Fuel Cells
Fuel Cells seem to be
talked about as the solution most appropriate for the hydrogen powered
vehicle. This might be so, but it seems that the Fuel Cell would be most
appropriate put to use as a means to convert the hydrogen carried in natural
gas
into electricity and heat.
Graphic
courtesy of Plug Power
Used as a combine
Heat and Power (CHP) unit, the fuel cell's energy conversion efficiencies
approaches 80%. In addition to this efficiency, the emissions from the
fuel cell are almost zero, offering us the possibility of carbon free heat
and power.
This amazing conversion
efficiency could be coupled with Clean Coal to Gas
conversion technology or Gas Hydrate extraction technology provide us with means to unlock all the coal
or gas deposits in the world without unleashing biblical climate change.
Combine this point of use
electricity generation with the electric car and we can very quickly move
the world to a carbon free, low emission energy system.
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Fuel Cells
Gas Hydrates