1 - Why portable electricity with hydrogen fuel cells?

Abstract

Reasons for the application of hydrogen and fuel cell in portable power systems are given. The fuel-cell energy generation concept has fundamental properties that may improve and complement current portable energy generators, mostly batteries, in many consumer applications. Fuel cells may become a solution to improve performance, autonomy, and safety of future portable devices. By analyzing the fundamental properties of batteries and fuel cells, it is concluded that both electrochemical devices may have a complementary role in future portable electronics. Batteries will be more appropriate for low-power applications (<1–10W), incompatible with small amounts of water emission. Upon increasing power requirements, the use of fuel cells becomes increasingly profitable and safer. Fuel cell systems may require the use of auxiliary power sources (batteries or supercapacitors) to cope with their high sensitivity to surrounding conditions and for the start-up power generation. Hydrogen and fuel-cell system will be also more appropriate for portable application requiring long-term energy storage.