What are the benefits of a hydrogen fuel cell?
The U.S. Department of Energy describes hydrogen as a versatile carrier that can be used to power nearly every end-use energy need. According to the DOE, the fuel cell – an energy conver-sion device that can efficiently capture and use the power of hydrogen – is the key to making that happen. The DOE states that fuel cells have the potential to replace the internal combustion engine in vehicles and provide power in stationary and portable power applications because they are energy-efficient, clean and fuel-flexible. Hydrogen-powered fuel cells are pollution free – the only byproducts are pure water and heat – and can have two to three times the efficiency of traditional combustion technologies. “Hydrogen can play a particularly important role in the future by replacing the imported petro-leum we currently use in our cars and trucks,” according to the DOE Hydrogen Program. According to the DOE, the gasoline engine in a conventional car is less than 20 percent efficient in converting the
