Fuel Cell Technology
What
is a fuel cell?
How
do hydrogen fuel and oxygen produce electrical energy?
What
is the difference between a fuel cell and a battery?
Are there different types of fuel cells?
Fuel and Fueling
Where
does hydrogen come from?
Is
hydrogen a safe fuel?
What
are the benefits of using hydrogen and fuel cells?
But doesn't making hydrogen create pollution?
Doesn't it take energy to make hydrogen? Is it worth doing?
How
far can a vehicle go before refueling?
How much will fuel cost?
Vehicle Programs
How does a fuel cell power a car?
What are the benefits of a fuel cell vehicle?
How are fuel cell vehicles different than electric vehicles or gasoline hybrids?
How can I see the vehicles and learn more?
Commercialization
What
further steps are required in the commercialization of
fuel cell vehicles?
When can we expect fuel cell vehicles to be on the road?
When will a typical customer be able to buy a fuel cell vehicle?
Why is it expected to take so long for fuel cell vehicles to be made available to the general public?
How is the CaFCP related to the Hydrogen Highway?
How is the CaFCP different from the Hydrogen Highway?
Organization
What is the California Fuel Cell Partnership?
What are CaFCP's goals?
What does the California Fuel Cell Partnership "do?"
How are Members and Associate Members determined? And how can I become a Member/Associate Member?
What is a fuel cell?
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that produces electricity efficiently, silently and without combustion. Hydrogen fuel (which can be obtained from water or from hydrocarbon sources such as natural gas, methanol or petroleum products) is combined with oxygen (from the air) to produce electrical energy.
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How do hydrogen fuel and oxygen produce electrical energy?
A Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell is comprised of a plastic membrane coated with a catalyst on both sides and sandwiched between two electrode plates. Hydrogen (from a fuel tank) and oxygen (from the air) are fed through channels in the plates on opposite sides of the membrane. The hydrogen and oxygen atoms are attracted to each other, but only the proton part of the hydrogen atom can pass through the membrane to reach the oxygen. The electron has to take the long way around the membrane to reach the oxygen atom—creating an electric current in the process. The electron is eventually reunited with the proton and an oxygen atom to create water (H 2O).
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What is the difference between a fuel cell and a battery?
Fuel cells and batteries are similar in that they both deliver electrical power from a chemical reaction. In a battery, the chemical reactants are stored within the battery; they are used up during the reaction and the battery must be recharged or thrown away. In a fuel cell, the reactants (fuels) are stored externally, so it will keep producing electricity as long as fuel is supplied. In short, a fuel cell vehicle is refueled instead of recharged.
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Are there different types of fuel cells?
Yes, there are several types of fuel cells. Vehicles commonly use a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell, sometimes referred to as a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel cell. All current CaFCP demonstration vehicles use PEM fuel cells. Other types of fuel cells can be used for stationary sources that generate heat and electricity for buildings. Fuel cells are also being designed for use in portable devices such as laptops and mobile phones. For more information about PEM and other types of fuel cells, visit the US Department of Energy.
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Where does hydrogen come from?
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, and can be found in water, fossil fuels and other sources. It bonds with other elements to form commonly known molecules such as water, methane (natural gas) and methanol. Hydrogen is produced by unlocking the chemical bonds in the molecules that form these substances. The water molecule (H 20), for example, consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to an oxygen atom. One way to produce hydrogen is to break water apart through a process called electrolysis. In this process, electricity is used in the presence of a catalyst to separate the hydrogen from the oxygen in the water. Another approach is to liberate the hydrogen by "reforming" fuels such as natural gas, gasoline or methanol. Currently, our members are exploring many options for producing hydrogen.
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Is hydrogen a safe fuel?
When handled properly, hydrogen is a safe fuel. For many decades, hydrogen has been produced and used for commercial and industrial purposes with an exemplary safety record. Like all fuels, hydrogen has high energy content and must be handled with care. CaFCP’s members are building fuel cell vehicles and fueling stations that meet or exceed safety standards. In addition, our members are defining new safety measures.
Like gasoline and other fuels, hydrogen is flammable. Unlike other fuels, it is very buoyant. With proper ventilation, hydrogen dissipates rapidly into the air, greatly reducing the chance of fire. Hydrogen is non-toxic, so if released it does not present a health hazard to humans and its effect on the environment is benign.
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What
are the benefits of using hydrogen and fuel cells?
Three main benefits of using hydrogen and fuel cells are:
- Zero tailpipe emissions—a hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle has no polluting exhaust. Its only tailpipe emission is water vapor. In addition, fuel cell vehicles are quiet, reducing noise pollution in busy urban areas.
- Potential for reducing carbon emissions—hydrogen can be produced from water with renewable energy, such as solar or wind power. This presents an opportunity for zero-carbon transportation, because the fuel creates no carbon emissions in either its production or use (or from “well-to-wheel.”). Today, most hydrogen is produced from natural gas, and when it is used to power a fuel cell vehicle, the well-to-wheel carbon emissions are significantly lower than those from a comparable gasoline vehicle.
