Fuel Cells - in View from Applications

Fuel cells have a high potential to store a higher amount of energy in comparison to lithium ion accumulators and other secondary batteries. About all this euphoric assessment of the potential of this technology sometimes the cost and state of the art facts fail in oblivion. On this we look carefully on prices and requirements from the applications point of view to develop successful mass and niche products with energy supply from fuel cells. In the discussion there was shown some application specification and opportunities for fuel cells at the company. It is necessary to provide an advantage for a new and reliable energy source in applications to the customer. High efficiency of the fuel cell is only one interesting feature of this technology that is demonstrated. The possibilities are marked up to make notebook computers wireless with fuel cell systems, to provide energy for a full working day or to make a handicapped person independent from the charging times at the power grid and be a range extender for a long day trip in the environment. It´s not the intend to replace batteries in total. We prefer to set up hybrid systems that give an opportunity to combine the advantages of the different technologies to improve the energy solution for different products designs. The fuel cell technology must be competitive with existing solutions of secondary batteries in view of supply with energy, cost and energy density. For this a design to cost and a removal of the lack of infrastructure is indispensable. A proved concept and standardised components like the adapter of the fuel is a milestone for a successful product launch. The legislation to use and refill the fuel must be clarified for a product. The regulation for the approval of fuel cell products must be worked out and confirmed to bring products to the European or world market. The application of fuel cells makes sense if an advantage for the products is obvious to justify the cost drawbacks above the premium sec- tor