Fuel Cell-Based Renewable Energy Supply: Sustainable Energy for Isolated and Island Communities

There are large opportunities for the operation of fuel cells with renewable fuels in isolated and island communities. Hydrogen can be produced from the electrolysis of water using solar, wind and hydro electricity, while other fuels can be produced from the thermo-chemical or biological decomposition of biomass and waste. These can be upgraded to hydrogen or cleaned and used directly in fuel cells. Renewable fuel cell-based energy can be used in stand-alone or grid connected applications. It can provide independent power or complement variable renewable energy sources. Also, it can improve the economic and environmental performance of renewable energy systems and provide significant environmental and often economic benefits over non-renewable alternatives.