- Energy diversity—because hydrogen can be obtained from many sources and can be produced by many methods, hydrogen presents the opportunity to develop a more diverse and sustainable energy supply portfolio, leading to greater energy security.
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But doesn't making hydrogen create pollution?
Yes, but the amounts are very low. When considering total emissions associated with producing a fuel and using it in a vehicle, overall the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle has significantly lower emissions than a gasoline car when the hydrogen fuel is made by reforming natural gas or biomass, or by electrolysis using renewable power. This is true for smog-forming pollutants, particulate matter and carbon dioxide. When producing hydrogen by electrolysis using electricity from the grid, the carbon dioxide and particulate matter emissions associated with a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle are higher, but these emissions can be controlled more easily from a single source (the power plant) than from millions of individual gasoline cars. To look at these issues in greater detail, click here.
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Doesn't it take energy to make hydrogen? Is it worth doing?
Like all fuels, it takes energy to produce hydrogen and deliver it to a vehicle. The amount of energy required depends on how the hydrogen is made—some methods require more energy than others. While it may take more energy to produce and deliver hydrogen than it takes to produce and deliver gasoline or natural gas, the hydrogen fuel is used more efficiently in the fuel cell vehicle. Therefore, the overall “well-to-wheels” energy usage can be much lower for hydrogen used to drive a fuel cell vehicle than for gasoline or natural gas used to drive a conventional internal combustion vehicle.
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How far can a vehicle go before refueling?
Right now, automakers are working to optimize the technology and fuel storage systems. Today’s early test and demonstration vehicles usually have ranges of 200 miles or less, depending on the fuel capacity used for these prototypes. When fuel cell vehicles are ready for commercialization, driving range is expected to be in the 300-mile range, similar to current commercial cars.
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How much will fuel cost?
Because this is a technology that is still in development, it’s hard to give a definitive answer. Our energy company members are working to provide a fuel that is comparable in price to conventional fuels. That means creating storage, distribution and delivery networks as well as producing hydrogen fuel. One thing to keep in mind is that a fuel cell vehicle is at least twice as efficient in using energy than a gasoline vehicle, so whatever the price is, you’ll go twice (or more) as far on the equivalent of a gallon of gas.
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How does a fuel cell power a car?
Fuel cell vehicles operate similarly to the vehicles you drive today, with performance (speed, acceleration, handling, etc.) that is as good or even better than current vehicles. Instead of using an internal combustion engine to create mechanical energy, a fuel cell creates electrical energy. The electricity from the fuel cell powers an electric motor and the entire drivetrain—quietly, efficiently and with impressive responsiveness.
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What
types of vehicles are being demonstrated?
Fuel cell vehicles come in all shapes and sizes. In California, we have fuel cell passenger cars, SUVs and buses. The passenger cars include:
- Daimler's F-Cell
- Ford's Focus FCV and Edge
- GM's HydroGen3 and Equinox
- Honda's FCX
- Hyundai's Tucson FCEV and Kia Sportage FCEV
- Nissan's X-Trail FCV
- Toyota's FCHV Highlander
- Volkswagen's Touran HyMotion and Audi A2H2
The fuel cell transit buses include the hydrogen-fueled Van Hool buses powered by UTC Power fuel cells and used by AC Transit and SunLine, and Gillig buses powered by Ballard fuel cells and used by the Santa Clara VTA.
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What are the benefits of a fuel cell vehicle?
The most immediately apparent benefits of fuel cell vehicles are high fuel economy (at least twice that of a gasoline car), quiet operation, fast acceleration and zero tailpipe emissions. The electric drivetrain of an FCV provides other benefits, too. Fuel cells create plenty of on-board power for devices such as GPS, DVD players and any other auxiliary system you can dream of, plus off-board power for campsites, worksites or even your house.
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How are fuel cell vehicles different than electric vehicles or gasoline hybrids?
Fuel cell vehicles are electric vehicles. But unlike battery-electric cars, in which a limited amount of electricity is “stored” in the batteries, fuel cell vehicles use hydrogen stored on-board the vehicle to generate electricity. This means they can have a greater driving range. Fuel cell vehicles and battery-electric vehicles are both zero-emission vehicles, and both are very efficient in their use of energy.
Hybrid vehicles, like the gasoline/electric hybrids available today, combine two energy sources for supplying driving power. Many FCVs are also hybrids, using hydrogen to generate electricity and batteries or ultracapacitors to store excess electricity generated from the fuel cell or braking (called “regenerative braking”).
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How can I see the vehicles and learn more?
We conduct many public events featuring fuel cell vehicles throughout California, including periodic Ride&Drive events. Individual automakers plan their own public activities, too. See CaFCP's website calendar for details. In addition, we have public tours of our West Sacramento headquarters on the fourth Friday of every month from 1p.m. to 3p.m. To make a public tour reservation, please send an e-mail to info@cafcp.org or call (916) 371-2870.
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What further steps are required in the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles?
CaFCP’s members are working toward five major goals to achieve commercialization of fuel cell vehicles.
