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List Three Uses of Cell Energy

Fuel cell energy is derived from the chemical combination of fuel source and an oxidant to generate electricity. Fuel cells are devices that convert this chemical process into electrical energy. Diesel, methanol and hydrogen are examples of fuel sources, whereas air, oxygen and chlorine are examples of oxidants. Fuel cell use is more eco-friendly than conventional means of energy as they produce no air pollutants and less greenhouse gases.

  1. Transportation Fuel Cell Vehicles

    • The Fuel Cell Technologies Program is developing methods for vehicles to run on fuel cell electricity. Tests for fuel cell buses have been conducted in California. According to the California Energy Commission, these buses began operation in 2005, and initial tests on fuel cell cars saw 95 vehicles travel a total of 222,000 miles on California roads and highways.

    Stationary Fuel Cell Systems

    • The U.S. Department of Energy is developing technologies for the stationary use of fuel cell electricity--generating it and bringing it to homes, hospitals, schools, banks, airports, sports stadiums and state or local government buildings. Fuel cells can store backup energy, and can be used in power plants to create electricity and heat for towns and cities. The benefits of stationary fuel cell uses are cost and energy efficiency.

    Portable Fuel Cell Applications

    • Fuel cells may replace batteries to power laptops, iPods, calculators, cell phones and other portable devices. Fuel cell energy is renewable---as long as there is a continuous supply of fuel and oxidant---and is unlike battery energy, which eventually runs out. According to the fuel cells website, an online fuel cell information resource, fuel cells can power laptops and cell phones hours longer than batteries can---30 days for cell phones and 20 hours for laptops.

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