Hydrogen fuel cell (HC-100 model) made by Oy Hydrocell, 2007

A hydrogen fuel cell is a device that mixes hydrogen with oxygen to produce an electric current and water. A fuel cell works much like an electric battery, converting chemical energy into electrical energy using the movement of charged hydrogen ions across an electrolyte membrane to generate current. There they recombine with oxygen to produce water – a fuel cell’s only emission, alongside hot air.

The world needs to explore alternative sources of energy to fossil fuels and hydrogen is an exciting, emerging power source that emits no harmful greenhouse gases at the point of use.

The ‘hydrogen economy’ refers to the idea of transforming our existing hydrocarbon-based infrastructure – from static power generation to a full range of transportation applications – to run on hydrogen in order to cut carbon and carbon dioxide emissions. Everything from bikes, to cars, to lorries, to ships and even aeroplanes could soon be powered by hydrogen. The hydrogen fuel cell is a key technology in enabling the hydrogen economy to become a reality.

Hydrogen fuel cells come in many different shapes, sizes and specifications. The Oy Hydrocell HC-100 model here is a small, portable and light-weight version, with a tubular design. It has a wide range of possible applications, from charging traditional lead-acid batteries or small electronic devices, to being used directly as an electrical power source. It has been used in research and education, small industrial projects and in powering electric scooters and bicycles.