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Big power, small package

Portable Power

Portable Power
Fuel cells in action

What are Fuel Cells?

quiet, clean and highly efficient

Fuel cells generate electricity and will do so as long as fuel is supplied. Fuel cells are quiet, clean, and highly efficient because they use an electrochemical process not combustion to convert fuel directly into electricity. Fuel cells can operate on a wide range of fuels, from hydrogen to natural gas and propane, from methanol and ethanol to even chemical and metal hydrides.
Many of these fuels can be derived from renewable sources: methane from biomass for example, or hydrogen from solar or wind power. Wind and solar technologies generate intermittent electricity, but they are not always on; for instance solar panels do not generate electricity at night, and wind turbines cannot generate electricity when there is little or no wind. Fuel cells can solve this problem by converting power generated by wind and solar into hydrogen using a simple electrolyzer. This hydrogen can then be stored and used in a fuel cell whenever power is needed. Fuel cells enhance the performance and efficiency of all types of fuels, even fossil fuels.

How do fuel cells work?

Fuel cells generate electricity from a simple electrochemical reaction; harnessing the chemical attraction that hydrogen has for oxygen to generate electricity, water, and heat. Portable fuel cells mostly use proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology. There are two sides to a typical PEM fuel cellan anode and a cathodeseparated by a thin membrane. As fuel passes through the system, electricity is captured and water is formed as a byproduct. PEM technology is fuel flexible, and can use direct and reformed methanol fuels, direct and reformed borohydride fuels, hydrogen fuels and formic acid fuels. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are also being developed for portable applications. SOFCs are a particular type of fuel cell that uses an inorganic solid ceramic oxide as the electrolyte between the anode and the cathode. There are various advantages of each fuel cell type, as they range in operating temperature, materials, fuel, and applications.

Demand for Power

In a world where the simplest consumer mobile phone has more computing power than NASA had on board the first moon-lander, consumers and their personal electronics are hungry for power.
Growth in demand for personal power has been nothing short of amazing. In 1990, the average American needed only 500 Watt-hours of power for cell phones and other portable devices (enough to keep a 100-Watt light bulb on for five hours). Today, Motorola estimates each of us on average needs 10,500 Watt-hours: for cell phones, music players, cameras, game players and many other devices we use at work, at home and in our leisure time. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that nationwide, more than six percent of annual utility energy is used to power the more than 2.5 billion power devices used for charging consumer products such as cell phones, PDAs and the like. Powering these devices with clean, efficient, portable fuel cells will reduce grid power demand and pollution. But, it is not just our cell phones that need power. No longer a luxury, portable electricity is increasingly an essential part of our day-to-day lives for needs such as: emergency power for industrial sites, stores, offices and homes; emergency lighting and assured communications for first responders and medical professionals; life saving power for our military, including unmanned vehicles, air conditioning, refrigeration and lighting in the field, and power for individual service members personal equipment; playtime power for RVs, boats, campsites or tailgates; and power for garden equipment and hand tools. Increasingly, in all these applications and many others, portable fuel cells offer a competitive advantage in a market worth well over $100 billion. The reason is simple: batteries cannot provide enough power, run long enough, or charge fast enough. Fuel cells are new to these markets, but demand is growing. One independent analyst estimates portable fuel cell sales will reach $2.3 billion by 2016, a 10-fold increase in just five years.

an estimated $2.3 billion dollar market by 2016

Projected battery market growth

Fuel cells can compete for the entire battery market and have distinct advantages in many applications

Micro fuel cells

Micro Fuel Cells are a type of portable fuel cell. Micro fuel cells are very small and easily carried by hand.Their power and energy is limited to low voltage and lower power applications such as consumer electronics. Standards and regulations for micro fuel cells are different than for standard portable fuel cells since their voltage and power is so low.

What is a Portable Fuel Cell?

The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association defines portable fuel cells as systems that are easily transported or wearable, not permanently fixed, and capable of generating up to 3,000 Watts of power. Portable fuel cell systems include both a fuel cell and a source of hydrogen or hydrogen rich fuel, typically in a fuel cartridge, which can be refilled or replaced. The market is large, well-established and growing with sales of several hundred million units per year.

