The environmental model assesses the environmental benefits of hydrogen and fuel cell applications compared with other conventional technologies. Use the interface below to select either the stationary or transportation application, then choose the power output or vehicle type to find out the potential emissions reductions using hydrogen and fuel cell technology.
Stationary power is the most mature application for fuel cells. Stationary fuel cell units are used for backup power, power for remote locations, stand-alone power plants for towns and cities, distributed generation for buildings, and co-generation (in which excess thermal energy from electricity generation is used for heat).
STATIONARY OUTPUT*
Potential Average Annual Emissions Reductions Using Fuel Cell Technology Compared to Existing New England Fossil Fuel Electric Generation
NOx (lbs)
44.49
SO2 (lbs)
161.73
CO2 (lbs)
35,187.08
Oil Equivalent Energy Savings (gal)
1,315.51
Stationary power is the most mature application for fuel cells. Stationary fuel cell units are used for backup power, power for remote locations, stand-alone power plants for towns and cities, distributed generation for buildings, and co-generation (in which excess thermal energy from electricity generation is used for heat).
STATIONARY OUTPUT*
Potential Average Annual Emissions Reductions Using Fuel Cell Technology Compared to Existing New England Fossil Fuel Electric Generation
NOx (lbs)
2,669.36
SO2 (lbs)
9,704.08
CO2 (lbs)
2,111,224.82
Oil Equivalent Energy Savings (gal)
78,930.37
Stationary power is the most mature application for fuel cells. Stationary fuel cell units are used for backup power, power for remote locations, stand-alone power plants for towns and cities, distributed generation for buildings, and co-generation (in which excess thermal energy from electricity generation is used for heat).
STATIONARY OUTPUT*
Potential Average Annual Emissions Reductions Using Fuel Cell Technology Compared to Existing New England Fossil Fuel Electric Generation
NOx (lbs)
3,523.20
SO2 (lbs)
12,938.78
CO2 (lbs)
2,814,966.43
Oil Equivalent Energy Savings (gal)
105,240.49
Stationary power is the most mature application for fuel cells. Stationary fuel cell units are used for backup power, power for remote locations, stand-alone power plants for towns and cities, distributed generation for buildings, and co-generation (in which excess thermal energy from electricity generation is used for heat).
STATIONARY OUTPUT*
Potential Average Annual Emissions Reductions Using Fuel Cell Technology Compared to Existing New England Fossil Fuel Electric Generation
NOx (lbs)
12,457.04
SO2 (lbs)
45,285.73
CO2 (lbs)
9,852,382.51
Oil Equivalent Energy Savings (gal)
368,341.70
Stationary power is the most mature application for fuel cells. Stationary fuel cell units are used for backup power, power for remote locations, stand-alone power plants for towns and cities, distributed generation for buildings, and co-generation (in which excess thermal energy from electricity generation is used for heat).
STATIONARY OUTPUT*
Potential Average Annual Emissions Reductions Using Fuel Cell Technology Compared to Existing New England Fossil Fuel Electric Generation
Fuel cells can be used to provide propulsion or auxiliary power for many transportation applications. Aside from spacecraft, which typically use alkaline fuel cells for onboard power, polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells are the primary type used in transportation.
TRANSPORTATION OUTPUT *
Potential Emissions Reductions Using Hydrogen Fuel Cell Propulsion Systems When Compared To A
NOx (lbs)
SO2 (lbs)
CO2 (lbs)
Gallon Equivalent Savings
* Model assumes availability of hydrogen from renewable resources
Comparison of Conventional Technology to Fuel Cell Technology
Conventional Passenger Car mile per gallon
29.3
Fuel Cell Passenger Car mile per gallon equivalent
74
Conventional Light Truck mile per gallon
21.5
Fuel Cell Light Truck mile per gallon equivalent
49.2
Conventional Transit Bus mile per gallon
3.86
Fuel Cell Transit Bus mile per gallon equivalent
7.04
GM Fuel Cell Equinox
Sources:
EPA's Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGrid) 2007 Version 1.1, Year 2005 Summary Tables
Fuel Cell Economic Development Plan: Hydrogen Roadmap, Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc, 2008
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Photographic Information Exchange:
Ford Fuel Cell Focus PIX 15708
National Fuel Cell Bus Program: Accelerated Testing Evaluation Report, U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration, January 2009
