Naslov
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Economy

Autori
Barbir, Frano

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Skup
International Hydrogen Energy Congress & Exhibition

Mjesto i datum
Istanbul, Turska, 13.07.2005. - 15.07.2005

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Pozvano predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Nije recenziran

Ključne riječi
fuel cells; hydrogen economy; commercialization

Sažetak
Fuel cells with applications ranging from power generation to transportation need hydrogen as fuel. Hydrogen is not a source of energy, and hydrogen is not a readily available fuel. Hydrogen is more like electricity – an intermediary form of energy or an energy carrier. However, while electricity infrastructure is already in place, hydrogen infrastructure is practically nonexistent. It is this lack of hydrogen infrastructure that is considered to be one of the biggest obstacles to fuel cell commercialization. Commercialization of fuel cells, particularly for transportation and stationary electricity generation markets, must be accompanied by commercialization of hydrogen energy technologies, i.e., technologies for hydrogen production, distribution and storage. In other words, hydrogen must become a readily available commodity (not as a technical gas but as an energy carrier) before fuel cells can be fully commercialized. On the other hand, it may very well be that the fuel cells will become the driving force for development of hydrogen energy technologies. Fuel cells have many unique properties, such as high energy efficiency, no emissions, no noise, modularity, and potentially low cost, which may make them attractive in many applications even with a limited hydrogen supply. This creates what is often referred to as a “ chicken and egg problem” – does the development and commercialization of fuel cells come before development of hydrogen energy technologies or must hydrogen infrastructure be in place before fuel cells can be commercialized.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Strojarstvo

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