Fuel cells create electricity, usable heat, and water by combining hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen does not need to be available because commercial offerings run on natural gas, coal gas, propane and bio fuels, including methane. The cells internally extract the necessary hydrogen. They produce Direct Current (DC) electricity without the conventional combustion reaction, which is then converted into Alternating Current (AC) for use. Current fuel cells are generally stationary and used for large fixed locations like resorts, prisons, wastewater facilities, and manufacturing plants, although there are units currently available for smaller uses.
Smartly designed fuel cells maximize energy efficiency by creating electricity as well as usable heat from one clean source. Specifically developed to take advantage of the current fuel infrastructure, these fuel cells plumb to readily available natural gas and offer available power 24/7, day or night. Easily configurable, these units integrate seamlessly into existing or newly designed electrical and mechanical systems providing locally generated energy where and when it is needed. Unlike conventional grid-power sources that burn coal or gas and create an increased environmental burden, clean energy fuel cells create power with efficiency while offering a reduction in energy bills and a reduction in carbon emissions.