Technology Tuesdays: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells

Hello Partners!

Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day was on October 8, 2020.  Although we missed it by a few days, the exciting thing is we can still take this opportunity to learn about it and its potential impact on our daily lives.

A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity by using an electrochemical reaction instead of combustion.  Fuel cells are used nearly everywhere electricity is used: vehicles such as cars, buses, trucks, forklifts, and trains.  Fuel cells are also used to power homes, businesses, grocery stores as well as many others because they are an excellent source of backup power and energy storage.

What makes a fuel cell so awesome is they can provide power much the same way as a battery but can be charged in a fraction of the amount of time it takes to charge a battery.  So, how exactly does one fuel the fuel cell?  The answer is hydrogen and the amazing thing about hydrogen is that it is found in abundance EVERYWHERE!

How do we get Hydrogen?  Hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant element in the universe however, it is rarely found by itself in the form of gas.  Hydrogen, also known as H2, is commonly isolated through the process of electrolysis.  Electrolysis is the process by which water, also known as H2O, which is made up of two hydrogens and one oxygen molecule, is split off from the oxygen molecule.

This is an exciting technology and with all new technology, the price had been a barrier to adoption.  However, fuel cell use is increasing which drives cost down over time.  Who knows, fuel cell vehicles may one day be as popular as plug-in electric vehicles.  We will be watching this closely.

Keep an eye out for more ways to save!

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Sources:
http://www.fchea.org/fuelcells
https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/10-things-you-might-not-know-