Fuel Cell Technology Promises Power to Vehicles, Businesses
As the automakers work to meet greater fuel efficiency and tighter emissions standards, GM unveiled the first gasoline fuel processor for fuel cell propulsion, which may be able to increase the energy efficiency of its vehicles by 50%, according to The Associated Press.
Some experts believe fuel cells will hold the answer to the trucking industry’s search to meet more stringent clean-air standards.
The Gen III processor extracts hydrogen from gasoline to power vehicles at approximately 40% overall efficiency, much greater than that of the typical internal combustion engine. The Gen III is combined with a fuel cell stack in the vehicles.
Using similar technology, the generator extracts hydrogen from gasoline, natural gas or methane, and mixes it with oxygen from the air. The fuel cell then converts it to electricity.
GM researchers believe these fuel cells could replace the use of power grids because multiple homes could feed off one cell, which could be set up to run off of the natural gas already delivered to houses, the Associated Press reported.
This technology has the potential to eliminate all power failures, saving businesses frustration and lost work time.
Allied Business Intelligence reported that fuel cell availability will be less than it expected in 2003 and 2004, mainly because of technical and economic challenges that have yet to be met by industry players.
According to Reuters, GM hopes to begin mass production of fuel cells for the auto industry by 2008.
ABI expects 4.3% of all autos, 2.4 million, to run on fuel cells by 2011.
The greatest problem proponents of the fuel cell technology will face is how to store hydrogen, which is more volatile than gasoline and natural gas.
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