The Role of Fuel Cells in Generating Clean Power and Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The Kyoto Protocol and the Clear Skies Initiative of the USA are both aimed to achieve significant global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, which is beneficial for the application of fuel cells. Fuel cell technology provides high thermal efficiency and is environmentally benign. Current global fuel cell development is focused on mobile and stationary power applications; PEM fuel cells are used as hybrid power sources in transportation; auto manufacturers are offering PEM fuel cell-based hybrids combined with gas engines; and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology is being developed globally. The US Department of Energy (DOE) is sponsoring the Solid Oxide Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA) program, and a multiyear project to demonstrate coal-based SOFC. These systems aim to achieve 50% efficiency from coal, capture 90% of CO₂ emissions, and cost $400/kw. The SOFC technology is driven towards commercial deployment because of its high thermal efficiency and environmentally superior characteristics.