Fuel Cell Technology and Market Opportunities

Abstract

This note can be used as an informational background reading on fuel cells, an environmentally attractive alternative technology for power generation and transportation. The note would be useful in courses on innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, environment, energy/power/transportation issues, or sustainable business. It explores fuel-cell technology, including its history, current and potential applications, fuel sources, environmental issues, and manufacturing challenges. The commercialization issues covered include performance requirements, time to market, costs, and other outside driving forces such as fuel-distribution infrastructure, power-generation reliability, and fuel prices. Fuel cells are an electrochemical energy source with the potential to take a significant market share from traditional electrical-power generation and automobile-propulsion technologies. Over the next decade, fuel cells may provide more reliable energy and cleaner air while decreasing dependence on fossil fuels for transportation and stationary applications. The note accompanies a case on fuel cells (UVA-ENT-0018).