The common misconception that many people still have about hydrogen fuel cells is that the up-front expense of the fuel cell solutions and the current price of the fuel itself would appear to make them “too expensive.” However, this assumption fails to take account of the capital and operating expenditure balance, and of hydrogen fuel cell technology’s huge potential benefits in terms of flexibility, resilience and — something which is increasingly important considering recent world events — energy security. Essentially, fuel cells using green hydrogen can offer independence from other nation’s fossil fuels.
The cost outlay of procuring hydrogen fuel cell solutions cannot be shied away from. However, once acquired the technology is remarkably low maintenance. Unlike a diesel generator, a hydrogen fuel cell has no complex working parts, and simply consists of an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. This is significantly less costly; the technology works on demand and with minimal maintenance hours required.
We must also consider the myriad potential applications of hydrogen fuel cells, and how they distinguish themselves from more traditional solutions. In fixed-site applications, the capital sunk into diesel generators spends most of its time sat idle. Diesel generators are typically only called upon to provide power in the short term; they operate as back-up when things go wrong (and consume considerable quantities of carbon-emitting fuel while doing so). An example is the provision of emergency power during grid outages for critical assets such as hospitals and data centres.
By contrast, hydrogen fuel cells can be operated right across the working day. In addition to providing a carbon-free and local emissions-free solution to energy needs when grids fail, hydrogen technology can cater for peak shaving needs (that is, providing extra energy capacity for short periods of time when demand exceeds supply from grid-based sources) and be used habitually to complement conventional energy sources when hydrogen is in ready supply, such as when it is a by-product of refining processes. This provides further benefits in terms of OPEX costs and their use continually at a very low power rate can be ramped up very quickly as and when necessary.
As catastrophic wildfire and hurricane seasons have ravaged both coasts of the United States this fall, one lesser-known killer has been on the loose: diesel-powered portable generators.
Improper use of these backup power sources — which occurs most commonly during grid outages caused by major climate events — is typically deadlier than weather alone. Fossil fuel generators release carbon monoxide, an odorless, tasteless, and transparent natural gas that can lead to suffocation.
In addition to being potentially deadly, diesel-powered generators are loud and bulky, and they release greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
Unfortunately, people will probably be turning to generators more often as climate disasters become more frequent. The good news is there are cleaner generators available. Here are three emission-free alternatives to a typical diesel-powered generator.
A greener alternative to the traditional gas-powered generator, solar-powered generators are steadily gaining in popularity in North America. Comprising two key parts — a set of solar panels and an internal storage system made up of photovoltaic cells, which catch, convert, and store sunlight as electricity — solar generators don’t emit any fossil fuels. They’re also cleaner, quieter, and safer than gas-powered generators.
While the upfront costs of a solar-powered generator can be hefty — prepare to shell out anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars for one — their maintenance costs over the course of their lifecycle are typically low. They have fewer moving parts than a fossil fuel-powered generator and won’t require a ton of upkeep for the duration of the solar cells’ lifecycle (typically 25 to 30 years). They come in a range of sizes: from as large as an outdoor home air conditioning unit to as small as a briefcase or boombox. They generally take longer to power than diesel generators, however, and are dependent on consistent sunny days, so keep this in mind upon purchase and use.
More commonly spotted in their larger forms on farms and in fields, wind turbines are manufactured at a smaller scale for plugging into a green generator and powering at-home projects. Though not suitable for all homes and geographic locations, home wind generators are great for those with large outdoor spaces and residents of the Midwest, where breezes are bountiful.
Wind turbines collect kinetic energy through the rotation of their propellers and store it in an attached generator. They typically cost anywhere from several hundred to a few thousand dollars, but are said to pay for themselves within a few years by their output. They’re relatively noisy compared to solar sources, but are completely green and emission-free, and therefore safer for general use than fossil fuel generators.
Unlike solar power, wind power can be collected at all hours of the day, but wind turbines’ space and location requirements make them far more prohibitive than rooftop panels. Installers recommend having winds of at least 12 miles per hour, on average, and a decent amount of outdoor space in which to install the turbines.
Also known as gasless generators, battery-powered generators are a greener, quieter alternative to traditional diesel-powered home generators. Rather than burning fossil fuels, battery-powered generators plug into an external power source (the electrical grid, a vehicle, or a solar panel, for instance) to collect and store electricity. Because they don’t use fuel, battery-powered generators don’t produce carbon monoxide or other emissions.
They’re also typically portable and are both convenient and completely safe for indoor use, so they’re your best bet to charge your lights and gadgets on your next camping trip. The average portable battery-powered generator is around the size of a countertop microwave and comes with a range of outlets, from standard 120-volt outlets to USB ports and direct current (DC) chargers. While battery-powered generators are top in terms of convenience and portability, they can take a while to charge, especially when plugged into a solar energy source, so give them at least overnight before use.