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Fuel cells are not like combustion engines, they do not burn fuel to generate power. They produce electricity through a silent electrochemical reaction.
Fuel cells are not like turbines, they do not have noisy, high pressure rotors; in fact they have no moving components.
While they are similar to batteries in structure; they do not run down and require recharging. They operate when gas is supplied to them.
Fuel cells convert the chemical energy in the fuel directly into electricity; and for this reason they are cleaner and more efficient than any carbon-fuelled engine.
There are six different types of fuel cells and generally each one is suited to a different application. Some power up quickly once supplied with fuel and so suit cars and buses, some are tiny and suited to mobile phones, while others take longer to power up, run continuously and so are suited for use in the home, farm or office.
What is so special about Fuel Cells?
Fuel cells are a new energy system for the world.
Precisely because they are so efficient and low on emissions, fuel cells have a very strong future.
They do not encounter the same variable power problems of solar, wind or hydro. They do not produce permanent dangerous waste like nuclear reactors, they do not produce significant amounts of noxious gas or particle emissions like coal fired power stations and some achieve greater fuel efficiency than gas power stations. Nor do they produce large amounts of waste heat like combustion engines or turbines.
Fuel cells are especially attractive for those countries, industries and communities looking to reduce their dependence on oil, coal and nuclear power.
Fuel cells, such as those developed by CFCL, can provide secure and steady electricity to the user. They produce electricity on site, and thereby can be an alternative or back up to the electricity grid.
On-site generation also eliminates losses in transmission and distribution via power lines that can range up from 5%.
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