Application of Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Energy

Information

Application of Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Energy

Developing countries in this world have been using fossil fuels as an energy source. The use of energy sources derived from fossil fuels is certainly very wasteful. Because nobody ever knows when fossil fuels will eventually run out. Although fuel prices soar, the use of fuel from these fossils has never been reduced.

In this modern era, it’s time for us to think of a substitute for BBM. Fuel cell technology is one alternative. Fuel cell is a fuel with hydrogen base. This alternative fuel is an electronic device capable of converting free energy changes from an electronic reaction to electrical energy. The following is a further explanation of fuel cell energy.

Fuel Cell as Alternative Energy in Indonesia

The working principle of a fuel cell is to use an electrochemical process in which hydrogen and oxygen are used as fuel. The main component of the fuel cell consists of an electrolyte in the form of a special layer placed between two electrodes.

A chemical process called ion exchange occurs in the electrolyte and produces electricity and hot water. Fuel cells produce electrical energy without burning from the fuel, so there is no pollution in the use of this fuel cell.

Of course the use of this fuel cell is also not without constraints. When compared with batteries, these fuel cells not only store but also produce electrical energy continuously as long as there is a fuel supply. This is certainly an advantage of fuel cell energy. Efficacy and the absence of pollution produced. But the problem is in the process of producing hydrogen.

Although hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, its presence is bound by oxide compounds. So that to produce hydrogen energy, electricity is needed which is mostly produced from energy sources that cause pollution. Another problem that also arises is that if hydrogen becomes fuel it is about hydrogen distribution infrastructure to the user’s place.

In developed countries, this technology is no longer new. Examples include the United States (US), Japan, Germany, and England. These countries have been developing this technology since long. In Indonesia itself, what triggers the use of hydrogen as fuel is due to environmental issues and energy conservation.

Some vehicle manufacturers have also supported this campaign by producing vehicles with hydrogen fuel. One of them is General Motors (GM) which has released a prototype of a hydrogen-fuelled car. This car uses wafer-shaped tunnels that function to separate hydrogen atoms into protons and electrons. If the government does intend to replace fuel oil with fuel cells from hydrogen, then a comprehensive socialization should be carried out for all levels of society.

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