Fuel cells: A technical, environmental, and economic outlook

In the pursuit of establishing a sustainable fuel cell (FC) energy system, this review highlights the necessity of examining the operational principles, technical details, environmental consequences, and economic concerns collectively. By adopting an integrated approach, the review research into various fuel cells types, extending their applications beyond transportation and evaluating their potential for seamless integration into sustainable practices. A detailed analysis of the technical aspects, including FC membranes, performance, and applications, is presented. The environmental impact of hydrogen generation through fuel cell/electrolyzer is quantitatively assessed, emphasizing a comparative emission footprint against traditional hydrogen generation methods. Economic considerations of fuel cell technology adoption are explored through an extensive examination of market growth and forecasts, and investments into the FC systems. Some flagship commercial projects of FC technology are also discussed along with their future prospective. The article concludes with a thorough analysis of challenges associated with FC adoption, encompassing membrane research, performance hurdles, infrastructure development, and application-specific challenges. This all-round review serves as an indispensable tool for academicians and policymakers, providing a directed and comprehensive FC perspective.