Fuel Cell Technology

A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device to produce electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen into water. Like batteries, fuel cells convert potential chemical energy into electrical energy and generate heat as a by-product. Fuel cell power plants can directly harness the methane in the biogas to fuel the power system in lieu of using natural gas, thus making the biogas a renewable energy source. Fuel cell systems can be 47% efficient in the generation of electrical power and up to 80% efficient overall in Combined Heat and Power ( CHP ) applications when the available waste heat is recovered and used. Typical fossil fuel-powered plants operate at about 35% mechanical to electrical conversion efficiency.