Fuel cells are an environmentally friendly technology that only emits water vapour to the atmosphere - quite rightly so and a good reason to further develop their reliability in everyday operation and move them towards market entry.
Nevertheless, even environmentally benign technology must be questioned with respect to the life cycle impact on the environment. After all, many materials used today are "exotic" and little information is publicly available on potential pitfalls in mining and manufacturing processes. Fuel cell developers need tools to be able to evaluate and optimise the impact of their products. This allows the design of products to the eco-design requirements of minimal harm done to the environment. Replacing one material by another may result in considerable savings in impact and emissions. Similarly, the source and production process of the hydrogen fuel needs careful analysis to calculate the direct and indirect emissions during fuel cell operation.
The European funded project FC-HyGuide has taken up the task of compiling data and work sheets for the environmental analysis of fuel cells and hydrogen production. Project developers and evaluators are to receive clear guidelines how to assess their projects using simplified and well structured tools. Recently the first drafts were presented to experts in Brussels and intensely discussed.
In the project, PLANET closely cooperates with the universities of Naples, Split, Graz and Athens, in order to compile data and work sheets for different fuel cell types. PLANET contributes knowledge on materials and manufacturing processes of fuel cell systems and its extensive know how in environmental analysis. The fuel cell related part of the project is coordinated by the Italian research organisation ENEA.
The work sheets developed encompass all materials and process steps leading up to a fuel cell system, emissions from operation (direct and indirect), and even the processes of recycling the units after end-of-life is reached. The sheets can be applied to many fuel cell types, including those employed in Oldenburg and surroundings in residential buildings.
Further information on the project:
www.planet-energie.de/gb/planet/Projekte/fchyguide.html www.fc-hyguide.eu
