Perhaps somewhat counterintuitive to the layperson, the first commercial fuel cells have been introduced for large-scale applications. Stationary power plants are being installed all across the globe. As the cost of such systems decreases and reliability increases, large-scale fuel cells will begin to be used for residential power. One fairly obvious operating concern is how to provide the fuel to resi­dential areas. It is doubtful that such systems would operate on direct hydrogen, just as the large-scale industrial fuel cells being used today do not. Possibilities include using natural gas or piping in other liquid fuels such as methanol or ethanol using the existing infrastructure.

CONCLUSION

It would be hard for anyone to deny that energy is one of the most important issues at the start of 21st century. Energy is at the root of the major conflicts of our time as well as the catalyst for previously disadvantaged society’s emergence into modern culture. As energy demand increases at staggering rates, the murmur for alternative energy technologies is quickly turning into a scream.

REFERENCES

1. U. S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Review, 2003.

2. Darnell Group Report to the U. S. Fuel Cell Council, Jan. 2003.

3. Valdes, J., The World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, Orlando, FL, Apr. 21-23, 2004.

[1] This chapter is broadly based on Hamelinck, C. N. and Faaij, A. P.C., Future prospects for production of methanol and hydrogen from biomass, Journal of Power Sources, 111, 1, 1-22, 2002.

[2] In Europe methanol may be blended in regular gasoline up to 5% by volume without notice to the consumer. Higher blends are possible like M85 (85% methanol with 15% gasoline) but would require adaptations in cars or specially developed cars. Moreover, blends higher than 5% require adaptations in the distribution of fuels to gas stations and at the gas stations themselves. Pure methanol is sometimes used as racing fuel, such as in the Indianapolis 500.

[3] Methanol can be the source for hydrogen via on board reforming. Direct methanol fuel cells are under development that can directly process methanol (van den Hoed 2004).

[4] Mention of trade names or commercial products in this chapter is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

[5] Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.