A fuel cell produces direct current electricity by passing a fuel, typically hydrogen, over an anode and an oxidant, usually oxygen from the air, over a cathode. Unlike a battery, which stores energy and must be recharged, a fuel cell will continue to generate power as long as fuel is supplied. The only byproducts of a standard hydrogen fuel cell are heat and pure water, making it a zero-emission power source for vehicles and stationary backup systems.
We're installing a 500-kilowatt fuel cell to provide uninterruptible power to the data center.
Do not mix it up with
- Battery: A battery stores chemical energy internally and depletes it, while a fuel cell generates electricity continuously from an external fuel supply.
Related terms
PEM
A polymer electrolyte membrane acts as a semipermeable barrier in fuel cells to conduct protons.
Enzymatic fuel cell
A type of fuel cell that uses biological enzymes instead of inorganic metals to catalyze the chemical reaction.
Synthesis gas
A fuel gas mixture consisting primarily of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and some carbon dioxide.