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Summary
Most of the fuel cells in this market tend to be PEM fuel cells due to their increased power density and quick start up time. PEM Fuel Cells require a pure hydrogen fuel source, and in this case on a distributed basis much like the petrol stations of today. As there is currently no established hydrogen infrastructure, the main focus is on fleet vehicle applications, as they generally return to one central place which can be used as the primary refuelling point.
There have been a number of trials in applications including Unmanned Aerial vehicles (UAV) over Africa, Auxiliary Power Units (APU) in trucks and cars, primary power for planes, boats, submarines, trains, cars, motorcycles and fork lift trucks. However for most automotive applications a battery / fuel cell hybrid drive train is considered to be the most suitable option. The fuel cell is being used essentially as a battery recharger and thus a range extender for the vehicle.
California and Japan are leading this area of the industry largely as a product of their proximity to target market and willingness to invest in hydrogen refuelling stations. The demand by industry and the military to use current fuels and liquid fuels (more easily stored & transported than hydrogen) has lead to the development of reforming technologies for the majority of fuels (eg. NG, Propane, Methanol, Petrol, Diesel, JP-8). High temperature fuel cells are being used in transport, but are more applicable to those applications where slow start up time and reduced tolerance to being cycled on and off are insignificant. These applications tend to be APU's in cars, boats and trucks to supply the extra power requirements such as refrigeration units, TV’s and onboard computers. In some instances hydrogen ICE vehicles have also been considered to facilitate the introduction of H2 infrastructure and raise awareness of, and education about hydrogen.
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Applications (Considering currently available technology)
- Fork lift trucks,
- Airport terminal electric vehicles (elderly assistance vehicles)
- Plane side Airport vehicles – airplane tugs, luggage trucks, crew transport vehicles
- Buses
- Delivery trucks
- Golf carts / utility vehicles
- Trams
- Trucks APU
- Boat / yacht
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Advantages (application specific)
- Potentially emission free
- Longer running time for electric vehicles (range extention)
- Electric motors have faster acceleration from standing than ICE engines
- Very quiet operation
- Quicker ‘recharge’ time than standard electric vehicles.
- Reduced oil leaks
- Reduced heat signature
- Odourless emissions
- Can run on renewable fuels
- Fuel cells are the most efficient energy conversion devices for converting hydrocarbon fuels into electricity
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