Hydrogen Fuel Cell is a fuel cell that uses the chemical energy of hydrogen gas (H2) and oxygen gas (O2) as fuels to cleanly and efficiently produce electricity from the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst, without combustion. The Hydrogen Fuel Cell produces the electricity, water, and heat in which a catalyst at the anode separates hydrogen molecules into protons and electrons that takes different paths to the cathode. The electrons go through an external circuit, creating a flow of electricity where the protons migrate through the electrolyte to the cathode, and unite with oxygen and the electrons to produce water and heat that is a big improvement over internal combustion engines and nuclear power plants in which produces harmful by-products.
Reference Definition by Solareis.anl.gov: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells are also not strictly renewable energy resources but are very abundant in availability and are very low in pollution when utilized. Hydrogen can be burned as a fuel, typically in a vehicle, with only water as the combustion product. This clean burning fuel can mean a significant reduction of pollution in cities. Or the hydrogen can be used in fuel cells, which are similar to batteries, to power an electric motor. In either case significant production of hydrogen requires abundant power. Due to the need for energy to produce the initial hydrogen gas, the result is the relocation of pollution from the cities to the power plants. There are several promising methods to produce hydrogen, such as solar power, that may alter this picture drastically.
Related Definitions in the Project: The Renewable Energy; Hydrogen Fuel Cell; Energy Definitions
