article · Cleaner Energy Systems
This review provides an integrated assessment of fuel cell technology by examining its technical performance, environmental effects, and economic viability. It evaluates various fuel cell types and components, such as membranes, alongside practical uses extending beyond transport to distributed generation, combined heat and power systems, and remote power supplies for telecommunications and off-grid sites. The review quantitatively assesses the emissions footprint of hydrogen production via fuel cells and electrolysers against traditional generation methods. In addition, it analyses market growth forecasts, investment patterns, and flagship commercial projects. Key barriers to broader adoption are explored, including membrane development, operational performance hurdles, infrastructure demands, and application-specific limits. Finally, the work considers cost-effective, high-performance materials and fuel flexibility to support the integration of renewable energy into the power grid.
Understanding the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of fuel cells is essential for building sustainable energy infrastructure. By comparing emissions against conventional hydrogen production and identifying critical obstacles in materials and infrastructure, this evaluation assists policymakers and researchers in planning investments, advancing clean off-grid power solutions, and successfully integrating renewable energy sources into existing electrical power grids.
Fuel cell technology spans multiple market stages, from flagship commercial projects in electric vehicles and combined heat and power systems to off-grid telecommunications power. While certain applications are already deployed commercially, full-scale market rollout remains constrained by high material costs, membrane durability challenges, and incomplete infrastructure. Energy providers, telecommunications operators, and transport manufacturers can use these market forecasts and technical benchmarks to guide investments in hydrogen adoption.
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• A detailed analysis of the technical aspects, performance, and applications, is presented • The environmental impact of hydrogen generation through fuel cell/electrolyzer is quantitatively assessed • Economic considerations of fuel cell technology adoption are explored through an extensive examination of market growth and forecasts • The paper analyses the challenges, limitations and the impact on research/ commercialization of FC technology. • This paper serves as a tool for academicians and policymakers, providing a directed and comprehensive FC perspective. In the pursuit of establishing a sustainable fuel cell (FC) energy system, this review highlights the necessity of examining the operational principles, technical details, environmental consequences, and economic concerns collectively. By adopting an integrated approach, the review research into various fuel cells types, extending their applications beyond transportation and evaluating their potential for seamless integration into sustainable practices. A detailed analysis of the technical aspects, including FC membranes, performance, and applications, is presented. The environmental impact of hydrogen generation through fuel cell/electrolyzer is quantitatively assessed, emphasizing a comparative emission footprint against traditional hydrogen generation methods. Economic considerations of fuel cell technology adoption are explored through an extensive examination of market growth and forecasts, and investments into the FC systems. Some flagship commercial projects of FC technology are also discussed along with their future prospective. The article concludes with a thorough analysis of challenges associated with FC adoption, encompassing membrane research, performance hurdles, infrastructure development, and application-specific challenges. This all-round review serves as an indispensable tool for academicians and policymakers, providing a directed and comprehensive FC perspective. FCs have a range of practical applications, including in vehicles (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles - FCEVs), distributed power generation, and combined heat and power (CHP) systems. They also offer solutions for remote power needs, such as telecommunications infrastructure and off-grid locations, providing reliable and clean energy. This research builds on previous work by reviewing cost-effective, high-performance materials and optimizing fuel flexibility. It advances the understanding of hydrogen economy systems and contributes to the integration of renewable energy into the power grid.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.cles.2024.100168
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