Fuel cell industry on the verge of rapid growth
May 24, 2012Price of natural gas drops, giving fuel cells a chance to shine
The price for natural gas is dropping rapidly, which could spell success for makers of hydrogen fuel cells. Many conventional fuel cell models derive power from natural gas. As such, the growth of the fuel cell industry has been inexorably tied to the value of the fuel. FuelCell Energy, a leading manufacturer of hydrogen fuel cells, may be the first company in its industry to capitalize on the dropping price of natural gas. The company is working to use the plunging cost of the fuel to drive sales.
Fuel cells begin to overcome their past hurdles
Hydrogen fuel cells have experienced a great deal of struggle over the past decade. As a technology, fuel cells are often subjected to both criticism and praise. As an energy system, however, praise is often overshadowed by the glaring problems inherent in the technology. Manufacturers and scientists have been working on solving the problems with hydrogen fuel cells for years, making significant progress recently. Dan Reicher of Stanford University notes that fuel cells are beginning to show signs that they have beaten the struggles of the past.
FuelCell Energy to use low natural gas prices as a selling point
The dropping price of natural gas is expected to put fuel cells on even footing with conventional energy systems and other forms of alternative energy. While fuel cells themselves can be somewhat expensive, the cost of their adoption is likely to be offset by the price of natural gas. For FuelCell Energy, this could mean more sales.
The Golden Age of fuel cells may be here
The manufacturer believes that hydrogen fuel cells are a viable replacement for traditional energy systems. Last year, the company’s profits exceeded its manufacturing costs for the first time. This is due, in part, to more sophisticated production technologies but the price of natural gas played a factor in the accomplishment as well. With production and fuel costs falling, the hydrogen fuel cell industry may be on the verge of a veritable Golden Age.