Fuel cartridges and fueling options

Fuel cartridges for portable fuel cell systems are designed to safely deliver fuel for a portable consumer product. Fuel cartridges all feature a valve, which opens to allow the fuel out only when connected to the fuel cell system. Fuel cartridge valves and connectors self-close if removed from the fuel cell system, preventing a partially-used cartridge from leaking. Many options are available for filling and refilling fuel cartridges. These solutions range from one-time use and disposal to exchanging an empty fuel cartridge for a full one, to self-filling automated refilling at kiosks or filling stations. For some systems, a consumer can or will be able to plug a fuel cartridge into a fuel cell system to provide power and replace it when empty. These cartridges are or will be designed in a few standard sizes/configurations and will be widely available from stores or even vending machines.

These systems can be stand-alone devices or integrated into other electronic devices. Stand-alone portable fuel cells generate electricity that is used directly as a source of energy. For example, at a campsite, combustion generators typically are used to power camping equipment such as stoves, but are loud and release toxic fumes. A fuel cell used as a generator would provide silent and clean power. Integrated portable fuel cell systems are hybrid systems that include a fuel cell along with another power source, like a rechargeable battery. In these hybrid systems, the battery can supply the initial high power demands of start-up, while the fuel cell can provide extended runtime the system will run as long as there is fuel, and refueling can be done in a matter of seconds.

Applications for Portable Fuel Cells

Portable fuel cells are beneficial because they can be used with, instead of, or as back-up to other types of power, be it battery or the grid.
Unique and Creative Power Alternatives
Portable fuel cells are very useful in areas where grid power is non-existent, unavailable or unreliable. Some portable fuel cells are hydrogen-powered generators with power output in the 45- to 2,000-Watt range. These systems can be lifesavers in natural emergencies such as hurricanes, earthquakes, fires and ice storms. These systems can provide reliable, high quality power in non-emergency situations too, such as at remote construction sites or even as a costeffective solution for lighted trade show displays.

Battery Replacement
Portable fuel cells can replace batteries in many applications. This includes a wide variety of devices such as television cameras, robotics, portable flashlights, cell phones, hearing aids, laptop computers, tools, remote controlled devices, unmanned vehicles on land, sea and air, personal vehicles, equipment for training and field operations, portable radios, surveillance, and drug enforcement activities.

Unique and Creative Power Alternatives

These applications are varied and numerous, including wireless multi-media systems, indoor surveillance, contaminant-free environmental sampling, barcode scanners, and other consumer devices. Unique applications for fuel cells are being explored at a rapidly expanding pace.

Battery Support
Portable fuel cells can be used to improve the performance of battery-based systems used when grid power is temporarily unavailable or unreliable. In this situation, portable fuel cell systems keep batteries charged quietly and efficiently. In leisure markets such as boating, recreational vehicles, or camping, this means the comfort of power without the noise of conventional generators. In emergency response, military, law enforcement, transportation safety, and surveillance markets, fuel cells bring the benefits of longer run time and smaller, lighter, quieter systems.

providing quiet, reliable, high quality power

Portable fuel cells can be used anytime, anywhere

What are the Benefits of Portable Fuel Cells?

Portable fuel cells are a clean, efficient, reliable, and cordless technology used for convenient power generation.
Convenient, On-Demand Power
Portable fuel cells can be used anytime, anywhere, without the need to plug a device into an electrical outlet. Commercially available portable fuel cell systems are predictable, boast continuous runtimes, and produce power output that does not degrade. This fact that fuel cells do not run down is one of their most significant benefits. They provide power as long as fuel is supplied. Portable fuel cell systems are powering devices off-grid without the environmental issues, bulk, noise or weight penalties of batteries and/or generators.

Green Technology
Portable fuel cells also have environmental benefits. Portable devices which are growing significantly in numbers are plugged into household sockets to get power from the grid or to recharge. Grid power supplies are highly inefficient, as low as 17-20%, and devices are often left plugged in, still drawing power, even when it is not turned on. Grid power is often derived from resources that pollute. In countries like the U.S., 55% of grid power is generated from burning coal. The result is more power demand, more pollution, and a larger electric bill for the consumer. Clean, efficient fuel cells address these problems in the best possible way by eliminating the need for dependence on grid power.

