Fuel Cell Future – Technology

Fuel cells can already be found everywhere – in laptops, streetcars, airplanes, heating systems and, above all, in automobiles. The huge potential fuel cells offer as efficient and versatile energy converters is now fully recognized. In fact, fuel cell technology is closer to the mass production stage than it has ever been before.

Advanced hydrogen technology applications, such as the use of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC) in laptop computers, or the operation of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) as a private household power plant, are already a reality today. Though the various technologies differ, their principle of operation is the same: An energy carrier (such as hydrogen, natural gas, or methanol) reacts in the fuel cell with oxygen from the ambient air, generating electricity and heat in the process. The Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), which is particularly suitable for use with automobile drive systems, functions in the same manner. This type of fuel cell runs on hydrogen and emits only water vapor.

Fuel cells form a young, global technology market that is growing strongly across a wide range of sectors. The importance of this technology for industry is increasing as more and more fuel cell products move from the development to the mass production stage. The main goal for the coming years is to increase the service life of fuel cells and lower their cost. Although these new energy converters are now fascinating the entire world, the electrochemical principle they are based on was actually discovered in 1839 by William R. Grove. However, it wasn’t until the last 20 years or so that major research advances were achieved and fuel cells became suitable for everyday applications. The technology is benefiting from these developments – and fuel cells are on their way to becoming a key technology for the 21st century.

The most environmentally friendly fuel cells are powered by hydrogen – number 1 in the Periodic Table and also the simplest and most common element on our planet. On Earth, hydrogen normally exists as a gas whose molecules contain two atoms, which is where the abbreviation H2 comes from. These molecules are small and light and have a high energy density. Hydrogen fuel thus forms the key to a sustainable energy cycle: Electrolysis is used to separate hydrogen from the water in which it is contained in a process that converts electrical energy into chemical energy. Electrical energy can then be generated again when hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water, as this process reversal produces electricity and water vapor. Fuel cells offer the most efficient way to exploit hydrogen in this manner.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL

Global Responsibility

Hydrogen can be used an infinite number of times, which means it can be obtained anywhere by “splitting water” with the help of electricity from conventional or – even better – renewable sources. This can be done with electricity obtained onsite – for example, at a wind park located next to an electrolyzer – or with energy generated from renewable sources and supplied by the power grid.

These are the key elements of a hydrogen-based economy that will achieve a new level of quality in terms of supplying people around the world with energy for electricity, mobility, and communication systems. The new level of quality will take the form of significantly lower emissions and independence from fossil fuels and raw materials – particularly when it comes to individual and collective mobility with vehicles. More specifically, it will be possible to produce electric cars powered by fuel cells, like the B‑Class F‑CELL from Mercedes-Benz. These vehicles will leave conventional technologies from past decades in the dust – and are in fact already beginning to do so today. The B‑Class F‑CELL is a highly focused expression of extraordinary expertise and years of research and development work. “Daimler occupies an outstanding position in the international fuel cell sector, and we’re already clearly the best as far as certain aspects of the technology are concerned,” says Christian Mohrdieck, a physicist who serves as the Director of Fuel Cell and Battery Drive Development at Daimler.