Fuel Cells, A Technology Forecast

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• Implications for Texas Community and Technical Colleges.
• Authored By: Dr. John Vanston and Henry Elliott.
• Program Director: Michael A. Bettersworth
• 90 Pages
• Published June 2003.

Over the last decade, interest in fuel cell technology has grown steadily and projections of future progress have been increasingly optimistic. The practical applications for fuel cells fall into two general categories-power for vehicles (primarily automobiles) and production of electric power. The development of a significant fuel cell automobile industry will require extensive retooling of current production lines; the development of hydrogen production, storage, and distribution systems; advances in technology sufficient to compete with a mature internal combustion system; and acceptance of the public of an unfamiliar technology. There are few employment opportunities for automotive fuel cell specialists within the next three to eight years. The situation for electric power fuel cells as it applies to CTCs is quite different. There are driving forces in place that could result in a viable fuel cell power industry in the relatively near future. In general, fuel cell systems are more expensive, have shorter operating lives, and are less well understood than traditional generating sources. However, there are certain situations, such as in mines and other restricted working areas, where fuel cells provide special, almost essential characteristics. There are other situations, such as areas with particularly difficult environmental problems or where cheap hydrogen is available, in which fuel cells offer distinct advantages. There are indications that fuel cell costs are nearing the point where they will be cost effective in these situations.