Fuel cells - the alternative power

摘要

What do you do when there is no access to mains grid power and renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, are not an option? In remote locations, connecting to the mains power is often either prohibitively expensive or just not possible. Renewable energy, such as wind turbines or solar panels, are only capable of supplying power intermittently and can be unsuitable in locations where they have a negative impact on the environment. Generators and batteries require regular visits to site to refuel or swap-out, which is costly in staff time, fuel and carbon emissions. But there is an alternative: fuel cells. A fuel cell is like a battery except that instead of recharging it, it is refuelled like a generator. Put simply, a fuel cell generates electricity by reacting fuel and air without burning.