While hydrogen based fuel cells remain in the popular imagination as a potential technical fix to solve the climate change problem, there exists a slew of hydrocarbon based fuel cells already in action.

So should we invest in and support these market ready energy sources? Even if they need to be “filled up” with natural gas, methane, or ethanol — knowing they will emit greenhouse gasses?

For stationary applications this may actually make sense. As electricity sources diversify and the old fashioned grid (de)evolves, institutions, hospitals, hotels, and factories may have several sources of electricity.

For example, a potato chip factory, in order to capitalize in “green” incentives and certification, may have solar panels on their roof, wind turbines in their parking lot, burn plant waste for heat, and have a hydrocarbon fuel cell on hand to provide base electricity and additional heat (they run hot) when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining. They could even sell additional power back to the grid. This example is all real and possible with current market ready technologies.

The fuel cell will still emit carbon dioxide and contribute to climate change but, it will use the carbon in a high efficiency manner, and fill the factories energy gaps left by wind and solar. Additionally this scheme lessens the need for the energy from coal plants.

In another interesting twist, hydrocarbon fuel cells can use methane as a reactant. Methane is a longer lasting greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Major sources of methane in the US are waste water (sewage) treatment facilities found in larger towns and cities. The anaerobic digestors clean our water but emit methane. A fuel cell can use that methane as a fuel, generate electricity, and emit carbon dioxide instead of the longer lasting methane. Additionally this technology is ready to go!

Breweries enter into the equation since the fermentation process produces effluent that can then be digested into methane. This isn’t even sci-fi! Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and other brewers are already using this technology!

Next time you visit your local brewery, ask about their fuel cell.

Additional Information:
Pro Fuel Cell Technology
Department of Energy
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.