The electrolyte in this type of fuel cell is phosphoric acid, concentrated to 100. PAFCs have a high operating temperature and achieve an electrical efficiency of about 37-42. Buses and stationary applications currently use PAFCs.
- Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) The electrolyte in this type of fuel cell is usually a combination of (more…)
October 19th, 2010
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