{"id":10401,"date":"2022-12-14T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-14T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.plugpower.com\/?p=10401"},"modified":"2024-02-26T11:25:43","modified_gmt":"2024-02-26T16:25:43","slug":"fuel-cells-what-they-are-and-how-they-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.plugpower.com\/blog\/fuel-cells-what-they-are-and-how-they-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Fuel Cells: What They Are and How They Work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Plug has a long, celebrated history in fuel cell technology \u2014 crafting innovative solutions across the energy value supply chain as global businesses work to decarbonize their operations.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"GenDrive<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As green hydrogen fuel cells become both increasingly viable and vital as an energy choice in the age of climate change, those in sectors ranging from automobile, retail, electric utilities, and agriculture \u2014 among others \u2014 have all shown increased efforts to green their portfolios and play a part in catapulting climate solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With recent U.S. Congressional action accelerating tax incentives for fuel cell applications, and multiple countries aiming to emulate an energy strategy backing fuel cells\u2019 growth, fuel cells remain top-of-mind for many business leaders and policymakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a fuel cell anyway? How does a fuel cell work in a car and other power applications? Further, what are the various fuel cell types? And what\u2019s the difference between a battery and a fuel cell?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These questions and their answers speak directly to the core of Plug\u2019s business model and customer offerings in the fuel cells space. Further, they touch upon the inherent advantages in our proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells technology, offering us a sector-wide advantage due to their wide utility in both stationary and mobility power generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some answers to often-pondered questions about fuel cell technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Fuel Cell?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A fuel cell is an electrochemical power generator. Fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity with water and heat generated as byproducts. Fuel cells, like a battery, create energy via an electrochemical process and not combustion. But like an internal combustion engine, fuel cells also intake fuel sources and generate a chemical reaction to produce power, yielding energy in an array of use cases. That fuel resource, in Plug\u2019s case, is hydrogen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do Fuel Cells Work?<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fuel cells, summed up, consist of three main components: An anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane, working akin to batteries in that they don\u2019t need charging. Instead, operating continuously provided fuel is supplied into the mechanism. Those three components interact, in turn, intaking and through putting energy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plug\u2019s PEM fuel cells<\/a> function by passing hydrogen through the anode side of the mechanism mentioned above. Oxygen, from the air around us, is passed through the cathode side. Hydrogen molecules then split into electrons and protons on the anode side. Protons next pass through an electrolyte membrane (hence PEM). From there, electrons move through a circuit, generating current and excess heat. At the cathode side, the protons, electrons, and oxygen combine to produce water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This video shows how the process works: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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