Hydrogen Fuel Cells: On-Site Energy Generation

Fuel cells have been used to generate electricity since the 1930s, but new technology is now making them a viable clean energy resource. Although they require hydrogen—which can be created from renewable or conventional energy sources—fuel cells offer both noise- and pollution-free distributed power.  When waste heat is captured and re-used, fuel cells can more than double the efficiency of traditional combustion technologies. Fuel cell technology remains expensive, although a 30 percent federal tax credit, combined with state incentives, significantly reduces their cost.