2) Fuel cells

•  Fuel cells are a very efficient way of producing electrical energy.
• Most fuel cells use hydrogen, but other fuels can be used.
• In a hydrogen fuel cell:

  • Hydrogen and oxygen are supplied to the fuel cell.
  • The fuel is oxidised to produce a potential difference (voltage).
  • Overall, the hydrogen is oxidised to form water
• Rechargeable cells and batteries can be recharged because the chemical reactions that take place within them are reversed when an external electrical current is supplied.
• Traditional methods of producing electricity involve many stages and are less efficient and more polluting than fuel cells.
• Fuel cells have lots of advantages:

  • Hydrogen fuel cells produce water, which is non-polluting.
  • They are lightweight and small.
  • They have no moving parts so are very unlikely to break down.
• Fuel cells are a very efficient way of producing electrical energy.
• The fuel is oxidised electrochemically to produce a potential difference or voltage.