Projected Cost Curve per kW of Installed Capacity

Each of the various types of fuel cell systems provides challenges that must be addressed if the systems are to be successful. For example, PEM fuel cells require the use of platinum catalysts. Platinum is both expensive and scarce. (Rubidium can be used in place of platinum, but this metal is at least as expensive and scarce as platinum.) With regard to price, one fuel cell manufacturer stated that the cost of platinum in a medium-sized fuel cell sold by his company was less than 100. This cost would not appear to be a very significant factor in fuel cell cost. However, if the number of fuel cells manufactured increased materially, significant rises in the price of this precious metal could well occur. Research is currently underway both to find ways to replace the platinum with a more abimdant catalyst or to use platinum more efficiently. 

A number of fuels have been proposed for fuel cell operation, e.g., methane, methanol, propane, and hydrogen gas. In reality, all of these fuels must be converted into hydrogen ions for the fuel cell to operate. Although many mobile applications envision the use of hydrogen gas as a fuel, most current stationary fuel cell systems use reformers to convert the base fuel. Given the existing methane infrastructure, fuel supply does not appear to be a significant problem. 

Fuel cells can be used to provide propulsion or auxiliary power for many transportation applications. PEM fuel cells are most applicable to transportation due to their low operating temperature, fast startup time, and increasingly high energy density. 

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