Peering into the finer details of hydrogen fuel cells for trucks and busses
In hydrogen fuel
cells, hydrogen is fed to the anode while air is fed to the cathode. An anode
catalyst, typically platinum, separates the hydrogen into protons and
electrons, which take different paths to the cathode – protons migrating
through the electrolyte, while electrons power the external circuit. At the
cathode, they both unite with oxygen to produce water and heat.
Simple in theory, in practice there are subtle decisions to be made for any particular application, including what size and design of fuel cell to use, and which control system will get the best from it.
“The key decision
is to select the size of the fuel cell for optimal output,” according to
Spectrum Instrumentation – more of this company later. “Larger cells provide
more power output as there is a larger catalyst surface area, but this
increases the weight and cost, especially with platinum as the typical
catalyst. Adjusting the spacing between the electrodes in the fuel cell stack
and improving the gas flows through the cell can improve the catalytic reaction
and hence the performance instead of increasing size.”
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The global Hydrogen Fuel Cell market was valued at USD
10.49 Billion in 2018 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 21.4% from 2020 to
reach USD 59.81 Billion by the year 2028. Hydrogen fuel cells are known to be
used in a broad range of applications like cars, buildings, electronic devices,
trucks, and/or backup power systems. As those fuel cells can be
grid-independent, they are an attractive option for critical load functions
such as telecommunication towers, data centers, emergency response systems,
hospitals, and even military applications for national defense.
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A Hydrogen fuel
cell is a device that generates electrical power by a chemical reaction via
conversion of fuel (hydrogen) into electricity. Although fuel cells are
considered to be electrochemical cells and consist of similar structures, fuel
cells require an uninterrupted source of oxygen and fuel to run, similar to how
an internal combustion engine that needs a constant flow of gasoline or diesel.
Manufacturers are
zeroing-in on the hydrogen economy as the concern for the environment is
growing. Hydrogen fuel cells are also scalable. They can be combined to form
stacks, which in turn can be combined to form larger systems. These fuel
systems vary in sizes and power, from portable systems for smartphone battery
recharging, to combustion engine replacements for electric vehicles, to large-scale,
multi-megawatt installations providing electricity directly to the utility
grid.
Growth in demand
for electric vehicles is driving the market for hydrogen fuel cells. An
increase in carbon emissions has attracted the government’s attention to the
usage of electric vehicles. Another factor impacting the market is the growing
concern for the environment. The over-exploitation of fossil fuels has created
ecological concerns due to harmful gas emissions. The need for reduced
dependence on oil and diesel are propelling the demand of the market.
Key participants include Toshiba Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Materials Handling Inc., Fuel cell Energy Inc., Intelligent Energy Limited, SFC Energy AG, Ballard Energy Corporation, Plug Power Inc., Bloom Energy Corporation, Hydrogenic Corporation
Further
key findings from the report suggest
- Polymer Exchange
Membrane Fuel Cells uses precious metals like platinum, along with a
polymer for the catalyst. It is known to be preferable over other
technologies so that it can be operated at cooler temperatures that are
between 80 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. It operates between 40%-60%
efficiency, which can also handle large and sudden shifts in power output;
also, they are used in telecommunications, residential markets, and data
centers.
- The
air-cooled type has dominated the segment of hydrogen fuel cell product type
attaining a CAGR of 26.5%. Passing of ambient air either through the
additional cooling plates or cathode is the simplest method of removing
waste heat from fuel cells. Examples like the Suzuki Burgmann fuel cell
scooter which utilizes a 1.6 kW air-cooled stack, and the Microcap H2EV
which utilizes a 3.0 kW Horizon open cathode fuel cell in a battery hybrid
arrangement.
- Hydrogen
fuel cell vehicles also combine the refueling and range of conventional
cars and the recreational benefits of driving on electricity. Refueling a
fuel cell vehicle is compared to refuel a car or a truck. Pressurized
hydrogen is available at hydrogen refueling stations, and takes less than
10 minutes to fill current models.
- The
Asia-Pacific region is emerging as a hub for the adoption of hydrogen
power cell technology with the highest CAGR of 24.6%. The region counts
many countries as pioneers, like Japan, South Korea, and more recently,
China.
- The recent
impetus on the adoption of clean energy sources, and China clamping down
on its coal usage for energy generation has opened a huge market for
hydrogen fuel cells in the region.
- Other
countries, especially India, are at a nascent stage of development and are
expected to be future growth drivers. The North American region also shows
significant promise, as Canada and the U.S move towards investment in
green energy. California has the largest infrastructure base on the
continent and is responsible for significant innovation in technology.
Market Overview:
Power and energy
industry comprises of key companies operating in fuel, petroleum, natural gas,
and nuclear power markets. Constant production of energy and power is
imperative for country’s economic growth. It also covers exploration and
production of oil and gas reserves, oil and gas drilling, and refining
industries. Power and energy sector is one of the most diversified sector
across the globe. Rapid industrialization and urbanization has increased the
dependency on power and energy and industries today consume large amounts of fuel
making energy industry a crucial element of today’s industrial infrastructure.
The report sheds special focus on the factors that propel the growth of the industry. For better understanding, the report segments the Hydrogen Fuel Cell market into key divisions such as types, applications, end-use, technology, region, and others. These segments are extensively analyzed to offer better forecast for the global and regional market and key factors influencing their growth are also covered in the report.
For the purpose
of this particular report, Reports and Data segments the Hydrogen Fuel Cell
market on the basis of: product type, technology, application, and regions
Product Type
(Revenue, USD Million; Volume in Megawatt, 2020–2028)
- Liquid-Cooled
Type
- Air-Cooled
Type
Technology Type
(Revenue, USD Million; Volume in Megawatt, 2020–2028)
- Polymer
Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC)
- Phosphoric
Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC)
- Solid Oxide
Fuel Cells (SOFC)
- Direct
Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC)
- Molten
Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC)
Application
(Revenue, USD Million; Volume in Megawatt, 2020–2028)
- Automotive
- Stationary
- Material
Handling Equipment
- Electricity
- Portable
Power
North
America (U.S.A., Canada, Mexico)
Europe (U.K.,
Italy, Germany, France, Rest of Europe)
Asia
Pacific (India, Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, Rest of APAC)
Latin
America (Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America)
Middle East &
Africa (Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., South Africa, Rest of MEA)
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