Fuel Cells: Filling the Renewable Electricity Gap

Fuel cells transform chemical energy from a fuel into electricity. The chemical reaction that happens inside the cell takes positively-charged hydrogen ions, and becomes electricity when combined with an oxidizing element like oxygen. (i.e. hydrogen + oxygen = H2O = Steam!)

These devices will be one of many energy storage options that will provide for the seamless flow of electricity from otherwise intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar.

The video below comes courtesy of the Environmental Defense Fund. It explains what a fuel cell is, how it works, and its practical application even in supplementing the electricity already on the grid. As you will see, Bloom Energy's fuel cells are unique for their size, resource-use efficiency, and lack of toxic byproducts such as acid.

To all of my American readers: I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. To all of my readers around the world: Thank you for stopping by and see you on December 1!