Fuel cells and the hydrogen economy

The application of gold as an electrocatalytic component within the fuel cell itself has to date been limited primarily to the historical use of a gold-platinum electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction in the Space Shuttle/Orbiter alkaline fuel cells (AFC)88 and the recent use of gold for borohydride oxidation in the direct borohydride alkaline fuel cell (DBAFC).89,90 Electrocatalysts with lower cost, improved carbon monoxide tolerance and higher 

This approach would also potentially have two other advantages over current technology. First, if platinum loadings could be reduced, it could produce a welcome reduction in the capital cost of fuel cell catalysts. In recent years, prices for platinum have significantly exceeded those for gold 

Work related to the foregoing global problems is supported as a rule by government funds in the context of national projects or programs conducted in individual countries or groups of countries (such as the European Union). Progress in fuel cell work has been helped decisively worldwide by the scenarios described above. 

Things actually go further than that. To be the basic source of energy for the consumer, hydrogen in such an economy would have to be a major energy vector 

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Fuel cell and hydrogen businesses already support over 800 jobs in the UK. Forecasts of commercial salesgivea global market size of above 20 billion in 2011.There isan opportunity forthe UKto build a sizeable industry, centred on fuel cells and the hydrogen economy, covering all stages of the value and supply chain. 

Presently the United States consumes 26% of the world s oil production. Automotive fuel cells that are commercially accepted will be the ultimate use for fuel cells as the hydrogen economy and infrastructure is developed. 

Bossel, U. and Eliasson, B. (2003). Energy and the hydrogen economy. European Fuel Cell News, January 2003. www.efcf.com/reports. 

In this chapter, I have focused on the commercialization of stationary fuel cells because it may be relatively close at hand. Equally important, this is a market for which there is a great deal of real-world experience and data. In contrast, the path to commercialization for transportation fuel cells—and the ultimate realization of a hydrogen economy—will take much longer and is far more speculative. The chapters that follow will examine the technical and logistical challenges involved in bringing about a hydrogen economy. 

Larry Bums, General Motors Corporation, Fuel Cell Vehicles and the Hydrogen Economy, presentation to the committee, June 11, 2003. 

The modified perspectives in the sections below relate to fuel cells (liquid and gaseous), engines, fuel cells integrated with engines, hydrogen sources and the hydrogen economy. 

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