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Fuel Cells, A Technology Forecast

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Implications for Texas Community and Technical Colleges.
Authored By: Dr. John Vanston and Henry Elliott.
Program Director: Michael A. Bettersworth
90 Pages
Published June 2003.

Over the last decade, interest in fuel cell technology has grown steadily and projections of future progress have been increasingly optimistic. The practical applications for fuel cells fall into two general categories-power for vehicles (primarily automobiles) and production of electric power. The development of a significant fuel cell automobile industry will require extensive retooling of current production lines; the development of hydrogen production, storage, and distribution systems; advances in technology sufficient to compete with a mature internal combustion system; and acceptance of the public of an unfamiliar technology. There are few employment opportunities for automotive fuel cell specialists within the next three to eight years. The situation for electric power fuel cells as it applies to CTCs is quite different. There are driving forces in place that could result in a viable fuel cell power industry in the relatively near future. In general, fuel cell systems are more expensive, have shorter operating lives, and are less well understood than traditional generating sources. However, there are certain situations, such as in mines and other restricted working areas, where fuel cells provide special, almost essential characteristics. There are other situations, such as areas with particularly difficult environmental problems or where cheap hydrogen is available, in which fuel cells offer distinct advantages. There are indications that fuel cell costs are nearing the point where they will be cost effective in these situations.

Preface	v
Acknowledgments	vi
General Observations	1
Workforce Implications	5
Training Strategies for Community and Technical Colleges	9
Current Texas Fuel Cell Activities	13
State Government Activities	13
Proposed Fuel Cell Legislation	16
Demonstration Projects	17
Fuel Cell Education and Advocacy Groups	23
Planned Fuel Cell Activities	26
Current State of Fuel Cell Technology	27
How Fuel Cells Work	27
Fuel Cell Technologies	29
Fuel Cell Forecasts	37
Forecast Underpinnings	37
Applications	37
Forecast of Commercialization	39
Background Information	40
Potential Impacting Factors	51
Accelerators	51
Decelerators	53
Final Comments	55
List of Appendices
Appendix A: Overview of Develop a Curriculum (DACUM) Meeting	59
Appendix B: DACUM	64
Appendix C: DACUM Meeting Participants	68
Appendix D: Reports and Studies Utilized	70
Appendix E: Experts Interviewed	72
Appendix F: Selected Fuel Cell Companies	73
Appendix G: Current Highway Vehicle Fuel Cell Projects	79
List of Tables
Table 1: The Five Most Promising Fuel Cell Types	30
Table 2: Forecast of Fuel Cell Use	39
List of Figures
Figure 1: Projected Texas Fuel Cell MW Targets	14
Figure 2: Brooks City Base Project	18
Figure 3: Laughlin Air Force Base, Building Application: Hospital	21
Figure 4: Rebekah Baines Johnson Health Center	22
Figure 5: Texas State Technical College Waco Fuel Cell	25
Figure 6: Fuel Cell Reformer	27
Figure 7: Schematic of an Acid-Electrolyte Fuel Cell	29
Figure 8: PEM Fuel Cell	31
Figure 9: PAFC Fuel Cell	32
Figure 10: Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells	34
Figure 11: Solid Oxide Fuel Cells	35
Figure 12: Capital Cost per kW of Capacity	41
Figure 13: Projected Cost Curve (per kW of Installed Capacity)	42
Figure 14: US Oil Use for Transportation	44
Figure 15: ZEbus (Zero Emission Bus)	46
Figure 16: Fuel Cell Power Plant for the Space Shuttle	47
Figure 17: Fuel Cell Powered Toyota Highlander	48
Figure 18: Portable Direct Methanol Fuel Cell	50

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Fuel Cells, A Technology Forecast

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