SEMINAR SYNOPSIS

ON
FUTURE SOURCE OF ENERGY
FUEL CELL

GURU TEGH BAHADUR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

(Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University)

SUBMITTED BY:
MANMEET SINGH
02513204911

FUTURE SOURCE OF ENERGY

FUEL CELL

ABSTRACT

Presently worlds energy needs is largely met by fossil fuels. Rapid industrialization and economic
growth witnessed in the past century demanded large amount of energy and this resulted in faster
depletion of fossil reserves. In future, not far from now, the fossil fuels will become scarce and costly.
Other disadvantage is the environmental degradation. Still energy needs are growing in developing
countries at a steady rate. Hence, mankind is continuously searching for a lasting solution for energy
needs which will also be environmentally friendly. Fuel cells could be a major and necessary source of
energy within a decade. They have great potential as the basic elements of large and small stationary
power plants and as the source of electricity for vehicles and smaller devices. Their size and shape are
flexible and adaptable. They are modular, have no moving parts, operate without combustion, are
comparatively efficient and reliable, and are nearly silent, generally do not pollute the environment, and
are quite safe.
The future of power and transportation will change dramatically when fuel cells become the main
producers of clean energy. The car will no longer be an environmental burden, and the electrical grid will
be subdivided to the neighborhood and building level. The quality and reliability of this alternative energy
source will be superior to the current grid design. Fuel cells and hydrogen technology will make all of this
possible, and with little or no pollution.

INTRODUCTION
Fuel cells are important future sources of electrical power and could contribute to a reduction in the
dependence on fossil fuels. They are electrochemical devices similar to a battery and consist of a
container, an anode, a cathode, catalysts, an intervening electrolyte, and an attached electrical circuit. In
most fuel cell systems, hydrogen is supplied to the anode and oxygen to the cathode which results in the
production of electricity, water, and heat. Fuel cells are comparatively efficient and reliable, have no
moving parts, operate without combustion, and are modular and scale-able.
Every fuel cell also has an electrolyte, which carries electrically charged particles from one electrode to
the other, and a catalyst, which speeds the reactions at the electrodes.
Hydrogen is the basic fuel, but fuel cells also require oxygen. One great appeal of fuel cells is that they
generate electricity with very little pollutionmuch of the hydrogen and oxygen used in generating
electricity ultimately combines to form a harmless byproduct, namely water.

REFERENCES
1. www.fuelcelltoday.com
2. International Fuel Cells, A United Technologies Company, 2000a, How does a fuel cell work?:
http://www.interna-tionationalfuelcells.com/fuelcell/how_fl.shtml
3. Electro-Chem-Technic, 2001, Fuel Cells: http:// www.ectechnic.co.UK/FCS.HTML
4. Society of Automotive Engineers, 2001, Fuel cell technology showcase: http://fuelcells.sae.org/