Uniqueness of fuel-cell packages

Fuel-cell packages are highly efficient at generating electricity.

Recent economic growth has been achieved by rapidly consuming energy from limited amounts of fossil fuel. The CO2 released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burnt in existing power plants contributes substantially to global warming. Given the above backdrop, fuel-cell packages, which are highly efficient and environmentally friendly, are attracting attention.

High efficiency

Conventional methods of generating power, which use fossil fuels, burn fuel to generate heat which causes water to boil and produce steam. The steam is fed into a turbine to rotate it. Finally a generator coupled to the turbine rotates to generate electricity. Such methods of generating power convert chemical energy into thermal energy and kinetic energy into electric energy. The losses incurred during those energy conversion processes reduce the amount of energy available for power.

The use of fuel-cell packages increases the amount of energy available to consumers because fuel-cell packages generate electricity through a chemical reaction of fuels with fewer losses.

When conventional methods of generating power are used, transmission losses are so high that only about 35% of the energy generated at a power plant is available to consumers as electric power. Such transmission losses can be kept to a minimum by installing fuel-cell packages at or near places where electric power is needed. Additionally, fuel cells generate exhaust heat as well as electricity, which can be used to advantage. These characteristics of fuel-cell packages give them an overall efficiency of 80%.

Conventional methods of generating power

Fuel-cell-package methods of generating power

Environmentally friendly

The high efficiency of fuel-cell packages allows users to reduce CO2 emissions.