Page 187 - CW E-Magazine (26-9-2023)

Special Report

Fuel cell technology: Development, challenges and

future directions

AbstrAct Fortunately, various clean energy VARUN DUBEY
uel cells are devices that con- sources have emerged as promising Email: varun.dubey0701@gmail.com
vert chemical energy from a contenders to address our electricity
Ffuel source into electrical energy needs while reducing environmental technology. They operate with high
through an electrochemical process. impact. Other renewable, clean energy efficiency, no greenhouse gas emissions
They have the potential to revolutionise sources to note are ocean, geothermal, (except the emissions from using fuels
the energy industry by providing clean, and fusion, the last of which is still a other than hydrogen, such as natural
efficient, and sustainable energy. In decade away from supplying electricity gas) and can be used for various app-
this article, we will explore the diffe- to consumers. lications, from stationary power gene-
rent types of fuel cells, their advantages, ration to transportation. In this article,
and their potential applications in vari- A majority of the sources of electri- we will delve into the viability of fuel
ous industries. We will also discuss the city mentioned are intermittent, depend- cells as a promising alternative to fos-
current state of fuel cell technology and ing on the availability of resources such sil fuels, examining their efficiency,
the potential for future developments. as wind, or sunlight. For this reason, environmental benefits and exploring
they cannot be fully implemented with- the potential for widespread adoption.
Need for clean energy out considering viable electricity stor-
In our energy-dependent world, age options. Examples of such storage Furthermore, a specific variant of
the greenhouse gases emitted from our options include pumped hydro, which the fuel cell, the Microbial fuel cell,
heavy reliance on fossil fuels have led stores excess energy by pumping water may also be a viable option for renew-
to the looming threat of climate change. uphill and releasing it through turbines able energy generation, converting the
The effects of this are felt on a global when needed. Thermal storage is another chemical energy stored in bio waste
scale, with warming temperatures and energy storage option. Electricity can into electricity. Additionally, it acts as
damage to ecosystems and biodiver- be used to heat up some material, which a clean alternative solution to dealing
sity. A staggering 27% of greenhouse can later be used to generate power via with waste from plants and animals,
gas emissions originate from electricity a heat engine. Batteries are also used which usually involves using methane
generation alone. Therefore, reducing to store energy, commonly for usage in from the waste’s decomposition as a
emissions caused by electricity genera- vehicles. fuel source to generate electricity.
tion plays a crucial role in solving cli-
mate change. With 51 billion tonnes of What are fuel cells? chemistry of fuel cells
carbon emissions every year, seeking Among these alternatives for clean
clean alternatives that can power our energy storage, fuel cells have garnered Voltaic cells
societies sustainably and reach net zero considerable attention for their poten- A voltaic cell consists of two half
emissions is imperative. tial as a clean and sustainable energy cells, one in which oxidation occurs
table 1: Alternative clean energy sources
source characteristics
Solar Solar energy harnesses the sun’s power through photovoltaic cells, converting sunlight directly into electricity. It possesses
many benefits, such as low long-run costs, since operational costs are relatively low after the initial investment of purchasing
the solar cells. It is geographically versatile, as the sun is a resource that is available in most areas.
Offshore Offshore wind farms leverage the strong and consistent winds found at sea and have the benefit of being near major cities
wind along the coast, reducing transmission problems. The use of offshore wind has increased 25% annually in the past three
years, making it a promising alternative.
Nuclear Nuclear fission utilises controlled nuclear reactions to produce heat and generate electricity. It is more resource efficient to build
fission nuclear power plants compared to building a majority of other clean energy sources, taking up much less material per unit of
electricity generated.
Hydro Hydro energy harnesses power generated by water in motion. However, the power density is low, limiting its potential
applications.

Chemical Weekly September 26, 2023 187

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