- Proving the reliability and durability of fuel cells for use in real-world vehicle applications.
- Reducing the cost of building fuel cell systems to be competitive with today's internal combustion engines.
- Investing in hydrogen fuel infrastructure.
- Increasing vehicle driving range by improving how hydrogen is stored on-board vehicles.
- Conducting public education to build understanding of and demand for fuel cell vehicles.
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When can we expect fuel cell vehicles to be on the road ?
Fuel cell vehicles are already on the road in demonstration programs in California. CaFCP estimates that its members will have approximately 300 fuel cell cars and buses operating in demonstrations in the state by 2007. To support these demonstration vehicles, a number of hydrogen fuel stations have been installed in Northern and Southern California, and the state has launched the California Hydrogen Highway Network to help expand the fuel stations to support more hydrogen vehicles.
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When will a typical customer be able to buy a fuel cell vehicle?
Currently, fuel cell vehicles are only offered as part of fleet or other limited customer demonstration programs. Some automotive companies hope to deliver the first fuel cell vehicles for consumer use within the next decade.
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Why is it expected to take so long for fuel cell vehicles to be made available to the general public?
Hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles are part of a long-term strategy to reduce pollution and increase energy security, not a quick fix solution. The technology is still under development, along with the hydrogen fuel infrastructure to support it, codes, standards and others elements needed for commercial introduction. As with other new technologies, it takes time to introduce them into the market.
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How is the CaFCP related to the Hydrogen Highway?
California’s Hydrogen Highway Network plan is a forward-thinking initiative to help provide Californians with clean, sustainable energy by moving the state toward a hydrogen economy. The California Fuel Cell Partnership supports the vision and the goals of the Hydrogen Highway, and applauds the State for its action.
The California Fuel Cell Partnership and some of its members actively participated in the development of the Hydrogen Highway plan by providing input to the state’s advisory teams. We will continue to provide expertise and knowledge that comes from our members’ on-the-ground, practical experience with fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen fuel as the plan moves forward.
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How is the CaFCP different from Hydrogen Highway?
CaFCP and the Hydrogen Highway Network are different, but complementary programs. The Hydrogen Highway Network is a plan for creating infrastructure to provide hydrogen as a clean, environmentally friendly fuel source for a variety of needs, including fuel cell vehicles, internal combustion vehicles, buildings and other stationary sources.
CaFCP is focused on the demonstration and operation now and in the coming years of fuel cell vehicles, and hydrogen stations to support those vehicles. Our government and industry members actively collaborate to develop experience and technical expertise about fuel cell vehicles in operation, fueling operations, and the interface between them. Our on-going contribution of this experience will help make the Hydrogen Highway Network a success.
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What is the California Fuel Cell Partnership?
The California Fuel Cell Partnership makes California home to a remarkable collaboration of 33 members comprised of auto manufacturers, energy companies, technology companies and government agencies. This collaborative is advancing and evaluating a new vehicle technology that could move the world toward practical and affordable environmental solutions.
CaFCP—which started in April 1999—includes auto manufacturers (Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen), energy providers (BP, Chevron and Shell Hydrogen), technology companies (Ballard Power Systems and UTC Power), and government agencies (California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, National Automotive Center, South Coast Air Quality Management District, US Department of Energy, US Department of Transportation and US Environmental Protection Agency).
The team also includes Associate members who assist with specific areas of expertise. They are: AC Transit; Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.; Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis; ISE Corporation; National Fuel Cell Research Center - UC Irvine; Powertech Labs; Praxair; Proton Energy Systems, Inc.; Santa Clara VTA; SunLine Transit Agency and Ztek.
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What are CaFCP's goals?
CaFCP's goals are to:
- Demonstrate vehicle technology by operating and testing the vehicles under real-world conditions in California
- Demonstrate the viability of alternative fuel infrastructure technology, with hydrogen fueling stations
- Facilitate the path to commercialization
- Increase public awareness and enhance opinion about fuel cell vehicles
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What does the California Fuel Cell Partnership "do"?
Through our technical and outreach teams, the members and staff of the CaFCP engage in specific projects and activities that:
- Help our members place fuel cell vehicles and fuel stations in demonstration programs throughout the state
- Promote fuel station interoperability ("common-fit" protocols)
- Promote practical codes and standards
- Prepare communities for vehicles and fueling stations, and train first responders
- Coordinate with other fuel cell vehicle demonstration programs worldwide
- Enhance public awareness and understanding
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How are Members and Associate Members determined? And how can I become a Member/Associate Member?
All our members are actively involved with fuel cell vehicle programs in the state of California. Full members provide vehicles, fueling stations or fuel cell technology. Associate members provide related technology, expertise and practical experience.
We do not actively seek new members, but consider proposals annually at our fall meeting. If your organization wants to be considered for membership, please submit a letter detailing the ways in which your organization is actively involved in demonstrating hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles in the state of California, specifically describing the added contributions you will make that will promote the CaFCP’s goals. Send letters to the California Fuel Cell Partnership, New Member Information, 3300 Industrial Blvd., Suite 1000, West Sacramento, CA 95691.
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