Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generator Efficiency

If the fuel cell is powered with pure hydrogen it has the potential to be up to 80 percent efficient.

Hydrogen fuel cell generator efficiency.

A nrel composite data product 8 fuel cell system efficiency b panasonic headquarters news release launch of new ene farm home fuel cell product more affordable and easier to install c g. One kilogram of hydrogen has almost as much energy as a gallon of diesel fuel but per unit of. Fuel cell cars are very similar to traditional gasoline powered cars. Department of energy hydrogen fuel cells are generally between 40 60 energy efficient.

The typical operating efficiency of a fuel cell running at 0 7 volts is about 50. That is it converts 80 percent of the energy content of the hydrogen into electrical energy. The hydrogen fuel cell requires 2 3 times more energy to drive the same distance as the overall well to wheel efficiency is from 25 35. However we still need to convert the electrical energy into mechanical work.

This range compares to the typical internal combustion engine of a car which is about 25 energy efficient. For a comparable price pem fuel cells can deliver the same generating capacity as diesel generators. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles which use electric motors are much more energy efficient and use 40 60 percent of the fuel s energy corresponding to more than a 50 reduction in fuel consumption compared to a conventional vehicle with a gasoline internal combustion engine. This is accomplished by the electric motor and inverter.

While the price of a pem fuel cell is similar to that of an equivalent diesel generator the cost of the fuel the systems use is not. Mulder et al market ready stationary 6 kw generator with alkaline fuel cells ecs transactions 12 2008 743 758 d doosan purecell model 400 datasheet e fuelcell energy dfc300 product specifications. This means that 50 of the energy content of the hydrogen input is converted into electrical energy. In the case of the hydrogen powered e car the losses are.

The electrolyzer s membrane and catalysts work to take advantage of an electrochemical reaction in order to separate the oxygen and hydrogen molecules of water. Similar to today s gasoline vehicles fuel cell electric cars can have a driving range of more than 300 miles on one tank of hydrogen fuel. They can refuel in just a few minutes and the fueling experience is almost identical to a gas station. Hydrogen can then be utilized to power a fuel cell stack.