Life-Cycle Green
Portable applications of fuel cells not only reduce energy consumption through increased efficiency, but also reduce transmission losses because the power is generated close to the source of demand. The electricity that charges a cell phone battery, for instance, may be generated far from the point of use, and it must be transformed in order for it to travel through high voltage transmission lines. This transformation and transmission of the electricity causes loses that would be eliminated if the electricity were being generated where it was being used. Additionally, fuel cells generate much lower emissions than power generated via combustion, so there are fewer smog causing emissions and greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere.

Green Jobs
Commercializing portable fuel cell systems will produce jobs in development, manufacturing, marketing, sales and service. Most batteries today are manufactured overseas; fuel cells have the potential to be made in the U.S., bringing jobs back home. But those jobs are not guaranteed, as there is an intense international competition. A stronger public investment in fuel cells will allow America to keep its lead, and capture its share of green jobs, profits and energy security benefits.

No Cords Needed
Fuel cells allow consumers to enjoy a truly wire-less experience, carrying replacement fuel cartridges instead of power cords and adapters. By simply inserting a new fuel cartridge, in some systems even while the device continues to operate normally, a fuel cell will be recharged and able to run for many more hours.

Safe Use
The fuel supplied to portable fuel cells is from an external source (the fuel cartridge); while a batterys active materials must be stored inside the battery. Because of this, fuel cells have safety advantages over batteries, in that nothing will happen under even abnormal conditions such as an external short, overcharge or overload during a recharging process.

Light Weight
Portable fuel cartridges have a significant weight and volume advantage over batteries. Portable fuel cartridges carry higher energy content than any current battery, which means less weight and less bulk for the same energy supply. In order to double a fuel cells run time, a user only needs to double the amount of fuel (cartridges), rather than carrying a heavy second battery.

Life Saving Potential

Long run times, instant refueling capability, silent operation and light weight compared to batteries all add up to systems that can save lives. Power for first responders, such as ambulance and medical teams, firefighters, and other emergency response personnel, is critical. When peoples lives depend on it, a power supply that can be more mobile and last longer is a big plus.

Convenient, clean, safe power on-demand. Green technology, creating green jobs.

Possible military portable applications:

Individual service members power needs of sailors, marines, soldiers, airmen, etc. Field electronics such as computers & phones Camp & squad power Transportation including manned and unmanned vehicles for tactical combat, base/local transport, and support.

Military Applications
Fuel cells have the potential to dramatically change how the military carries out its missions, and how service members operate in the field. With the largest, most technologically advanced military in the world, the U.S. armed services use an immense amount of fuel and electricity, and any use of alternative energy would have positive effects on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to their environmental savings, fuel cells are of particular interest to the military because of unique technical features that can aid service members in the field.

The military has power needs that are quite different from commercial or residential applications. In a combat setting, stealth is of the utmost importance, since noise and heat signatures can be used to locate military personnel. Fuel cells have no moving parts and are extremely quiet with a low noise signature, making them more difficult to detect by remote infrared scanning. Batteries give off significant heat, but fuel cells can operate close to body temperature, reducing their heat signature. Due to their scalability and power output capabilities, fuel cells have been demonstrated and tested for use in numerous military applications. See the sidebar for more information and applications for portable fuel cells in all branches of the military.

quiet, lightweight, uninterrupted power

Military Applications
Military Need for Power.
Modern military systems use an increasing amount of power.The military is considering fuel cells to lighten the load that service members must carry while also extending run time and providing uninterrupted power. Advanced electronics are needed for modern missions. The batteries that power them today are heavy, and need to be replaced daily, and then recycled or safely disposed of. During Operation Iraqi Freedom for example, battery supplies barely met demand. Lives depend on the products workingfuel cells have no age-related downtime and do not degrade over time.They are uninterruptible power supplies.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are remote controlled or self-piloted aircraft that can be used to collect surveillance data or deploy weapons, all without putting service members in harms way. UAVs have been used since the 1950s, but technological advances have made UAVs an invaluable resource for modern warfare. Fuel cell powered UAVs can increase flight duration, are smaller, more flexible, and allow for more persistent surveillance, and improved search and rescue capabilities.

