Learn More about Fuel Cells
Here, you can find links to organizations and research efforts supporting fuel cell development. You can also learn more about fuel cell history, current research, and advancements in fuel cell technology from the informational resources listed. For Massachusetts-specific resources, see Fuel Cells in Massachusetts.
Organizations and programs
Renwable Energy Trust: Fuel Cell Initiative
The Renewable Energy Trust funded a number of projects in Massachusetts to explore the use of fuel cells in commercial applications. Here you can view in-depth studies about these projects and learn about a completed installation at the U.S. Coast Guard station on Cape Cod.
U.S. Fuel Cell Council
The U.S. Fuel Cell Council is a trade organization dedicated to promoting fuel cell development nationwide. Their website has a brief but useful explanation of how fuel cells work and where they are used today.
Hydrogen, Fuel Cell & Infrastructure Technologies Program
This U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) program’s website provides a comprehensive introduction to fuel cell technologies, comparisons of different technologies’ advantages and drawbacks, and information on market challenges. The site includes an animated introduction to how fuel cells work, along with links to educational resources (ABCs of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells).
Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Research
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a national laboratory of the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). On this site, NREL provides information on current fuel cell research initiatives and projects, energy analysis and tools, and links to searchable databases containing fuel cell publications and many other resources.
Fuel Cells & Vehicles
This U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program concentrates mainly on accelerating the development of fuel cell technologies for vehicles. The program’s website details EPA initiatives in this area.
Informational resources
Fuel Cells 2000
Fuel Cells 2000 is an activity of the nonprofit Breakthrough Technologies Institute. The website contains information on fuel cell basics, careers, news, and other resources. The site’s interactive maps allow users to search for universities with fuel cell courses and research programs, companies providing fuel cell products and services, and locations of fuel cell installations and vehicles.
How Stuff Works: How Fuel Cells Work
This site provides a good general overview of how fuel cells work in both building and transportation applications.