Hydrogen is being considered as the potential renewable source of energy and the use of hydrogen fuel cells is significant in this context. Discuss their merits and demerits. [150 Words] (10)
Hydrogen fuel cells could change energy production and consumption. They have advantages over fossil fuels, including:
- Hydrogen fuel cells are clean and renewable since they emit only water vapor.
- High-efficiency hydrogen fuel cells convert up to 80% of hydrogen energy into electricity. This is better than gasoline engines, which only convert 30% of gasoline energy into work.
- Hydrogen fuel cells are silent, making them ideal for noise-sensitive applications.
- Hydrogen fuel cells can be refueled in just a few minutes, making them comparable to gasoline-powered vehicles in terms of refueling time.
Hydrogen fuel cells have drawbacks, including:
- Hydrogen fuel cells are costly to make and utilize.
- Hydrogen production and distribution have inadequate infrastructure.
- There are safety concerns concerning hydrogen fuel cells since hydrogen is combustible.
Despite these obstacles, hydrogen fuel cells could shape energy’s future. As the technology advances, hydrogen fuel cells will get cheaper and the infrastructure for hydrogen generation and delivery will improve. This could make hydrogen fuel cells more practical for many applications.