Unmanned Ground Vehicles

Fuel cell power systems have also proved advantageous for unmanned vehicles on land, or UGVs. UGVs are remote controlled vehicles that can gather surveillance information while keeping service members safe. To be useful, UGVs need to have a long enough range to get to mission critical areas, and they need to be able to power the necessary on-board electronics to gather data. Fuel cells have demonstrated dramatically increased range and mission time compared to batteries in UGVs, and achieved these improvements at a fraction of the cost.

Warfighters need power to operate increasingly sophisticated equipment and weaponry.

Warfighters may carry anywhere from 50 to 100 pounds in their packs, depending on mission and proximity to camp. Up to half of the weight may be batteries. Modern missions rely on advanced electronics, and less weight needed for power means more capability for the warfighter. During missions, warfighters already have a lot to contend with, and worrying about whether their electronics have enough power should not be a concern.

Silent Watch/Silent Camp

Fuel cell power systems can be used in silent watch and silent camp operations. As the name suggests, silent watch is when surveillance activities are undertaken in a stealth manner, and silent camp is when the whole camp goes dark and quiet. Fuel cells can be used in these instances to provide quiet power to on-board electronics of vehicles as well as provide reliable electricity to camps at a heat level far less detectable than batteries.

Forward bases need power for operations and defense.

Conventional generators are noisy and hot, and expose camps to detection because of high noise and heat signatures. Supplying fuel is difficult and expensive. Oil sources and prices are volatile, and lack of supply can limit operations. Batteries are heavy and need recharging. Local grids can be unreliable or vulnerable. Missions can be unpredictable and last much longer than anticipated, requiring backup power for longer periods of time. Logistics of moving and carrying fuel can limit combat operations.

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles and Naval Ships

Fuel cells offer increased capabilities to naval forces, as fuel cells can meet the unique power requirements of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). UUVs can provide the warfighter at sea with greater underwater surveillance and mine countermeasure capabilities not otherwise available.

Fuel cells are also important to the future of naval ships as they can increase fuel efficiency, while reducing fuel cost and be deployed in a distributed configuration. Currently, the engines on surface ships are located in a single, centralized spot, and if the engine is taken out or destroyed, the ship is disabled. Fuel cells can provide a decentralized shipboard power source allowing for greater design flexibility, while also increasing survivability in combat.

Looking Forward
Continued innovations in fuel cell technology will bring more powerful, reliable and lightweight fuel cells to power the future.

Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association

The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) is the advocacy organization dedicated to the commercialization of fuel cells and hydrogen energy technologies. FCHEA and its membership are at the forefront of efforts to transform the energy network, fundamentally altering the way energy is generated and used. Fuel cells and hydrogen technologies are being commercially deployed today to solve critical problems in our energy infrastructure and deliver clean, reliable power to leading edge corporate, academic and public sector users. FCHEA's membership represents the full spectrum of the supply chain from universities, government laboratories and agencies, trade associations, fuel cell materials, components and systems manufacturers, hydrogen producers and fuel distributors, utilities and other end users. For more information about the FCHEA, visit: www.fchea.org

Transforming the energy network

Fuel cell technology will continue to improve in the coming years to be smaller, more powerful and even more reliable. The most significant innovation that will occur will be the continued miniaturization of fuel cells, both in storage of fuel and in the system itself. As storage possibilities for hydrogen and other fuel sources of fuel cells is improved, the systems will become even more lightweight and will provide longer runtime. In addition, as fuel cells themselves continue to be miniaturized, they will be able to be integrated into electronic devices far more easily.

Conclusions
The portable fuel cell industry has made great strides in advancing fuel cell technology and preparing the marketplace for commercialization. Portable fuel cells are bringing power to market for use in applications that are becoming more and more necessary to our daily lives. Creative application of these fuel cells is almost unlimited in possibilities.

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