Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Its Benefits

What is a Hydrogen Fuel cell?

As green hydrogen is hailed as the net zero emission fuel. Hydrogen Fuel cells are gaining a significant traction in the market. A hydrogen fuel cell uses electrochemical reactions (redox reaction) to produce electrical energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen. Along with electricity heat and water are produced as byproducts. Based on the type of electrolyte there are different types of Hydrogen Fuel Cell such as PEM Fuel Cell, AEM Fuel Cell, Alkaline Fuel Cell, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells etc.

How does a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Work?

Hydrogen fuel cell requires hydrogen and oxygen as fuel in order to produce electric current. Functioning of fuel cell is dependent on the electrolyte material used.

In a PEM fuel cell (Proton Electrolyte Membrane-based fuel cell), hydrogen is admitted at the anode and a chemical reaction occurs between hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a hydrogen ion and a free electron. The hydrogen ion diffused through the membrane to the cathode while the electron flows through a circuit to generate current and then combines to form water and heat as the only byproducts.

Overall reaction:

2H₂(g) + O₂(g) → 2H₂O(l)

Anode (Oxidation): Hydrogen gas loses electrons (is oxidized).

H₂(g) → 2H⁺(aq) + 2e⁻ (Acidic Medium)

Cathode (Reduction): Oxygen gas gains electrons (is reduced).

½O₂(g) + 2H⁺(aq) + 2e⁻ → H₂O(l) (Acidic Medium)

The overall process is called a redox reaction where simultaneous oxidation- loss of electrons at the anode and reduction - gain of electrons at the cathode occurs. These reactions are generally slow, so there is a need for catalysts such as platinum to speed up the reaction to give up electrical energy with water and heat as the by-product.

While the above holds good for an acidic electrolyte medium, as in PEM, it changes when the medium is alkaline, as in AEM Fuel Cells and Alkaline Fuel Cells.

The Alkaline Fuel Cells and AEM Fuel Cells produce electricity through the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen across an alkaline electrolyte, normally potassium hydroxide, producing hydroxide ions which passes from cathode to anode. At the anode, hydrogen reacts with hydroxide ion to release electrons and produce water. At the cathode, oxygen and water react with the released electrons to form more hydroxide ions, completing the cycle; meanwhile, electricity is produced as electrons travel through an external circuit.

Overall reaction:

2H₂(g) + O₂(g) → 2H₂O(l)

Anode (Oxidation): Hydrogen gas loses electrons (is oxidized).

2H₂(g) + 4OH⁻(aq) → 4H₂O(l) + 4e⁻ (Alkaline Medium)

Cathode (Reduction): Oxygen gas gains electrons (is reduced).

 O₂(g) + 2H₂O(l) + 4e⁻ → 4OH⁻(aq) (Alkaline Medium) 

Fig. Hydrogen Fuel Cell working

Types of Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Key Benefits of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

1. Zero Emission

Hydrogen Fuel Cells work by combining hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, leaving only water and heat as byproducts. If hydrogen is generated from renewable energy sources, then the entire energy cycle becomes almost zero-emission. That makes the fuel cell a zero-emission and clean power device.

2. High Efficiency 

Since the fuel cells directly convert chemical energy into electrical energy without any combustion process, they offer higher efficiencies than conventional thermal power systems. Efficiencies of fuel cell systems typically range from 40% to 65% and can exceed 80% when integrated with combined heat and power systems.

3. Energy Density and Storage Benefits

It is one of the fuels with the highest energy densities known, hence allowing for lengthy duration in energy storage without self-discharge losses common in batteries. Hydrogen can be stored in compressed, liquid, or solid-state forms over long periods with no degradation, unlike electrical storage systems. This enables fuel cells to fill the gap between intermittent renewable generation and continuous power demand, especially in off-grid and hybrid energy systems.

4. Weather independent Power Backup

Hydrogen Fuel Cells can provide highly reliable power independent of weather conditions. Their modular architecture allows scalable system design-from small backup units to multi-kilowatt grid-support installations. Fuel cells are increasingly used for critical infrastructure backup, microgrids, and remote power systems where uptime and resilience are of essence. Unlike diesel generators, they offer immediate startup with lower maintenance and zero local emissions.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells In Today’s Energy Landscape

Hydrogen Fuel Cells are a growing part of today’s energy landscape offering efficient and zero-emission power for transport (such as cars, buses, forklifts, drones etc.), stationary power (remote areas, backup for data centres etc.) and heavy industries complementing battery energy storage systems. Although challenges remain with high cost, infrastructure and technology.

Challenges and Limitations of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Despite their clean energy potential, hydrogen fuel cells face many technical, economical and infrastructural challenges.

• Hydrogen Production Facilities in Fuel Cell Adoption: A fuel cell can be considered clean energy source only if hydrogen production is done by clean energy resources such as renewable energy.
• High Hydrogen Production Cost: Green hydrogen produced via electrolysis is expensive due to high electricity consumption and electrolyzer capital costs.
• Storage and Transportation Complexity: Hydrogen’s low volumetric energy density requires high-pressure tanks, cryogenic storage, or solid-state systems, increasing cost and energy losses.
• Material and Catalyst Dependency: Many fuel cells rely on platinum-based catalysts, raising system cost and creating long-term durability concerns.
• Infrastructure Limitations: Limited hydrogen refuelling, distribution pipelines, and standardized safety frameworks restrict widespread deployment.
• Durability and Lifetime Challenges: Catalyst degradation, membrane aging, and thermal cycling affect long-term performance and maintenance requirements.
• High-Temperature System Constraints: SOFC and MCFC systems face long startup times, material stress, and complex thermal management.
• Safety Issues: Hydrogen’s flammability demands robust detection, ventilation, and safety protocols, increasing system design complexity.

Conclusion 

Hydrogen fuel cells are becoming a powerful pathway toward clean, efficient, and reliable energy systems. Their ability to generate electricity with minimal emissions positions them as a key technology for transportation, grid support, and future energy research. With continued innovation and infrastructure development, hydrogen fuel cells are set to play a critical role in the global energy transition.