Characteristics of the Fuel Cells

Increasing Expectations for Fuel Cells as a Next Generation Energy Source

High Power Generation Efficiency

In conventional electricity generation, the energy inputted for generation is converted to thermal energy or kinetic energy to turn turbines to produce electrical energy. Transmission loss occurs in the parts where this thermal energy is converted into kinetic energy, and then into electric energy.
In fuel cells, because the energy inputted for generation is converted directly to electric energy, energy loss during conversion is minimized and electricity generation efficiency is increased.

Advanced Energy Saving Features

Large-scale power stations are located far from the places where the electricity is consumed. Because of this, the thermal energy produced during electricity generation cannot be put to use, and is discharged as exhaust heat.
Because fuel cells are of a size able to be situated in households, they can generate power for each home as it is needed, store the thermal energy produced during electricity generation in thermal storage tanks and use it to heat water or for heating, and therefore are highly efficient at saving energy with some 70% of the energy inputted available for use.

Advanced Environmental Features

Because fuel cells generate electricity without burning fuel, hardly any harmful gases, such as nitrogen oxide (NOX), are emitted and emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) can also be reduced. In a total evaluation of the impact on the environment, fuel cells have environmental features greatly advanced over electricity generation at a power station.
In addition, because there are few mechanical moving parts, vibrations and noise due to operation are also reduced.

Diverse Fuel Supply Sources

The fuel used in the fuel cells is hydrogen, so it is possible to extract it from various sources, such as city gas, LP gas, kerosene, methanol and naphtha, meaning that existing infrastructures for fuel supply can be utilized.
In addition, it has become possible to create hydrogen from various supply sources which have no impact on fossil fuels, such as from biogas given off from raw garbage, etc.

Increasing Expectations for Fuel Cells as a Next Generation Energy Source

In the policy for natural resources and energy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, in the measures for new energy, it states:
In the field of fuel cells, in which research and development is gaining momentum in private enterprises, measures for enhancement and expansion will be taken to realize the practical use of fuel cells and hydrogen energy, aimed at bringing about practical usage and the realization of medium- and long-term objectives for installation within 3 years.
(Quote from the FY 2003 Natural Resources and Energy Budget, Summary of Estimated Requirements)

As can also be seen from the above, the use of hydrogen energy, with the practical application of household fuel cells and fuel cell automobiles, signifies a paradigm shift from a society that burns fossil fuels, to a society based around hydrogen. While this will bring about great changes, even changing the economic structure itself, these measures also portray a vision hinting at fresh possibilities for clean and circulatory energy for the future.