New technologies often require the establishment and introduction of new Codes and Standards. Only when these standards have been implemented, can industry be free to integrate these technologies into society.
Reasons for establishing new codes and standards often occur because either:
- Materials and components are used in ways they were not previously – i.e. methanol in laptop computers required to power direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). This meant that people needed to be able to transport methanol on aircraft. As methanol is toxic, this was previously not allowed. This was not previously an issue, as technologies that required methanol were not required to be carried by passengers.
- New technologies are developed that have different characteristics over existing technologies, such as combined heat and power fuel cell systems. In this circumstance, power is produced as well as heat. In times of excess capacity relative to local consumption, excess electrons needs to be distributed to an electrical grid (National Grid). This requires a number of physical and practical mechanisms that include grid connection, two-way metering, agreement of settlement and reward criteria. All these issues need to be agreed by multiple parties, and there need to be balanced incentives for all
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