New fuel cell energy storage

Can novel fuel cells store electricity from renewables?

Novel fuel cells can help store electricity from renewables, such as wind farms, by converting it into a chemical fuel for long-term storage and then changing it back to electricity when needed. iStock.com/Ron_Thomas

Can hydrogen fuel cell technology save money?

A breakthrough in hydrogen fuel cell technology has substantially lowered costs by replacing platinum metals with silver in catalysts. This marks a significant step towards affordable and efficient green energy storage.

Are fuel cells the future of energy storage?

“Fuel cells are really looking exciting and interesting for heavy-duty transportation and clean energy storage,” said Jaramillo, “but it’s ultimately going to come down to lowering cost, which is what this collaborative work is all about.”

Is hydrogen a suitable fuel for fuel cell technology?

Hydrogen is available in large amount, has a very high energy and burns without harmful emissions. So, hydrogen as a fuel is quite suitable for fuel cell technology. Research is going on vehicles powered by hydrogen (13).

How do fuel cells work?

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy into electrical energy through a controlled redox reaction. They are distinct from batteries in that they require a continuous supply of fuel and oxidant (usually oxygen) to operate, while batteries store their energy internally.

What is hydrogen fuel cells' potential for energy storage?

“Hydrogen fuel cells have really great potential for energy storage and conversion, using hydrogen as an alternative fuel to, say, gasoline,” said Michaela Burke Stevens, an associate scientist with SLAC and Stanford University’s joint SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis and one of the senior authors on the study.